Blackbirds: Volume 1 [Hardcover]

Andre Coleman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 15, 2007

Set in the small Southern town of Dernier, Louisiana, during the Jim Crow era, "Blackbirds: Volume 1" tells the story of one summer in the lives of 16-year-old Joshua McCray, his siblings Lincoln and Rita and their parents Robert and Leona - The book is the first in a five volume set following one family from 1955-1970 as they struggle with race, justice, loss and the pain of growing up.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Blackbirds: Volume 1" is a haunting tale of loss, love, and redemption. Set in the deep south during a time not so long ago, Blackbirds follows the path of several unforgettable characters that will stay with you long after you've finished the book. -- --Julie Swayze - "Seth's Dominion" and "O'Reilly's Ring"

Taking a bold leap forward from his already-entertaining debut novel A Liars Tale, Andre Coleman undertakes the history of black America over the last 40 years through the eyes of one family, mixing the personal and the political while creating a work that could ultimately stand as the African-American Wonder Years. --Carl Kozlowski - Life the Final Frontier

Blackbirds Volume 1 follows the McCray family of Dernier, La., through hot summer days in 1955 and beyond. Little Richard shouts and Elvis is around the only white boy I ever seen make money by being compared to a colored man, as patriarch Robert McCray observes. Robert has stirred some controversy of his own, daring to buy a television and incurring the wrath of his white neighbors as well as the scorn and intrigue of his own community. But the larger story of Blackbirds is of the children, Lincoln and Joshua, and Volume 1 focuses on their lives with care, humor and a keen ear for dialogue. Historical events such as the murder of George Washington Lee, who dared to vote in the segregated Deep South, are interwoven with skill and concern, and the past breathes painful yet proud. --Susan Compo, Pasadena Weekly

About the Author

André Coleman has worked as a professional and freelance reporter for almost 20 years. His work has appeared in Black Voice News, the Daily News, the Burbank Leader, LA CityBeat, LA ValleyBeat, Out Front Magazine and the Pasadena Star-News. A lifelong resident of Altadena, CA. in 1998 he optioned his first screenplay. Currently he is the city reporter for the Pasadena Weekly. "I love the freedom of working for an alternative paper. People read it. At just about every daily paper, circulation is down. Most of them just regurgitate press releases and CNN, and even if they break it CNN will kill them on the follow-up story and give it more coverage in 24 hours than they can in a week. The alternatives are the voice of the people and cover the news CNN and the daily papers are afraid to touch." Coleman currently appears, and occasionally hosts, the political television show Newsrap on Thursday nights, and can be heard from 6 to 7 p.m. Sunday nights on the radio show Barry Gordon from Left Field with longtime actor and talk show host Barry Gordon. He is hard at work on his next novel, which should be out in the next two years Since childhood Coleman has had a love for books, art and film. He got real life lessons in politics in 1969 when his family became the first black family to move into an affluent neighborhood and the next year that school district, Pasadena Unified, became the first school district west of the Mississippi forced to implement court ordered busing. Coleman was one of the first children on the bus. "I am the black experience," he said. "From integration to excellence."

Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Razor7 Publishing; 1st edition (June 15, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0977379213
• ISBN-13: 978-0977379217
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,352,163 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The book stuck to my hands like glue..., July 8, 2007

By 

Vicki Wheeler (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Blackbirds: Volume 1 (Hardcover)

I couldn't put the book down, and, being a fast reader, I spent much of a luxurious weekend devouring the story, savoring every chapter. Mr. Coleman has once again used his powerful writing expertise to pull us straight into the simple lives of a strong black family, the McCrays, who are fraught with the day-to-day racial tensions which were so prevalent during Jim Crow. As the story develops, we read how every one of the vivid characters have such distinct personalities, yet they strengthen each other as a united family and stand together as a force to be reckoned with.

For many of us who have never understood the severity of racial inequality that has existed even in our own lifetimes, it is an eye-opening and heart-wrenching experience to read as each member of the McCray family becomes a hero in their own rights, yet the book never becomes preachy or heavy-handed. As I read more and more of the book, I wasn't ready for the story to be over, and while Volume II will hopefully be released in 2008, the ending of this particularly story still felt very satisfying. I enjoyed it so much that I will probably re-read it starting next week.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars History At It's Best, July 9, 2007

By 

Michelle Larks "Michelle" (Illinois) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Blackbirds: Volume 1 (Hardcover)

Black Birds Volume 1 was an excellent read. As soon as I finished reading the first page I was hooked. The author took a masterful literary command of his characters and their dilemmas from start to finish and when I finished reading the last page, I wanted more.

The characters were true to life during the struggles. Another plus was the author interjected sprinkles of African American history throughout the book which made the story line more enjoyable.

A MUST READ! I'm ready for volume 2.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Haunting Tale, February 27, 2008

By 

Malaika Tamu "Sweet n' Sassy" (New Jersey) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Blackbirds: Volume 1 (Hardcover)

This is the first novel I have read by Mr. André Coleman and I was TOTALLY caught up in seemingly true to life struggles of the McCray family. This AMAZING novel although fictional is filled with a few real-life accounts of African American history that made the story much more SATISFYING. I could not put this book down! The minute I started the first page, I wanted to continue reading until I found out what would become of this strong, black family, who had to wade through the daily racism, hatred and ignorance which was so common during Jim Crow. The characters are well developed and each one has a distinct personality of their own that is quite MEMORABLE. Throughout this novel the characters will take you on an emotional rollercoaster ride, at some point you feel the intensity of their anger, sadness, fear, and even the little bit of joy they experience as they are faced with several life-altering decisions that could either strengthen this family's bond or tear them apart. Despite some of the editing issues this book still had a smooth flow and a very engaging dialogue. I often found myself crying, laughing and cheering with this courageous family as they took us on an EYE-OPENING and often HEARTBREAKING journey through our past. Congratulations, Mr. Coleman! I will be anxiously awaiting Volume II, so that I can continue this quite intriguing and educational, although imaginary voyage through our history with the unforgettable McCray family! A Definite MUST Read!