Les Brownlee: The Autobiography of a Pioneering African-American Journalist [Paperback]

Les Brownlee (Author), John Kass (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2007

Raised by a single mother in a racist Chicago suburb, Les Brownlee overcame hardships to become a journalism pioneer and educator. Though he lived in an era when most people of color were held back in both career and education, Brownlee played football for the University of Wisconsin, fought as an artillery officer in World War II, and launched a career in journalism that spanned 60 years. Throughout his life, Brownlee opened many new doors for the African American community, breaking into daily news reporting and television reporting and becoming a TV executive-all firsts for a person of color.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Brownlee's career of more than 60 years includes work at Ebony magazine, a local Chicago black newspaper, and the Chicago ABC affiliate. Over the course of a career that began in the late 1940s, Brownlee racked up a string of firsts: the first black to join the fraternity that later became the Society for Professional Journalists; the first black to work for a major Chicago newspaper, the Chicago Daily News. Brownlee witnessed and reported on the turbulence of urban life, vote fraud, construction of the first public housing, and the 1968 Democratic convention. In the course of his career, he recalls meeting famous people, including Martin Luther King Jr., Eleanor Roosevelt, and Duke Ellington, as well as the characters that populate urban areas, from hustlers to ward heelers. Brownlee offers a personal and inspiring look at a long and distinguished career, recalling the achievements as well as the disappointments of working in the media and its coverage of race issues. Vanessa Bush
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

"Encountering Les Brownlee's autobiography is like discovering a highly personalized treasure of a manuscript in the attic."  —Kenan Heise, author, Chicago the Beautiful: A City's Rebirth

"Written with candor and alacrity."  —Chicago Sun Times

"The groundbreaking journalist’s memoir chronicles his courageous journey through a childhood marred by racism and poverty to a lifetime of accomplishments."  —Ebony

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 220 pages
• Publisher: Marion Street Press, LLC (September 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1933338296
• ISBN-13: 978-1933338293
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,764,206 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Les Brownless: The Autobiography of a Pioneering African-American Journalist, May 27, 2007

By 

C. Stoyke Linnell (Naperville, IL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Les Brownlee: The Autobiography of a Pioneering African-American Journalist (Hardcover)

The book is amazing! It's like a visit with our good friend Les Brownlee. You sense his reassurance we can make anything of our lives. You can almost hear his rich laughter and storytelling that made us smile.

The life Les lead in his turbulent time offers an insight into a life well lived. There are photos, recipes and a wonderful article "The most lethal poison is doubt." Les explained that "the challenge for us is to keep presenting a positive image of success in front of all who are afflicted..." Well, Les, I'm ready "now on this next play..." Thanks!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A true American Hero, March 20, 2007

By 

Robert J. Chiarito Jr. "Bob Chiarito" (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Les Brownlee: The Autobiography of a Pioneering African-American Journalist (Hardcover)

I just bought Les Brownlee's autobiography and read it in a day, as I couldn't put it down once I cracked it open. I was a former student of Brownlee's and good friend and reading his book was like listening to one of his great stories --of which he had millions!

At the bookstore this book is located in African-American Studies. It should be located in American History because Les' story transends race. I'm not going to rehash Les Brownlee's lifestory -- buy and read the book for that. I just want to say only in America can someone overcome what Brownlee went through with courage and grace and then move on to help others who came after him!

This book really is a must read for anyone who needs a little inspiration. I only wish the book was longer! Of course, I also wish my friend was still around to sign it for me.

-Bob Chiarito