Customer Reviews

A Country of Strangers: Blacks and Whites in America

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I found David Shiplers book to be very true and to the point. Being a person of color, I already know how we (people of color) feel about race relations. I found it most helpful to see it through the eyes of a white male. I have been tempted to buy a box of this book and carry it with me to give to people. I believe everyone should read this book and debate the content. Of course, not everyone will agree, but for those who are just beginning to explore race relations, this is a great introduction and a most interesting read.

Mr. Shipler does a fine job in this book at examining how race impacts numerous situations in America. He leaves out, for the most part, Hispanics, Asian-Americans, Native Americans and other groups, in his focus on white and black, and readily acknowledges this - since that division is the one most discussed, it begs the most attention. A good analysis of race in the military, in education, in the workplace, in the family, in the communities - in basically every situation - is contained within this book. Mr. Shipler writes with a journalist's style, letting the voices of many different people be heard, without imposing his own too often. Well-researched, well-written and most definitely recommended. Books on racial issues are very common, but this one seems to stand out among them in many ways.

As the white father of black/white inter-racial children, I needed to better understand some of the reasons and motivations driving racist behavior. Shipler's book took me through several on-point situations that have arisen in my life and enabled me to understand how "color-blind" people can continue to discriminate through their actions and deeds. Shipler's ability to observe and report without scathing judgemental attacks enhances the book's credibility. Our copy of the book now has many dog-eared pages that will be shared with friends, teachers and others. My decision to purchase the book is an interesting story: Our third grade daughter, returning from school recess with play-tossed hair, was told by her white teacher,"Gee, your hair looks like Don King's!". Even though our little girl had no idea who Don King was, we confronted the teacher about this inappropriate comment. The teacher was insulted that we could assume she was biased in any way. That evening, NPR interviewed Mr. Shipler, and the book was ordered from Amazon.com within the hour.Shipler's book points out that many of us are convinced we are not racist or biased, however, our upbringing and the input we have received living in a racist country leaves many of us with residual habits that are percieved by others as racist ways. These are very difficult habits or attitudes to change, however, his book should enable many readers to anticipate and prevent behavior that may be interpreted as insulting by those of different colors or cultures.

Three-fourths of the way through this book, I am blown away by what I have read so far. It is NOT an easy book to read, especially for someone like me, who has led a pretty sheltered life. Although I knew about 'slavery' and "civil rights' and thought myself to be pretty educated, this book makes me realize that I have known NOTHING of the real world,the one that African-Americans, and other oppressed people, live in. I really appreciate the chance that this book has given me to see the world and live the day through their eyes. I find myself thinking about it all the time--do blacks really think of me like THAT? I wonder. Do I ever do THIS unconsiously? This is the kind of book that makes you ache for company to discuss it; to debate it; to share. If you belong to a book club, this should be your next read! I cannot say enough about how it has stirred my emotions, my imagination, my shame, and my sadness.

Shipler's book shows how polarized race relations are in this country. He is not afraid of confronting stereotypes perceived by blacks and whites. Shipler does not take sides and presents harsh, yet honest feelings on how blacks and whites feel about one another. Its about time race relations is addressed in such a realistic manner. The politicians and media tend to sugercoat the hostilities and mistrust that exist between the races. If Mr. Shipler is so inclined to write another book, I'd like for him to address race relations to include issues concerning Asians and Hispanics.

Shipler has compiled a great deal of first person accounts and analyzed them in such a way that the reader cannot deny the truthfulness and depth of the arguments. A must read for all.

David Shipler has truly unvieled truths that the educational system in America has truly miseducated millions of people on the history of Blacks. Until we accept black history wholeheartedley into American history, blacks and whites will remain forever strangers. I've read at least one third of the book and I'm truly amazed at the extensive research shipley has done. I've discovered in his book some artifacts of black history that have long since been conviently left out of America's classrooms.
The book details the stupidity of racism and what it has cost this nation. I especially enjoyed the text on President Thomas Jefferson and his intimate relationship with a black women Mary Hemmings. It's a shame that Jefferson did not take care of all the children he fathered and some of his black decendents today are still fighting for recognition. By today's standards, Jefferson would be considered a dead-beat dad. This book will shatter the clay foundation of traditional education and have you wondering why you were decieved, misinformed, and miseducated. Americal will never have a black President until the conspiracy to distort history is stopped. This book is a starting place for anyone interested in getting at the truth about blacks in America and this book is a starting place for whites to begin the search for their black relatives in their families. Until the search begins we will always remain a country of strangers enslaved by ignorance. America this bible verse is for you, You shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free. In this book, many interracial couples feel they are the ones who will be the best hope for Americas future because they have the best of both the black and white world.

A friend of mine, who happens to be black, gave me this book. I am a 30yr old typical white male. After I read it I asked him why he wanted me to read it as it basically made me out to be a racist, no matter what my actions said otherwise. He said that books like this and their authors are the reason that their will never be any real equality in this country. Mr. Shipler likes to paint anyone of european decent with a "broad brush" in this book. My generation and the generations following me have a very different view of this world. We recognize the horrible injustices done in the past however we do not dwell on them. We recognize a person by the quality of their character rather than the color of their skin. Dr. King's message seems to have been lost on Mr. Shipler.

One realizes that Mr. Shipler means well, but I found this book extremely patriarchal in both content and objective. I am not a member of the white race, nor am I male, so I am not particularly charmed by Shipler's eurocentric paradigms. While some of us are challenging the racism of white people on all fronts, others, who lack both courage and conviction, are trying to find ways of blaming African-Americans for their sufferings while the white male author tries to take credit for recognizing this. Mr. Shipler would perhaps have done a better job had he been willing to take the testimony of African-Americans at face value, instead of imposing his own misgivings about his own racial narrative.