Customer Reviews

Don't Worry, Be NAPPY! : How To Grow Dreadlocks In America And Still Get Everything You Want

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

 

 

This book was more of a motivational speech than an actual hair guide on dreadlocks. There might have been one paragraph on actually locking your hair while the rest of the book is spent on the author's life and how he overcame the stares and looks to get a job he liked. There is also a section on being more educated on african culture, such as going to multicultural events and participating in black history month and kwanza. I already do these things so the last thing I need is someone telling me to do this just because I want dreadlocks. This book just wasn't worth it.

I was disappointed in this book because I felt the author may have mislead the reader with the title. The book is actually about his own personal experenciences in life with his dreadlocks - It's more like an autobiography. It does have a little information about how to care for your locs as well as your physical and mental well-being, but it wasn't exhaustive by any means. There is so much more information about how to start and maintain locs and he didn't even scratch the surface. BOTTOM LINE - If you want to hear the life story of a man with locs and his personal revelations...buy this book. But if you want concrete information about starting, maintaining, and (basically) living with locs...DON'T buy this book.

This book was not at all helpful! It was more stuff about the writer than dreadlocks. If he really has everything that he wants then why haven't we heard of this person! This is a book on how one person can talk about himself, there is very little help in this book and it is filled with errors. I suggest before anyone else purchase this book the aurthor make some big changes!

Some of the negative comments here are complaining about the lack of a "how to grow" in this book. No where does this book state that it is a HOW TO GROW dreads. This is a survivors guide. Sadly, we live in a society where we are judged by our appearance. If one has dreads people assume one smokes pot. People assume one is into alternative lifestyles. This book will help you survive and overcome those bigotries. This book is a good one for anyone doing anything left of center and being judged by society for it.

This book had very little to say about how to grow dreadlocks and much more to say about everything else. The only part of the book that I found at all interesting was the chapter in which the author told his story about how he decided to grow his locks, and the comments that people on his job were making while he was going through his process. It was also interesting to read about someone who started his locks using the freeform method (do nothing to the hair but wash and go).

However, as I read through the book, I became more and more irritated. Chapters such as "Dreadlocks and Finances", "Dreadlocks and Reading", and "Dreadlocks and Meditation" were useless to me. I'm paraphrasing on the chapter titles because I don't have the book any more, I threw it away. Those chapters did not have anything to do with dreadlocks. The author just gave his opinion on how you should live your life. I will listen to his opinion on dreadlocks, but the other stuff was too much.

Additionally, there are numerous typographical and editing errors. The illustrations look amateurish to me (and many actually imitate photos from the "Dreads" photo book). The typesetting of the book does not look neat. If you want to actually learn about locking your hair, I recommend "No Lye" by Tulani Kinard and "Lets Talk Hair" by Pamela Ferrell. These books only have one chapter each on locking the hair, but each is much more informative about the process.

If you want a simple, practical guide to help you achieve your goals of growing dreadlocks then you must pick up and read Jeffery Bradley's "Don't Worry, Be NAPPY!". Mr. Bradley helps you understand that true Dreadlocks are a way of life. This book is about growing dreadlocks for a lifetime, not FASHION where you "twist" them one weekend and take them down the next! He gives great examples of how he grew dreadlocks the all natural way from having absolutely no hair to locks down to his waist. The best part is how he shares his experiences of overcoming problems on the job, finding better jobs, family problems, and creating a business.

There are no pictures and very few illustrations because the truth of the matter is that dreadlocks are natural. Everyone hair is different and requires a different approach. The bottom line is, you must know your hair. I've save a lot of money and time because now I truly understand the essence of growing dreadlocks. It's not a fad, fashion, or selfish act. It's a way of life...a wonderful way of life. If you are looking for a book full of stock photo's of people with dreadlocks, this book is not for you. If you are looking for a book that will show you how to grow dreadlocks and live a properous life with them and deal with society, then BUY this book!

This manual is both educational and instructive. A practical guide for maintaining and living with a hairstyle that most in American society consider impractical. This book is full of good advice and even contains helpful diagrams. I am buying a copy for a friend!

This is a great book especially for those starting their locs. My locs are approximately 8 years old, very thick, and half way down my back. And you know what I discovered during this process? 1. Patience. 2. Self love. 3. White people generally respect me more than those that fry their hair trying to look like them.

Isn't it sad that we need to read books like this to get some self-esteem?America apparently doesn't give you self-esteem or everything you want.
This book is like having group therapy or interviewing other women,but it is not all black women's views.I am reviewng it because I think it is worth a read.

As you may or may not know African coily hair is quite unique in vision, texture, behaviour and probably in chemical make up too. Coily haired women around the world, go to the most extremes in terms of spending.
(Spending time, spending pain and the spending price to have African coily hair styled)
A hairstyle that we believe looks good or will help us to become socially and economically advanced.
Or maybe for our own self-esteem and maybe to attract the charms of a love interest.
Either way, psychologically and philosophically I believe that your hair is a reflection of the state of your consciousness, your internal beliefs and your relationship with the world.
What about exploring physics through african hair?
For example how much pressure, gravity and tension and tearing do we put our hair through by combing it?
let alone excessive harsh combing.
Mathematically speaking how many of you readers can tell me how many curls/coils per inch your hair has, and does it vary in coil and moisture?
Next question:When does the nature of the hair change and why?
(i know it does!)
It seems to me all these books on afro hair are good and I welcome it, but we still need to be more informed and they all seem to need better editing, just like Black American beauty magazines.I must campaign for better grammar and less air brushed photos!!!
It is as if we like to see ourselves falsely rather than the reality of what we are...
Black women need to demand more scientific reasoning from our books and be less competitive over black men which only fuels their egos and as a result probably creates more baby-mothers!!!
Sorry but I had to vent out my opinions.

I give this book three stars for the effort and time invested as a writer I know it takes time...
I maintain that it is still worth reading,more than any carcinogenic chemical so called hair treatment that you pay for.

Anyway what do I know I am a black african british woman!!!!
Most of you Americans think we in Britain have no trains or any kind of progressive development!!!
Anyway if I wrote my book answering my questions that I put to you how many of you would buy it?

My 20 year old patchouli smelling, wide spread panic following brother has some nappy,frizzy dreads. He needs this book in a bad way. I like good looking dreads and those that wear their good looking dreads while maintaining a full time job and contributing to society.
Should have found before I had to get my family wedding photos done!:)