Customer Reviews

How I Got Over: Clara Ward and the World-Famous Ward Singers

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The original Ward Singers are three strong, Black women who show the true integrity, fortitude, and legacy that belies the woman of color in America. For the understanding of my people I thank God that Willa Ward-Royster had the fortitude to persevere and complete this book. The Ward Singers fought, clawed, and starved to pave the way for our current gospel calvacade of stars today. Mama Gertrude was a fundamentalist steamroller who did wonders with the simple understandings that she grew up with. Clara was a prolific song writer/arranger and a tireless singer/work-aholic who had to work at fever pitch throughout her life to make even a small step away from that fundamentalist prison that she was born victim. Despite the slights from her own mother, Willarene remained selflessly loyal to the memory of her sister. As a sister Willa does protect the reader from much of Clara's activities and stories that do not directly intersect her performances. (You have to get those stories verbally from her contemporaries!) Clara should be proud that she liberated a generation. To deny her sexuality would be tantamount to denying her race. Look at her lyrics and her speeches: Clara still remains a Psalmist and a Prophet.

i was pleased that a book has finally been written about the ward singers. clara ward and the ward singers contributed much to the gospel sound. they were a major force in gospel music during the 1950's. this book is very reveals a lot of private information about clara ward and the ward family. mother ward was obviously in desperate need of psychaitric counseling. the book is very interesting and sure keeps you turning the page. It was very shocking to me to learn of clara's sexuality and alcoholism, but none the less she was a great performer. I do wish that willa had included better photographs of clara ward, because the ones that are in the book are not the most attractive. Also, I think the book is a little overpriced.

Yes! Finally after looking for Highways and Hedges to no avail, I found How I Got Over! Never got to meet the lady, but was deeply moved and influenced by her. Met Gertrude, however and one of the Ward Singers. I'm afraid what Willa says about Gert is true and not bias!

Nonetheless, my questions were answered as to why I always sensed a sadness in Clara's incredible delivery. My heart broke for her, and I understand what I'd been told and what I read about the alcoholism!!!! Yes, she was the greatest gospel singer ever, and lives on in my heart, memory and music.

I met Clara Ward in the '50s. I was impressed by her singing and her backup singers. I first saw her as a warm up group for Mitzi Gaynor at Melodyland, and later at Disneyland. I was impressed with the soul she had when she sang the Gospel Songs that gave me inspiration. I have never.'shouted' , but when she sang:It is no Secret What GOD Can Do' I was ready to shout. Let me tell you that I am a not an Afican American, but the soul she put in her song made me want to shout. Clara was the greatest Gospel singer that ever lived.

I found this book to be a great read...
I found triumph in the rise in popularity of the singing group from singing for freewill offerings to commanding thousands of dollars and packing stadiums.
But, I feel that it was a tragedy that Clara was never allow to live a normal existance and literally worked herself to death and that the musical copyrights of her music were literally given away by her mother.
I believe that if anything could be learned from this book is that life is tough all around both on the stage and off and that you have to just take life one day at time.

I read this because Clara Ward was a supporting character in the excellent biography of the legendary preacher, C. L. Franklin, "Singing in a Strange Land". I agree with other readers that Gertrude Ward was in serious need of extended psychiatric counseling and, very likely, an exorcism. It is beyond doubt that this dreadful woman worked her prodigously gifted daughter Clara to death and labored to deny her access to most human joys. "How I Got Over" is a real page-turner (I finished it in about 24 hours!). It gives the gospel world a bad image, but agrees with my experience (as a Christian) that the shameful private deeds of most pious Bible quoters could teach Hell's minions a few tricks. On the positive side, it (1) gives wonderful insight to the diabolical hardships Jim Crow imposed on Blacks (information most compelling in personal narratives), and (2) shows the magnitude of the debt owed to the Black church by lovers of 20th-century popular music. Despite the book's many virtues, it is obvious that Willa's depiction of Gertrude (and, perhaps, of Clara) is expurgated. For example, the unconscionably low compensation paid to the various Ward groups' supporting singers (and Willa herself) make one conjecture what those group members would have written about Gertrude and Clara.

i truly enjoyed reading the ward sister story. telling the story including the good, the bad and the ugly is an effective catharsis tool for the reader as well as the storyteller.

the book tells the behind the scenes story of many gospel music greats. psychologist tell us that secrets left untold can create unhealthy manifestations. i applaud ward for telling her truth. let us remember that all families and business associates have disagreements and challenges. however, may we never forget that the ward sisters were also pioneering business women, fashion trend setters, and civil rights advocates - activities unheard of in the early 20th century for women of color. though staying behind as administrator of the company may seem unglamorous, it can now be seen as a blessing because ms. ward is still alive to receive all of the accolades bestowed upon the ward singers!

i honor their courage. may we learn from their humanness in all its joy and pain. it is my prayer that this book can be a balm in gilead to heal the gospel herstory/history that we seek to hide, and strengthens the stories behind the music that we find great pride in sharing.

I'm a traditional black gospel music enthusiast so naturally I read anything that I think relates to the subject. Unfortunately, until recently, I've been a little naive concerning religious figures. The Ward Singers seem to be prime examples of "saying one thing, doing another" (and a good reason why I don't put much stock in "religious folk" any more). Christians might get a little upset by the image but people who like a good story won't. Mama Gertrude was evidently "touched in the head" but offered a good reason to keep turning the page! The only thing I found disconcerting was the epilogue by one of the musicians who worked with the singers. He negated all the bad about Mother Ward that the author (daughter, Willa) wrote! So, was mama a monster or was daughter exaggerating? Was this all a fabrication told by a jealous child who didn't get as much of the limelight as her more well-known sibling? Is Mama turning over in her grave! because she's been unjustly defamed? Who knows?! But (forgive me, Lord) it was fun reading.

I was only about seven years old when Clara Ward passed away so it's only been recently that I have discovered the music of Clara Ward. As far back as I can remember I've heard rumors that were somewhat unkind about Clara Ward. Willa Ward set the record straight. Willa stated very bluntly how she felt about some things that occurred but I in no way believe that she was out to slander her sister. She showed us that Clara did what she had to do in order to do what she had to do to make it through the day. It was evident to me that Willa loves Clara as deeply as one sister could love another. I believe this book was a tribute to the life and legacy of Clara Ward. It was intended to make Clara immortal and that is just what it was suppose to do. Almost 40 years after her death the name Clara Ward is doing in death what he did in life; bring controversy and excitement at the same time.

It is unfortunate that non-Christians who read the book are so judgmental. It is equally if not more unfortunate that Christians who read the book are just as judgmental as though they are brand-new and have never done anything wrong. I am saddened to read some of the vicious comments on YouTube directed at Willa Ward. If you read the book with an open mind you will see that she gave us a look into the life of the Ward family that we otherwise would have never known and Clara's name would simply fade off into history. My heart breaks for Ms. Clara because she lived such a sad and tormented life. My heart breaks for the world because we can never again experience the passion she brought to the stage nor will we ever hear the songs that were buried with her.

Firstly to all who judge! You are not God. Clara Ward, her mother Mrs. Gertrude Ward, her sister and the other memembers of the Ward Singers were Christians yes. And who are we to say otherwise. But we seem to be forgetting that they are humans also. No man, or child is infallible. Christ was the only perfect creature to walk this earth. And in daily living we are to be like Him the best we can. This biography on Clara Ward was similar to "Got To Tell It: Mahalia Jackson The Queen of Gospel" in that it was out to soil the character of women who work on the Lord's behalf. We forget that. These woman were doing the Lord's work...the disciples had their faults to did they not...Jesus himself was tempted. I think that Willa Ward should be ashamed of herself that her jealousy towards her sister or her grudges against her mother should cause her to paint such a picture of them. If they were indeed like that you should have left that to God to review. I offer the same advice to Jules Schwerin and Brother John Sellers who did a fine job at creating a story that has a whole lot of misinformation (on the part of the author, Schwerin) and makes you believe that Mahalia Jackson was one of the cruelest people that ever walked the face of the earth. Both books make no mention of the fact that both women aided younger gospel singers with their careers and took care of young mother less children. Or the fact that Mahalia helped to send 50 black kids to school. Clara Ward was a mother to Aretha Franklin and her siblings after their mother passed in 1952 and was deeply admired by youngsters like Diana Ross. Or that Mahalia was a good role model and the idol and godmother-like figure to Della Reese, Shirley Caeser, Dorothy Love Coates, Mavis Staples, James Cleveland and Aretha Franklin. I find that both books tend to be biased and unbalanced...one sided and unfare and not worth your money.