Customer Reviews

It Is Well with My Soul: The Extraordinary Life of a 106-Year-Old Woman

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"Ella Mae Cheeks Johnson's story is a marvel of surprises. This lively, highly intelligent woman who spent thirty-four of her last years in a senior retirement community never let her circumstances hold her back from satisfying a wide-ranging curiosity. The centenarian with a 'church lady' demeanor was reading books like Confessions of an Economic Hit Man! She lived to see so many of the last century's most startling changes and kept her balance through it all -- being orphaned at age four, living in the Jim Crow South, being taken in by neighbors, hearing W.E. B. Du Bois speak at Fisk, raising two sons on her own during the Second World War. She was not Everywoman, but someone with an immense and sparkling spirit. This is a Great read -- and not just for African American audiences."

When I read that Ella Mae Johnson had died right before this book was to be published, I thought how sad that she would not be here to receive well-deserved congratulations. She was a pioneer. The book chronicles the sorts of ups and downs you'd expect from 106 years on the planet, many of them in breaking down barriers as an African-American. It's really an inspiring story. . . and though she's no longer with us, at least her story survives!

Although this was not the most exciting book, and sometimes redundant, I felt it added to my life experience. Having grown up in a diverse neighborhood, I didn't see people of color having negative experiences. I was glad to have experienced this book. I was also astounded at the resiliency of this brilliant woman and feel she is genuinely blessed.

The title of this semi-autobiographical story is so appropriate. This little lady's life was a monument to what can be accomplished if one shakes the temptation to put on a "poor little me" attitude when adversity comes at an early age.. I highly recommended it, especially for young people. It's too bad that she died just before publication and could not be here for the accolades she deserves as a model for all.