Once upon a Time When We Were Colored [Illustrated] [Hardcover]

Clifton L. Taulbert (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 093303119X | ISBN-13: 978-0933031197 | Publication Date: October 1, 1995

A touching autobiography of a black man and his family in a small Mississippi town during the 1940s and 1950s. (Best Books for Senior High Readers )

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

A businessman included in Time magazine's recent issue on blacks "making it in white America," the author lives with his wife and children in Tulsa, Okla. It's a long way from tiny Glen Allen, Miss., where Taulbert grew up in the 1950s, a time and place he describes with love in this funny, sweet, touching memoir. Although his community knew the sting of discrimination, relations between white and colored were generally amicable. His cruellest memory of childhood occurred in Jackson, when he and his uncle were evicted from a circus by an usher: "This ain't the night for niggers." That is the only bitter note in a book about poor families who shared joys, sorrows and occasional treats in celebration of their heroes--Jackie Robinson, Marian Anderson, Joe Louis et al.--and about the author's triumph as an honor student in high school and college. Photos not seen by PW.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

YA-- In this touching autobiography, readers are treated to a view of life in a close, nurturing family in a small Mississippi town during the late 1940s and early 1950s. Taulbert writes of people who believed in hard work and had a strong sense of family pride and affection. There are special excursions to Greenville for frozen custard and hot french bread with his beloved ``Poppa;'' there is a long-anticipated trip to a tent show where he and his uncle are turned away because it is not the ``night for niggers.'' But always there is the strong presence of the church, the place for putting aside the misery of backbreaking labor and renewing faith in the future. Illustrated with family photographs, this book is a loving testimonial to Taulbert's family, with a very positive, endorsing message. Well written with good descriptions, it is a gem of a book.

Barbara Weathers, Duchesne Academy, Houston

Copyright 1989 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 154 pages
• Publisher: Council Oak Books (October 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 093303119X
• ISBN-13: 978-0933031197
• Product Dimensions: 7.3 x 5.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.1 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #722,572 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hope for humanity, November 14, 2001

By 

Charlotte A. Hu (San Antonio, TX, United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Once upon a Time When We Were Colored (Audio Cassette)

Clifton Taulbert gives me hope and inspiration as writer -- his words are so carefully crafted, his view of the world is sincere and filled with an uplifting vision. His vivid description leads me to believe that even in the midst of the chaos and destruction we now inhabit, humanity may yet find a path to a better world. He is a truly inspiring writer; this is a truly inspiring book!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars EXCELLENT BOOK!!!!!, April 13, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Once upon a Time When We Were Colored (Hardcover)

I really enjoyed this book. It helped me to see what living with segregation was like. I recommend this book for the younger generation, so they can see how far we have come and how blessed they are. This books also shows that you can be successful no matter where you are from. I would like to thank the writer for taking me back in time.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Sunday Passtime, June 9, 2004

By 

Roxe "RoLee" (Sacramento, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Once upon a Time When We Were Colored (Hardcover)

It's pouring down rain outside and the house is empty except for the dog and myself. I grabbed this book and didn't stop until I closed the cover. Good passtime. The story is real and the people are personable. This is the kind of story that can take you back to the good ole days.