Customer Reviews

With Ossie and Ruby: In This Life Together

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What a great glimpse into the lives of two beautiful people. I have always known these 2 were special but what confirmation!! A tenderly written life story. This sometimes hilarious book was a walk thru history and a true love story. I am changed.

This is by far the best book I have ever read. Ossie Davis says early in the text that his first love is writing. As a professional writer, I am amazed at the depth of his thoughts and eloquence with which he puts them together. Davis and Dee's memoirs are less like reading than enjoying a glorious symphony of essence of life. This is a must read for anyone who loves the English language.

When I was in college I had the very good fortune to attend several "An Evening with Ossie and Ruby" presentations on campus. These were a series of selected readings which Mr Davis and Ms Dee presented with honesty, skill and emotion. I became a fan at the first session. THey are people of talent, integrity, and human compassion.As a rule I do not read biographies but I had to read this book! and I am ever so glad I did.these are two people who broke barriers and reached new heights thus changing and improving both our culture and our arts. Their talent, commitment and perserverance is inspiring and reminds us that there are no small players in this drama called life.

This is by far one of the most beautiful memoirs ever written. Through the challenges they face they have acomplished so much in their outside life as well as within their own partnership of love and devotion. Such a positive book to read.

Also recommending: Books by Maya Angelou, The Color Purple, A Paper Life and Nightmares Echo

i've followed Ossie DAVIS&RUBY DEE for a long time.and this book is solid.overcoming Race,Class&Personal issues this couple have continued to thrive.i've followed MR.Davis's films such as Cotton COmes To Harlem.also him in Lets Do It Again.and Both of them in SPike Lee's Do The Right Thing&Jungle Fever.also hearing Mr.Davis doing Malcolm X's Eulogy Speech was moving near the end of the film Malcolm X.it's a powerful book hearing about Them overcoming so much and giving the world twice as much back.

I felt as if I were at a personal reading with Ruby Dee and Ossie Davis. The couple shared their most initimate moments with the reader. They are a couple which has withstood the test of time and their love for each other has no boundaries. They have been fighting racism and equality for many years and are still very involved. You go Ruby & Ossie.

Legendary husband and wife actors Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee tell, with much seriousness, whimsy and candor, their respective humble beginnings, their ultimate meeting and romance in the theater, and the struggles they faced as actors, as well as African-Americans in a time of civil and political change. Though they both sought success on the stage and screen, they were also influential in achieving rights for actors, as well as African-American during the Civil Rights Movement.

The pair mingled with the powerful on the Broadway stage (Howard da Silva, Lorraine Hansbury, etc.), rising stars of the movies (Sidney Poitier, Marlon Brando, John Cassavettes, Richard Widmark, to cite a few), and political powerhouses like Paul Robeson, Malcolm X, and Martin Luther King, Jr. Never afraid to voice their political views, the pair even became "persons of interest" during the Communist "witch hunts" of the fifties.

Davis and Dee also reveal interesting tidbits about their married life. Speaking of their "open marriage" is quite a surprise but as one reads on, it is discovered that "infidelity" was not something that was not the norm, just an understanding that should something occur outside the bonds of marriage, it would be honestly admitted.

The book's format allows each of the actors to reveal his/her take on common events in their lives. Both come across as truly unique yet complimentary and complementary of the other.

An informative appendix at the book's end provides the reader with all the theatrical, television, and stage productions, along with audio performances, made by them individually or together. Of course, it is incomplete, considering that that book was published six years ago, and both have had additional performances to add to their lengthy career.

Even though Ossie has since passed on, this reminiscence is a fitting tribute to him, as well as homage to both their marriage and their talents as thespians.

I love Ossie and Ruby. Their story is inspirational. They are true survivors. I loved hearing them tell their story in their own words. It was funny, touching and at times heart wrenching what they went through. They are true icons of not only African American history, but American history.

I am so glad I read Ruby Dee's biography on the internet or I would have never known that she and her (late) husband, Ossie Davis, had written memoirs together, recounting their 50(+) year relationship. This book is a combination of genuinely warm and humorous passages, as well as insightful, deeply profound and moving chapters. They literally have a dialogue together, at some points of the book, even gently (and not so gently) correcting each other on stories and minute details that the other omitted.

Not only is this book wonderful from an historic point of view (it delves into the Civil Rights Movement and Dee's and Davis' role in that, as well as their experiences with racism, discrimination and the struggle to succeed in their craft, as actors of color--particularly African-American actors), but we also get a sense of how these two great individuals came to be the amazing actors/writers/producers/directors that we know today. While Dee always knew she was going to be on stage, Davis was initially going to become a playwright (though, fate had different plans). Together, they had children, grandchildren, and multitudes of life adventures (with plenty of bumps and u-turns along the way). Some may be surprised (and shocked) by the fact that Ruby Dee and Ossie Davis had an open marriage, when their jobs took them on the road and away from each other. Surprisingly, this brought them closer together. This was unexpected, to me, and it was intriguing to read their take on that (controversial) marriage choice that they made mutually.

I really reccomend this book, and I think more people should know about it. These people are legends in their craft, and they are not only wonderful actors, but very talented writers. I look forward to reading Ruby Dee's "My One Good Nerve" from which she adapted a touring show by the same name, in 1996.

Good read for anyone that wants to see what can keep a marriage together for a few decades. Also, great perspective on why they are both of historical significance and should be more praised as icons.