Customer Reviews

From the Soul: Stories of Great Black Parents and the Lives They Gave Us

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I JUST FINISHED THIS NOVEL. IT WAS EXHILARATING. The collection of short stories were all written interestingly and filled with deep compassion. I enjoyed this book and commend the author with a JOB WELL DONE. I am honored to know that some one speaks out on proud Black families that have accomplished goals in life basically because of parents that care, love and support. I just wish my family could have been included. For three generations, each of my maternal family members received their BA or BS degrees with most acquiring masters, PhD's, MD's, DDs's and JD's. I recommend this book to all present day parents who have children because a lot of parenting tips are offered.

This page turning tribute focuses on ten Black parents who were incredible role models for their children. At this time all are successful adults in various career fields. The author, Phyllis Y. Harris, a children's advocate in the New York City area interviewed mothers, fathers and children in order to show that self confidence, self respect and strong moral values should be instilled on the home front. The Black families came from a variety of economic classes and backgrounds, along with an array of settings. Some of the stories are set in urban cities, some in the rural south, as well as the Caribbean and overseas. After a year and a half of interviews, the novel shows that parental love, wisdom, emotional support and guidance are the prime guidelines for Black children to become successful adults in our society. The stories are tales of happy, sad, hard and good times. Every parent in America needs to read, then devour, comprehend and digest the significant messages of the poignant voices of the Black men, women, sons and daughters. It captivates the reader from start to finish. It inspires, encourages and transmits the fact that our Black children can all become successful and productive if and only when the parents are truly parents.

"From the Soul" is a dynamic book centering on the proud, extraordinary and well-defined legacy of the African-American family. Nikki Giovanni stated that the book hugs. I am in total agreement. However we, as Black parents need to hug it tight, real tight for the sake of our children.

Readincolor Reviewers
Emily Means-Willis

Phyllis Harris has done a remarkable job of capturing the love and commitment among family members in this book. While reading From the Soul, at times my eyes welled up with tears of both joy and sadness as I relived each individual's childhood with them. This is one of the best books I have read. I strongly recommend it

"From The Soul" reaches the soul of any person whose heart is open to others. Phyllis Harris does a fine job of telling these stories so that they read like the family stories they are rather than a sociology text. The views of family life put the reader inside the home, as it were, providing an ability to notice the many similarities between the people of different races and cultures.

The truly great black parents who dedicated their lives to giving their children better lives deserve more than credit; they deserve to be honored by all Americans for their contributions to our society, even in the face of more than their share of hardships. While I have not lived the African-American experience, Harris' stories brought to mind the dedication of my own parents and my immigrant grandparents in raising their children as good citizens of moral character while educating them well.

Ms. Harris provides a wealth of insights for those of us on the outside of the "hood", or black life, provided, of course, we are willing to look inside the doors she opens. I imagine the experience for black Americans reinforces their appreciation for those who rose above and worked around the obstacle course of prejudice. For all of us, it is a reminder of how much our parents did to give us better lives than they had.

From The Soul is a thoroughly enjoyable book that I wish everyone could read.

From the Soul might be a book about "Great Black Parents" but it can apply to all no matter their color, religion, nor origins. It teaches us the importance of family in world that at times can appear to be so cruel. It teaches us for giveness for those things which we can't control nor understand. It teaches us the importance of bonds and relations in a world that is so large and vast. Each reader can find one character or story that they relate to or identify with. This relation brings on memories, self-evaluation, and a flood of emotions. This is the strength of this book. Sublte yet touching!

A charming collection of stories -- covers a wide range of backgrounds and life settings. Standard societal examples of "success" and "failure" become irrelevant when looking through the eyes of children toward their parents. This book brought a new view and understanding of "Blackness" to this white reader.

The essays included in this wonderful book, are stories of the values, instilled in the writers from family members. ... I am sure some of the stories will make you think of your own family life growing up.

This book shares the struggles and triumphs of families from all works of life. It touched my soul and helped me to appreciate the lessons I learned and the love I received from my parents, my brother, my extended family, and my friends. Once I started this book, I could not put it down.

The characters in these vignettes stay with you. Since finishing the last of them I find myself thinking of the narrators like old friends, wanting to give this one or that one a ring to find out how they are doing, if their problems worked out. My favorite character is Big Head Eric's father. What a wealth of wisdom in this flawed character!