Souls of My Brothers: Black Men Break Their Silence, Tell Their Truths and Heal Their Spirits [Paperback]

Candace Sandy (Author), Dawn Marie Daniels (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 26, 2003

A genuine reflection of the everyday lives of Black men from all walks of life, Souls of My Brothers is an inspirational collection of first-person narratives that details the unique journey of the Black man as he struggles to define himself in society and in the world. Bringing together contributors who are powerful politicians and everyday heroes; the famous and the infamous; husbands, educators, bus drivers, teachers, and fathers, this assemblage of commentaries, including those by Isaac Hayes, Mayor Willie Brown, and Coolio, illustrate the issues that affect each of their lives. With raw honesty, the contributors share experiences only their brothers can truly understand—from sex to spirituality, family to justice, money to power—and work to collectively heal the spirit and awaken a better understanding of the Black men in all of our lives.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In their follow-up to the Essence bestseller Souls of My Sisters, Daniels and Sandy gather contributions from black men-from actors, community organizers, party planners and ministers, from Coolio to Busta Rhymes to Mayor Willie Brown-to explore the challenges and triumphs of the African-American male experience. Like the previous book, this volume organizes first-person narratives into themed chapters (e.g. "Power and Respect"; "Your Blues Ain't Like Mine") introduced by brief editorial commentary, but primarily lets the men speak for themselves. Kevin Greene, the founder of an eponymous film production company, writes about the problem of absentee fathers, which he calls "a cancer eating away an entire culture"; singer Kenny Lattimore eulogizes his mother, who was "my biggest cheerleader, business partner, and confidante." Not all the essays feel focused: asset manager David King's "The Bottom Line" compresses his life into three pages and suffers from it; artist and columnist Kheven Lee LaGrone's speedy look at the word "pussy" fails to make a real argument. Still, this is a varied and fascinating gathering of voices, sure to be appreciated by women seeking an insight into their brothers, fathers, partners and sons, and perhaps even by some men looking for proof that their struggles are shared.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

...a moving collection of first-person narratives on the role of Black men... -- Ebony, September 2003

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 432 pages
• Publisher: Plume (August 26, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0452284600
• ISBN-13: 978-0452284609
• Product Dimensions: 6.1 x 0.9 x 8.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,151,207 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 Now we know what theyre really thinking, March 3, 2004

By 

The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers (RAWSISTAZ.com and BlackBookReviews.net) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Souls of My Brothers: Black Men Break Their Silence, Tell Their Truths and Heal Their Spirits (Paperback)

Doctors, rap stars, poets, lawyers, pilots, the formerly incarcerated, bus drivers, gay men: what do they have in common? They are all Black men telling their stories. Some of the men are well known, others aren't. Each story tells, in their own words, the joys, the tragedies, the fears, the hopes and dreams of the Black men who wrote the chapters. It gives us an insight into the thoughts of Black men and how they relate to the world they find themselves occupying. These men tell us what they think about their mothers, their lovers, and their wives. They also give us insider information about how they deal with money, education and careers.

The editors, Daniels and Sandy include an introduction to each section so that we will know what we are about to discover. At the end of each section, suggestions and questions are presented to help the reader move forward toward a specific goal. It is a book that is long past due and while it is long, it is definitely worth the effort of reading it.

Reviewed by alice Holman
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Book of the Year, November 3, 2003

By 

T. Rhythm Knight (Coral Springs, FL United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Souls of My Brothers: Black Men Break Their Silence, Tell Their Truths and Heal Their Spirits (Paperback)

Souls of My Brothers, Black Men Break Their Silence, Tell Their Truths, and Heal Our Spirits, edited by, Dawn Marie Daniels and Candace Sandy, is a collection of true short stories by African American men from all walks of life. They are movie stars, musicians, CEOs, single fathers, bus drivers and teachers. Each story covers subject matter such as: Growing up without a father in the home, mental illness, love, health, finances and sexual orientation (to name a few).

Every now and then you read a book which blows your mind. Souls of My Brothers happened to be that book for me. From the foreword, by Isaac Hayes, to the last essay, I was captivated. At times I cried, I laughed, and by the end, I was empowered to become a better person. One of the most powerful sections in the book was the section which deals with being the keeper of one's brother. In this section, individuals shared stories on how they became successful when faced with insurmountable odds and how they reached back and developed programs, centers, jobs, etc. to assist their brothers.

Armed only with a keyboard or a pen, each essayist shot powerful words on paper. Their words were loaded with the insight of a race of men that has been silent far too long. If you have ever wondered why an African American man reacts a certain way when placed in certain circumstances, I suggest you read this book. Although this book does not serve as a blueprint into the African American man's psyche, it can be used as a tool towards understanding him.

If you are looking for that perfect Christmas or birthday gift, I suggest you give a copy of Souls of My Brothers, to the brothers in your life.

T. RHYTHM KNIGHT
APOOO Bookclub

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A MUST READ FOR MEN AND WOMEN, September 30, 2003

By 

Philip A. Lights, Esq. (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Souls of My Brothers: Black Men Break Their Silence, Tell Their Truths and Heal Their Spirits (Paperback)

HERE IS AN EXCEPTIONAL COLLECTION OF SHORT STORIES WRITTEN THROUGH THE SOULS OF AFRICAN AMERICAN MEN WHO HAVE PUT THEIR STRUGGLES ON PAPER TO ENLIGHTEN THOSE WHO ARE UNFAMILIAR WITH THE DREAM. VISIONARIES SUCH AS MAYOR WILLIE BROWN, ISAAC HAYES AND GLENN TOBY OPEN THEIR HEARTS AND TELL THEIR INSPIRING STORIES.
THIS IS A MUST READ AND HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.