Customer Reviews

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

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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

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

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.

I am a female and I found this to be an excellent read, it was another way of learning how, why and what some black men experience and feel abount their lives. It was inlighting, it bought new knowledge to my attention and there were times that I cried and I laughed while reading the book. I'm sorry that it seems to be out of print, I plan to circultate it to my friends and family members both male and female.

It's a must have for the black family's literature collection.

If you really and I do mean really want to find out what is inside some of the brother's head, then PLEASE READ THIS BOOK!!! Not only do I find it informing, but a great read. One brother talked about dating women of all colors and persuasions, and had me grudgingly agreeing to his argument. Some of the men had me feeling for the various experiences they went through, and none left me disappointed. Please read this book.

I enjoyed the narratives of men of today in their own words. Women have often tried to understand these souls, and for some reason can never get it right. So we might as well let these men express themselves. However, I do know that there are always some hidden truths. I look forward to the version for women, and if folks can't get enough of this intimate look at personalities of today's man and woman, I strongly suggest reading PerSOULnalities: Poems For Every Kind of Woman and PerSOULnalities: Poems For Every Kind of Man which both tell both men and women the truths that can't be hidden from a personafied characters. I am going to spread the word about this book, and it has hit the airwaves all over New York. Much luck to these outstanding compilers.

souls of my brothers is exactly what it says, how strong black men over come differnt obstacles in there life thats strengths there souls.you will read how different men who come from different walks of life such as growing up poor,having no parents are one parent etc. go thought the trials of life.i love the book my self because no matter what they went though they hung in there and became successful in there own life paving the way for the kids who grow up in some of the same neighborhoods as them are similar places see there is a way to be successful in there life in all types of careers.souls of my brother can move your spirt and also make you see how similar we all are.

P.S. to all who wrote in the book i would like to say thank you for shareing your spirt with us and may you all have a blessed day

This is an amazing collection of thoughts and personal stories of black men from all walks of life. Men, women and children of all races should read this book. Far too often, black men are stereotyped as negative and lazy. If you share that perspective;you may no longer after reading this powerful masterpiece. This book dispells so many untruths about Black men. This book is inspiration for the world!

There's stuff in here from Coolio and Isaac Hayes but also stories from real people who are a lot like me. Every essay in this book was cool, and I'm going to read it again and give a copy to my dad and brothers. I think my girlfriend would probably like it, too, 'cause the guys in this book write about a lot of the stuff I think about, but I don't always want to talk about.