Customer Reviews

Staking a Claim: Jake Simmons and the Making of an African-American Oil Dynasty

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This story is one of many about americans who have made a difference that touched everyone of us, yet they remain unrecognized. Jake Simmons helped American companies open up the Nigeria oil fields yet none of us have heard of him. I read this book several years ago and still recommend it to friends who should learn about real American role models. Those who have made great strides under difficult conditions and won. His successes and failures were accomplished with dignity, fortitude, dedicated work ethic and a quiet pride. They exemplify values that seem to have been lost in recent years. This book also tells an interesting story of the relationship between Native Americans and Blacks throughout the history of the country. A very good read.

This is history that you will probably not find in school books. Yet it is a book that is fascinating, exciting, informative, inspirational, and necessary for all Americans to be aware of. Jonathan Greenberg captures the essence of an African-American that journeyed through all the hardships that most African-Americans travel through but with hard work, a talent for entrepeneurship, and determination becomes an oil barron in racist America. You learn about his successes and his failures. Greenberg annotates his book well, so if find some events unbelievable, you can check to see where he got his information. I highly recommend this book for all Americans.