Customer Reviews

Succeeding Against the Odds

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This book uplifted the self esteem of me and many other African Americans. It was the story of a black man raised in rural Arkansas who had a dream. He figured out at an early age that African Americans wanted to know about what was happening in their community. There where only so many if any stories about us in Life Magazine. And if they did publish something about us it was negative. Why couldn't African Americans have a magazine of their own? One that told stories, positive stories about our lives, our heroes, and our history. This book gave me hope to know that even a lower middle class, African American boy from the Bronx like myself could grow up and strive for greatness amongst our people and the rest of society. John H. Johnson's publications are over 50 years old now and are still giving us stories that uplift our minds, bodies and spirits. Reading this book is not only a joy and a honor but it should be required reading for all African Americans and focal point of reading for all others.

I read the hardcover edition of this book when it first came out. I was in need of and searching for some means to act on all the success and motivation material I had read and listened to before SUCCEEDING AGAINST THE ODDS. To have read how Mr. Johnson worked his way up like so many other successful people, regardless of their skin color, continues to encourage me as I work toward my vision of success. Mr. Johnson endured criticism, overcame obstacles, struggled, and bided his time to achieve his successes. That he achieved despite the prejudice and racism of his time and got help from a few non-African Americans, as well as his own people, attests to his influence, power, and charisma. As an American of Asian descent, I still identify with his coming from destitute circumstances which he rose out of to become the publishing magnate he is and advisor and confidante he had been at the executive level of our nation's government a decade or two ago. Well worth staying up into the early morning hours before a workday to realize that there are no real obstacles to success, only temporary distractions to recognize and disregard.

I read the hardcover edition of this book when it first came out. I was in need of and searching for some means to act on all the success and motivation material I had read and listened to before SUCCEEDING AGAINST THE ODDS. To have read how Mr. Johnson worked his way up like so many other successful people, regardless of their skin color, continues to encourage me as I work toward my vision of success. Mr. Johnson endured criticism, overcame obstacles, struggled, and bided his time to achieve his successes. That he achieved despite the prejudice and racism of his time and got help from a few non-African Americans, as well as his own people, attests to his influence, power, and charisma. As an American of Asian descent, I still identify with his coming from destitute circumstances which he rose out of to become the publishing magnate he is and advisor and confidante he had been at the executive level of our nation's government a decade or two ago. Well worth staying up into the early morning hours before a workday to realize that there are no real obstacles to success, only temporary distractions to recognize and disregard.

In his book, Johnson states "There is an advantage in every disadvantage, and a gift in every problem" and "I believe that the greater the handicap the greater the triumph." By this he means to say that disadvantage creates opportunities and forces one to do more with less. He believed that disadvantages were "...challenges to be overcome and not facts to be accepted." A disadvantage provides a challenge that, with the proper motivation and mindset, forces one to try a little harder and work a little smarter.

Two distinct disadvantages that Johnson cites are early in his life: 1) Arkansas City (his birthplace) did not provide a high school education for African Americans, and 2) The economic depression stemming from the Great Depression. These two disadvantages, when taken together, provided a sort of "critical mass" that propelled Johnson on the trajectory that is his story -- his move to Chicago and subsequent business endeavors.

The fact that the disadvantages cited above were realized so early in life is worth note. There is a scientific discipline known as "Chaos Theory" that, among other precepts, states that the time evolution of a series of interrelated complex events is extremely sensitive to the system's initial condition. The analogy that may be drawn to Johnson's life is this: had he not moved to Chicago due to his ambition and his Mother's tremendous sacrifices for her son's education, it would have become increasingly difficult for Johnson to have succeeded to the extent he did, as chronicled in his autobiography.

This statement is supported by the many references he makes in the book about the seemingly random events that led to his success as a businessman; Johnson states, "I'm scared someone with pinch me and wake me up." Thus, it seems that the many disadvantages the author faced throughout life, most notably (in his words) early in life, created an advantage, which led him to great wealth and notoriety.

I bought this Book way back in 1992.I always Admired Mr.John H.Johnson for all that He overcame&also for providing Ebony&Jet into my early childhood all the to the present. what He overcame&what He Accomplsihed is truly incredible. He created magazines that spoke&gave Black America a Fair shake at the Newsstand&also showed our world in a up-lifting light. John H.Johnson is a true Pioneer who trail-blazed so much for the better.RIP&this is a Must have Book.

I read this book when it was first released. I was a stugling college
student at the time and in need of guidance. This book set the tone
for my success. It lifted me up in ways no other book has with
its true to life realism. Mr. Johnson is a true role model,
not only for people of African American decent but for all. As an African
American male it taught me just how much I need to be thankful for the
trials and tribulations my for fathers endured to allow me to do
what I am doing today. It let me know that I exist because of men
like Mr. Johnson who laid the ground work for me to become my own
success story and that even in today's world I have nothing to complain
about. I recomend this book highly and hope one day to meet Mr. Johnson
and thank him for giving me the right to dream.

I had the honor and opportunity to not only meet, but to work for John H. Johnson. He was truly an astute human being and businessperson, great humanitarian and a methodical thinker! "Succeeding Against the Odds" is a must read book and a required resource for your personal library. This book reflects Mr. Johnson's struggles, sorrows, adversities and his tenacity to turn a "no" into a "yes!" His memory is one that cannot die, and his legacy is one that should be an inspiration to all of us, no matter what your race, creed or color is.

Our current and future generations must know their history and John H. Johnson along with the support of his wife Mrs. Eunice W. Johnson, built an empire that reveals to all of us, that you can dream an impossible dream, but with faith and hard work your dreams can become a reality! Thank you Mr. John H. Johnson for your inspiration and communicating to us that "the only failure is failing to try!" "Succeeding Against the Odds" definitely reminds us that the "American Dream" is your "Individual Dream," and it still lives as long as you do not assassinate it!

After reading Earl G. Graves's biting autobiography, I fully expected John H. Johnson's manuscript for success to be riddled with distain. I was pleasantly surprised however to find that Johnson; through such works as, Think and Grow Rich, by Napoleon Hill, and How to Win Friends..., by Dale Carnegie, made a fortune turning social negatives into profitable and professional positives. Having met eight U. S. Presidents along the way, Johnson's autobiography is a refreshing treatise on determination. It should be noted that much of Johnson's success came about before integration, when the African American community lived by the, "it takes a village," mentality. The nurturing he was given during the early years provided for a favorable turn of events ultimately guiding him; not without the requisite obstacles, toward a life of success. John H. Johnson's, Succeeding Against the Odds, is a testament to the spoils of desire, determination, delayed gratification and a strong belief in ones self.

I could definitely related to Mr.Johnson's story. It is inspiring, insightful, and truly a guide to those of us on the often obstacle laden road to success.

Never allow your personal feelings or emotions to close the doors of oppourtunities. Where the is a will there truly is a way. His story is remarkable and his book enables you to understand that yours is too.

Think and Grow Rich...

I like this book very much,for I used to be a officer that rank is major,I admire his method (or skill) to solve every different problem.