That Black Men Might Live: My Fight Against Prostate Cancer [Paperback]

Reverend Charles Williams (Author), Vernon A. Williams (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 2003

Through the personal story of Reverend Charles Williams, this book addresses the important but often neglected issue of black men and prostate cancer. Williams, a leader in the black community and the president of the Indiana Black Expo, relates how even with an extensive knowledge of health care he did not pay attention to his own needs. He was diagnosed with prostate cancer--at an advanced stage. More than a biography, this book discusses why and how black men can break the cycle of health care illiteracy to become aware of their own needs and use the health care system to their own benefit. Black men are encouraged to get early and regular physical exams and are guided through what to expect and what to do if they are diagnosed with prostate cancer.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Williams, a minister, promoter, and president of the Indiana Black Expo, was an admitted Type A personality, a workaholic loathe to slow down and take note of the signs of a medical problem. Instead, he ignored his problems, self-diagnosed, and conspired to tell friends who were doctors only some of the symptoms, warding off the feared diagnosis of cancer. When the diagnosis of prostrate cancer finally came, Williams was at stage four, beyond cure. Accepting the consequences of his own neglect and the irony that he had long been a promoter of health fairs, Williams offers his experience as a cautionary tale. His self-criticism is rooted in resolve and a out-right conviction that for believers everything--including cancer--works for the good. Williams is very forthright in revealing his missteps, his insecurities before the diagnosis, his vulnerabilities since then, and, above all, his mistake of putting work and achievement ahead of higher values. Though this heartrending and courageous book is aimed at black men, its message is for all men of middle age and older. Vernon Ford
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Review

""Those who have the light must be willing to shine theirs in dark places. That Black Men Might Live "does just that."

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Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Hilton Publishing; 1 edition (November 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0971606730
• ISBN-13: 978-0971606739
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #606,617 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Book a long time coming for black men, October 7, 2003

By 

Jackie (St. Louis) - See all my reviews

This review is from: That Black Men Might Live: My Fight Against Prostate Cancer (Paperback)

I thoroughly enjoyed reading "That Black Men Might Live." I think that it worked on several levels. First, it revealed a lot about Rev. Charles Williams who started an organization that has grown to be one of the most successful black groups in the country - Indiana Black Expo. Beyond his own interesting biographer, it is tremendously impressive how he has chose to use what many people would deem a complete "negative" as a "plus." He got served the proverbial lemon and decided to make lemonade. Diagnosed with prostate cancer in its final stages, Rev. Williams could have chosen to go quietly and inconspicuously into the night. But once you read how his entire life has been dedicated to public service, it's no surprise that he decided to go public to bring attention not to himself, but to the need for black men to become more aware of prostate cancer. I am proud that he and the writer, Vernon A. Williams, have decided to take on such an important project. I wish we could get books written like this for African Americans in so many other health areas where we have serious issues. Until then, I salute, "That Black Men Might Live." It's not only meaningful, it is also extremely good reading.

5.0 out of 5 stars Women should join men in this struggle, November 16, 2003

By 

Jackie (St. Louis) - See all my reviews

This review is from: That Black Men Might Live: My Fight Against Prostate Cancer (Paperback)

The title is "That Black Men Might Live." This book is written about African American males' reluctance to seek proper health care, even when they are sick. The book properly addresses the fact that women are key in the struggle to turn around this problem. Rev. Charles Williams was ill for more than a year and ignored the urgings of his female companion to get testing until it was too late. This book would be a tremendous gift from women to the men that they care about in life as it would suggest to them that we are one; that their future is entwined with ours and that we want men to live long, healthy lives. The book is an excellent "read" and I enjoyed it tremendously. The message was even more compelling. I highly recommend "That Black Men Might Live."