Customer Reviews

Under the Knife: How a Wealthy Negro Surgeon Wielded Power in the Jim Crow South

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Hugh Pearson wrote a painfully honest discussion of that which he uncovered as he took a personal journey to learn how his great-uncle, Dr. Joseph Griffin, 'a wealthy negro surgeon, wielded power in the Jim Crow south.' I both enjoyed and was disturbed by this excellent look back at a grim era in our collective past. Mr. Pearson shares with his readers the pride as well as the conflict he felt upon learning the extremes to which Dr. Griffin chose to resort to fulfill his dreams and aspirations.

Mr. Pearson's style of writing is refreshingly straightforward and in-your-face honest. I was particularly impressed with his impressions of the connection between the Jewish community and the Black community (long an interest of mine,) which haunted him throughout his journey.

In a convoluted way, the story was inspiring. Dr. Griffin went to many lengths and used any means possible to attain wealth, and subsequently power, in an age when power was unattainable to southern Blacks. As the real means of attaining power (education, real estate ownership, political involvement and money) are still out of the reach of many black Americans today, we must ask ourselves how--if at all--have things changed since the days of Dr. Griffin?

I strongly recommend this book to any student of history who would appreciate an accounting of the Jim Crow era, from its last remaining survivors.

Its been a long time since I've read a book that truly captivated and held my attention like "Under the Knife".
Brother Pearson has done the community and humanity a service
with his very real portrayl of the the south and the way in which African-American physicians went through,around and over
discrimination. As an AA physician myself,I read and absorbed the words in this scholarly tome in a much different light than perhaps the average non-physician reader. It was enlightening,

refreshing and down to earth. And lastly, I appreciate Hugh's
avoidance of the usual thou does no wrong image that is often
cast upon our AA heroes. They are "great" men and women who deserve all the praise and glory due each and every one of them,
BUT they are human - and the admiration is even greater when we do not deprive them of this fact.Brother Hugh continue to write
great pieces for all of humanity. Yours in peace...

Very insightful piece written from a honest perspective without any attempt to cover the unfortunate events of the past.