Customer Reviews

What I Know for Sure (Random House Large Print)

5 star:		(31)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Who is Tavis Smiley? Initially Tavis' prominence in the media led me to think this guy was just a 'talking-head' - a person simply trying to find a means to move up in this world. However, years have shown me I was wrong.

Tavis Smiley is a man of conviction.

I have witnessed his passion and service and have been an indirect recipient of its affects. His book "What I Know For Sure" shows that he is indeed a man of great determination and drive - and yes, he is in fact trying to go somewhere. Yet, the beauty of the story and his life is that he desires to take a nation of folks with him.

I greatly appreciate Tavis for having the courage to share his trials and triumphs with the public. It was refreshing to read a story where a Black man's battles were not with drugs or sex, but with deeper elements that tend to birth destructive surface habits that deceivedly garner too much of our attention.

The deeper issues are: How do we navigate our spirituality and poverty, or better yet, our spirituality and our God given gifts? Is one married to the other? Does one negate the other? Are there gifts to be used in religious confines, and then others meant for worldly consumption? How do we as African Americans mature in mind to understand that "God so loved the WORLD..." that he gave gifts? Gifts to be used to open college doors, and business opportunities, and platforms for change -for a freeing of His people...

"What I Know For Sure" is a great, easy-flowing story. I am requiring my 17 year old son to read it. I will give it as a gift to my nephews, brother, and brother-in-law. I plan to send it to my childhood friend who is now in prison. In fact, it is my hope that everyone who struggles to define, understand, or find evidence of " Black MAN" in today's society, might read this book, read "Yellow Black" by Haki Madhubuti, "The Pact" by Davis, Jenkins and Hunt, and Denzel Washington's new book, "A Hand To Guide Me."

These books speak to contemporary situations, and will undoubtedly prove to be as relevant for this period of time as "Souls of Black Folks", "Black Boy" and "Invisible Man" were for theirs.

Great work Tavis!

Tavis Smiley, renowned author, journalist, radio and television commentator of talk shows at BET, NPR and Public Television, has written several books of social and political commentary. Some are observations on the African American community, advice to young people or social and political thought. In this, his tenth book, Smiley with the assistance of distinguished biographer David Ritz, finally tells his story in What I Know For Sure: My Story of Growing Up in America.

Tavis was born in Gulfport, Mississippi and as a toddler, he and his family moved to Bunker Hill, Indiana, a depressed working class town of cornfields and white trailer families. In fact, his thirteen member family lived in a three bedroom trailer, one of only a few black families in the area. There were ten children, including four cousins the family adopted when their mother, his mother's sister was tragically killed.

Smiley's mother became involved with the Pentecostal church which would be responsible for shaping him for life. The family went to church seven days a week, precluding him, a precocious, curious and talkative child, from participating in extracurricular and after school activities. In addition he and his brothers worked for the family custodial business. His parents believed anything outside of the provincial, secluded church life they were involved in was sinful and not with keeping of their standards. And it was in church where he had his first real test of betrayal, hurt and pain that would mark him for the rest of his life. Rather than let the humiliation and scars define him, Smiley turned a horrifying experience into a determination to rise above it. His beloved Big Mama, his maternal grandmother, taught him in everything there is a lesson and a blessing--a lesson to be learned and a blessing to be earned even in the toughest situations.

When Smiley was in Oakland in early November before a large crowd at Allen Temple Baptist Church, he said this was a difficult book to write as he had to not only reveal humiliating information about his family but he had to look into himself and reveal some of his flaws and shortcomings. He said that at first he felt it was presumptuous of him to write a memoir at his age (early 40s) but he was encouraged and wanted to tell his story up to this point.

Smiley addresses his infamous firing at BET, his experiences at NPR and praises people who have helped him along the way of which there were many including his mentor Dr. Cornel West. Always on the case, Smiley gave one million dollars to Texas Southern University's school of journalism that is now named after him. He has also given the proceeds from the New York times best seller, The Covenant of Black America, a treatise on improving the African American community, back to the black-owned Third World Press which published the book. Smiley's memoir was a lesson in perseverance, the rewards of hard work and of giving and receiving forgiveness. It will inspire and motivate people of all ages and colors--a great gift for the holiday season.

Dera R. Williams
APOOOO BookClub
Marcus Book Club (Oakland)

I've always dug&Respected Tavis Smiley big time. I've always respected his Vast Knowledge&Ability to communicate&be direct&just do his thing. this Book takes you back to his upbringing. this Book pulls no punches about what he dealt with as a Young Black Man growing up in a Household of a Large family,also dealing with getting whippings(this was the Pre-Pre Time-Out Era which back in the day only applied to Sports Games)and dealing with his own self in the Process. everybody sees&Hears the Success,but not many people are aware of the struggle this Man had to endure&the many lasting images&things he had to deal with Mentally. I applad Brother Tavis Smiley for not being afraid to settting the Record Straight. this Book will hit you in so many ways&depending on your own upbringing it might be close to your own story. I can relate to it big time.Tavis doesn't back down to BET or NPR Either.Tavis without a doubt is one of the most Important Voices out here. he keeps it real&this Book is very direct&real.

I am white, grew up in a small Ohio town with no blacks, went in the Marine Corp, my first exposure to the black community you might say then spent a couple decades in Corporate America as our country has moved along from the sixties and the appropriate black activities of the time. I have to say this book is a pleasent surprise. It has no big discussion on the whites that cause all their problems, it is just a downright honest book about one life lived well. Sometimes Tavis arrogance comes through and I imagine there are those along the way that would have some say about that but it doesnt matter. This book outlines a black success story against incredible odds but more importantly it is an American success story. You can all learn alot about growing up black and growing up impoverished in America as I did from this. More importantly Tavis outlines how we can forgive and love one another which is most important.
Great book and a greater person.

An old friend of mine used to always say, "You never know what's behind a smile."

While the catchphrase you'll find most often in this book is a quote from Smiley's grandmother, "In everything, there's a lesson and a blessing," I found myself thinking of my friend's quote as I was repeatedly shocked, overwhelmed at times and thoroughly entertained by Smiley's latest offering "What I Know For Sure."

This book is a genuinely human pseudo-autobiography that details commentary on the awesome highs of this man's life/career as well as the surprising but relatable lows.

Think small town boy born in Mississippi but raised out in the boonies of Indiana in a Pentecostal family who was raised to know the Bible, love his fellow man and embrace education while ALSO rejecting the values and participation of/in the outside world.

His passion for public service and speech eventually lead him to a new world of experiences in college and into the real world.

I really don't want to give away all the juicy stories and details of his life in this book (otherwise, why read it, right?). But I will say this:

Tavis Smiley had a really brutal and unfortunate childhood accident/incident involving the church and his parents that dramatically shaped who he his today. You'll have to read to find out.

He's also got dramatic stories of mixing with everyone from former President Bill Clinton to former L.A. Mayor Tom Bradley to living with NFL legend Jim Brown to rubbing elbows with Magic Johnson and a hilarious encounter with Fidel Castro that you've gotta read!

Furthermore, rather than describing more specific tails of his life in Indiana, Los Angeles and Washington, I will say he's had some personal experiences that raise some very personal, debatable questions such as:

1) Is the choice of pursuing ambition and career inherently a vote against true love, meaningful relationships and family?

2) How does/should a parent make restitution & rebuild a relationship with an innocent child who was wrongfully accused and demonstratively punished for an act he was later exonerated for?

3) How many of us are brave enough to put our hopes, fears, failures and humiliations out there in public for scrutiny, insensitivity and potential backlash?

4) How many of us have truly mastered the art of forgiveness and what baggage from childhood are we still holding onto?

5) What kind of world do we live in and how much progress has really been made since the Civil Rights Movement?

You'll definitely find yourself pondering these questions and recalling specific points in your own life that will parallel much of Smiley's experiences.

Tavis Smiley is from my home state, attended my college some 14 years before me and has generally been respected in my household ever since his days of breathing life into "BET Tonight (Talk Show)" back in the late 1990s.

He's been around on the national media radar long enough that you'd think you know all there is to know about a public figure who's never been shy about voicing his (many) opinions.

Think again!

This is another great book I'm glad I had the chance to read.

It's a great page turner with an astonishing story chalked full of brutal honesty that doesn't always paint him or his family in the best light.

Smiley is sharp, intelligent and gutsy. That's what I know for sure.

Very highly recommended book!

I didn't know much about Tavis prior to reading this book. He narrates a very intesting story about his life. He has tremendous faith and dances to his own beat. When I finished the book I was able to take away useful messages and advice. I've gained a lot of respect for this guy.

I felt, however, that he was very diplomatic in the book instead of being direct. Meaning, as he provided details about certain experiences or people, he held back in his narrative regardless of how angry or hurt he may have been. Just an observation. This doesn't change my positive opinion about the book.

I'll definitely recommend it to others.

The brutal beating with the extension cord was probably the saddest thing I've read in a while. Aside from that, the book was just ok for me. I found myself shaking my head that Tavis would show up on a college's doorstep without tuition, a dorm assignment, etc. I just really didn't believe he was that naive or that his parents were just that stubborn. The book was easy to read, with really short chapters that weren't bogged down with useless info. Each chapter was straight to the point. Worth a read.

This a book of little stories. Each story is easy to remember, has a point to tell, and gives a bit more information about the teller. My first thought was that by reading what a 40 year old had to say, that I could learn little.

Instead, here is a man who has gone a long ways in his forty years. As is often the case his childhood was a lot worse than mind. First of all we can never forget that growing up black in a while governed world had to present issues that the rest of us never had to face. Then there was 13 people living in a three bedroom trailer.

I am always amazed when I look at people from such a background to see how far they progress. Then I look at the people graduating from our local high school who have a very low rate of wanting further education and feel sad. I wonder at the drive and ambition that people like Mr. Smiley and how do we transmit this to young people in general.

Maybe the few life lessons that Mr. Smiley embraces can somehow be conveyed to the youngsters. Maybe this book will help at least a few of them.

'After I read Sen. Obama's book, I chanced to check out what other black writers were writing.
That lead me to Tavis Smiley s What I know For Sure, and The Proper Criticism of Some Decent
People, by Dr. Theophilus Green. Obama's critique of American politics and Dr. Green's
evaluation of black American politics and their leaders, combined to give me perhaps the most
comprehensive review of modern American politics that I have ever read. After reading
Smiley's book, I had a more personal perspective, and most certainly after reading his Covenant
with Black America.

What I found most telling about Sen. Obama's book was his honesty and straight forwardness.
Dr. Green's book was honest in an irreverent, directness that stimulated as much thinking about
America as it did the definition of American. Smiley's book wrapped it up with a personal
reflection on all that was hoped for, dreamt for and needed to have happen. All three are must
reads, preferably at the same time.

Growing up in Bunker Hill, Indiana, with his mother and stepfather, along with four cousin, five brothers and his grandmother, Tavis struggled to find his niche.

Faith and church dominated the Smiley household, and it was there that Tavis first discovered his love for discipline and words. Physical punishment was regular, harsh and usually given by Tavis' mother. After a particularly embarrassing situation at church, Tavis' father took discipline too far, and Tavis ended up in foster care. While his cousin was sent to a different town completely, Tavis was located near his family, and after only three months, moved home on his own. Though the physical damage done by his father had healed, it would be years before the relationship damage was restored.

Throughout his schooling, the power of words and his love for Dr. Martin Luther King were his salvation. Though his parents were not supportive, he made his way to college with nothing except an acceptance letter and a suitcase. Fortune was on his side and he began classes at Indiana University. His eyes were opened to the African American civilization and society that had previously been closed off to him. In September of 1983, a tragic and unexplained death near IU campus deeply affected Tavis and directed him into social activism.

A semester in Los Angeles once again changed the course of Tavis' life. Serving the public through government inspired Tavis and gave him direction. Though he was unable to continue serving in the government, Tavis was able to create his own way. A self-started radio program led to a BET program and the chance to meet with numerous powerful and famous people, including President Bill Clinton and Fidel Castro. His BET stint eventually gave way to NPR, which eventually gave way to his own company and many different ventures.

Overall, What I Know For Sure is comfortable and heart warming. Tavis Smiley's latest book is refreshing. Whether African American, Caucasian, Hispanic or Asian, the story presented here will encourage anyone facing difficult or impossible circumstances.

Armchair Interviews says: We need more encouraging books with good messages.