Wisdom of the Elders [Paperback]

Robert Fleming (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 25, 1997

"Know whence you came. If you know whence you came, there is really no limit to where you can go."
--James Baldwin
In these troubled times, wisdom often seems in short supply. But as this magnificent volume reminds us, African Americans have been blessed with a precious legacy of wisdom, gained through long hard years of struggle by those who have gone before. Wisdom is the most hallowed gift born of experience and endurance.
The life-affirming guidance in The Wisdom of the Elders has been gleaned from this bountiful harvest and includes some of the most electrifying and deeply moving writings and speeches ever produced. Here are the unedited works of such luminaries as Sojourner Truth, W. E. B. DuBois, Martin Luther King Jr., Elijah Muhammad, Lorraine Hansberry, Thurgood Marshall, Zora Neale Hurston, Adam Clayton Powell, Mary McLeod Bethune, Marcus Garvey, Barbara Jordan, Paul Robeson, Jean Toomer, and many others.
The elders' empowering messages and Robert Fleming's interpretations offer us mother wit, cultural truths, and spiritual sustenance. These words challenge and inspire us to build on the best of our past, to insure our future.


From the Hardcover edition.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Robert Fleming has collected a wealth of inspirational quotations of African Americans. Among the topics covered by these esteemed men and women are power and politics, culture, self-esteem, education, community, race and racism, and strategies for change. Fleming offers a reflection on each quotation and then a daily affirmation to go forth with that day. My favorite affirmation: "There is no room for negativity in my life. I see the positive possibilities in all things."
-- JMC

From the Inside Flap

"Know whence you came. If you know whence you came, there is really no limit to where you can go."
--James Baldwin
In these troubled times, wisdom often seems in short supply. But as this magnificent volume reminds us, African Americans have been blessed with a precious legacy of wisdom, gained through long hard years of struggle by those who have gone before. Wisdom is the most hallowed gift born of experience and endurance.
The life-affirming guidance in The Wisdom of the Elders has been gleaned from this bountiful harvest and includes some of the most electrifying and deeply moving writings and speeches ever produced. Here are the unedited works of such luminaries as Sojourner Truth, W. E. B. DuBois, Martin Luther King Jr., Elijah Muhammad, Lorraine Hansberry, Thurgood Marshall, Zora Neale Hurston, Adam Clayton Powell, Mary McLeod Bethune, Marcus Garvey, Barbara Jordan, Paul Robeson, Jean Toomer, and many others.
The elders' empowering messages and Robert Fleming's interpretations offer us mother wit, cultural truths, and spiritual sustenance. These words challenge and inspire us to build on the best of our past, to insure our future.


From the Hardcover edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: One World/Ballantine (November 25, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0345409752
• ISBN-13: 978-0345409751
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 1 x 8.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,203,050 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Beautiful Collection of POWERFUL QUOTATIONS!, January 19, 2001

By 

ChickLitGurrl™ "Shonell Bacon" (Lake Charles, LA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Wisdom of the Elders (Paperback)

The Wisdom of The Elders is a collection of quotations taken from the most well-known, well-spoken and well-loved luminaries of our time, including, Sojourner Truth, W.E.B. Du Bois, Martin Luther King, Jr., Zora Neale Hurston, Mary McLeod Bethune, Barbara Jordan, and many more.

I'm a person who loves finding that phrase or quote or poem that epitomizes what I am...or hope to become. I line my wall with affirmations that keep me in the positive spirit of not only what I AM, but of where I came from through the elders, and this book is a small, yet beautifully-collected and sectioned book with powerful quotations taken from various topics, such as power and politics, creativity and culture, self-esteem, values, education, family, black women and black men, a living God, and several more.

If you want to feel empowered by the strong words of poignant quotations that still ring true as we move into the 21st century, then The Wisdom of The Elders is a wonderful book to add to your collection.

Shonell Bacon, author of LUVALWAYZ: The Opposite Sex & Relationships

RAW Sistaz member and RAWREVIEWER

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Truly Inspirational, November 3, 2000

By 

Vannie Ryanes "Vannie Ryanes/VSR Book Review" (South Orange, New Jersey United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Wisdom of the Elders (Paperback)

The minute I saw the beautifully carved face of "The Sharecropper" by African American artist Elizabeth Catlett on the cover, I knew this book was special. Author Robert Fleming has given us thought provoking words to live by. This is a rich collection of thoughts and insights of our African American elders from all walks of life. From Jersey Joe Walcott to Fannie Lou Hamer, from Martin Luther King, Jr. to Malcolm X. Some of the quotations in this book are the kind you will read again and again. Others are so powerful that they must be shared with friends. This is a must have book for all African Americans and any other American who wants to get into our heads and know what we are really about.I highly recommend this awesome book.Vannie

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Concise and wonderful!, May 29, 2000

By 

Book-a-holic (Calif, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Wisdom of the Elders (Paperback)

Excellent book. Not too lengthy. It shares the wisdom of those who came before us. More than a group of well-known quotations. Every African American home should have this book. Great organization by the author.