Williams, a former actor on Baywatch and author of a memoir of the Los Angeles riots (A Gathering of Heroes), has trodden a hard road to maturity, and in this collection of inspirational essays, he attempts to pass on lessons learned. Growing up fatherless in Des Moines, the author thought "a man's worth was measured primarily in relation to women, wealth, and war." Drinking and drugs, he adds, helped him ignore the challenge of trying to be his best, and he initially ignored the son he fathered. But Williams found what he calls Good Orderly Direction (G.O.D.) from many sources: religion, friends, nature. Now he emphasizes education and service. As an African American, Williams offers a special message to black youths concerned that there may be only one way to be authentically black, who grow up in a rap-infused culture that denigrates women and who may reflexively blame racism for more complicated problems. However, his earnest wisdom can devolve into cliches and his anecdotes meander. His book reads like transcribed speeches, and Williams, a public speaker, likely best delivers his message in person.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
From Library Journal
Shifting to an even more personal note than his previous A Gathering of Heroes: Reflection on Rage and Responsibility (Academy Chicago, 1994), Emmy Award- winning actor Williams?seen on TV's Baywatch and Baywatch Nights?offers a mix of introspection, pep talk, reflection on life, and self-help philosophy about being a man today. Commenting on anger, baggage, education, failure, fatherhood, fear, good orderly direction, honor, sorrow, violence, and warriors, Williams urges boys and men?particularly black boys and men?to do the right thing. And that is to take responsibility for self, to strive to do better, to be sensitive to others, and to learn from life. He shares his focus on black manhood with many previous authors, from Ernest J. Gaines (In My Father's House, 1978) to Earl Hutchinson Ofari (The Assassination of the Black Male Image, LJ 10/1/96), but the autobiographical elements place Williams's book in a class by itself. For collections on teenagers, parenting, and contemporary society.?Thomas J. Davis, Arizona State Univ., Tempe
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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