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He Talk Like a White Boy (Hardcover)

~ Joseph C. Phillips (Author) "Let me take you back-September 1974..." (more)
Key Phrases: black conservatism, black conservatives, United States, New York, Los Angeles (more...)
4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)

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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Phillips is not your typical Republican: he's a television actor, a sometime stay-at-home dad—and a proud black man. At his best, riffing on the difficulties of not conforming to stereotypes in a nation that refuses to shed them, Phillips is thought provoking and moving. With a memoirist's eye for incident, he writes about sitting out eighth-grade pickup football games, caught between the team of white boys he'd grown up with and the team of black boys who complained he lived in "Honkyville."He's acute on the absurdity of racial perceptions, as when he gets scripts that call for "an African-American neurosurgeon with street smarts." But his political essays often read like blog entries, heavy on outrage and rhetoric (the latter sometimes snappy), and feather-light on nuance and evidence (the latter sometimes dubious). They may draw cheers from those who share his faith in G.W. Bush, but won't persuade those who don't. Phillips's opinions (e.g., on faith, character and the pitfalls of affirmative action) may be the driving force behind his writing, but it's his lived experience that is likely to persuade readers of all colors—black, white, red or blue—that he has something to say. (May)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

Phillips, probably best known as the straitlaced son-in-law on the Bill Cosby Show, but lately a columnist and commentator on public radio, reflects on his life and politics from the perspective of a black conservative in Hollywood. He offers an honest look at his personal journey, exploring areas of character, family, faith, idealism, and identity. Phillips was raised in predominately white or integrated areas of Denver, where his diction earned him criticism from some blacks for talking "like a white boy." He recounts other personal experiences in an integrated setting that set him apart from other blacks in the post-civil rights era. A child of divorce, Phillips was also forced to cope with his mother's suicide. His father, a doctor, was stern, and the two didn't develop a close relationship until Phillips became an adult. His struggle to reconcile his life with his ideals led Phillips to become a conservative Republican and to a personal analysis of what it means to be authentic. Readers interested in different perspectives on race and identity will enjoy this revealing memoir. Vernon Ford
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
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Product Details

  • Hardcover: 232 pages
  • Publisher: Running Press (April 24, 2006)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0762423994
  • ISBN-13: 978-0762423996
  • Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6 x 1.1 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
  • Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.com Sales Rank: #524,537 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Front Cover | Front Flap | Table of Contents | First Pages | Back Flap | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
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First Sentence:
Let me take you back-September 1974. Read the first page
Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
black conservatism, black conservatives
Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
United States, New York, Los Angeles, George Bush, Halle Berry, Jim Crow, Supreme Court, Colin Powell, High Noon, President Bush, Robin Givens, Ronald Reagan, Secretary of State, Soviet Union, The Cosby Show, African American, Board of Education, Clarence Thomas, Gene Autry, Heritage Board, Paul Robeson, South Africa, Strictly Business, Alicia Keyes, Bill Clinton
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Customer Reviews

15 Reviews
5 star:
 (10)
4 star:
 (2)
3 star:
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2 star:    (0)
1 star:
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Average Customer Review
4.3 out of 5 stars (15 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
38 of 38 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Like Looking into a mirror, July 12, 2006
By Ronald E. Miller (Huntingtown, MD USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
I just finished "He Talk Like A White Boy," and I am moved beyond words by what Joseph C. Philips has written. As a black man who moves more easily in white circles, not necessarily by choice but because of the fixed notions of politics, race and culture that exist in the African-American community, I feel like I've walked in his shoes. This is the first book I've read from cover to cover in a long time because I found myself enthralled by his story, which is so much like my own. His courage, candor and eloquence only made it more compelling. I sincerely hope that this book flies off the shelves and fattens his bank account. He deserves the financial blessings that come from a work well done. Thank you!
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44 of 46 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Joseph C. Phillips Rocks This Book!, June 6, 2006
I couldn't wait to get my hands on He Talk Like A White Boy by Joseph C. Phillips. As a fan of his work as an actor, I was interested in what he had to say. I was also intrigued by the title. As the mother of a black daughter who is told that she "talks like a white girl" ... I wanted to hear what he had to say about it and wondered if it was similar to what I had to say about it. It was.

While I was interested in the book for the reasons stated, I have to say Mr. Phillips has a lot more to say and he knows how to say it. He can definitely turn a phrase. His writing style keeps your attention and I caught myself laughing out loud, nodding my head in agreement, and even reading particular passages out loud to anyone that would stand still and listen. I even handed the book over to my oldest daughter at one point just so she could read what I had been saying all along about boys and their relationships with girls ... but from a man's perspective.

Now, of course, Mr. Phillips did have some things to say that I didn't agree with. We didn't agree on Bill Clinton or George W. Bush. We somewhat agreed when it came to Ronald Reagan and we agreed with each other completely when it came to Colin Powell. Even though I don't agree with some of his politics and was kind of discouraged to read some of the same old Republican talking points, I really did enjoy the book and what Mr. Phillips had to say. He also reminded me that while we won't always agree with someone on everything, there is still value in their opinions. Unless it is regarding Bill Clinton and then I will just have to call hogwash, hogwash. ;)

He Talk Like A White Boy is not just about politics and race. It is about family, love, faith, community, and a multitude of other topics. He writes about what it means to be a man and a father. He writes about ethics and values. He writes about honesty and commitment. You will definitely find yourself agreeing with Mr. Phillips on much of what he has to say, conservative or not. Honestly, I don't think his views have as much to do with conservative ideology as it does with just plain old-fashioned common sense. I warn you, this book is hard to put down. I recommend it whole-heartedly.
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40 of 42 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars He Talk Like a White Boy, August 5, 2006
By D.S. White (Whitehall, PA USA) - See all my reviews
Reflections on Faith, Family, Politics, and Authenticity

"...I was determined that if I didn't learn to like rap, I would at least develop a working knowledge of the music so I could discuss it intelligently. I dashed out to the music store and bought CDs by Public Enemy, Big Daddy Kane, and a list of other artists who were hot at the time. The only ground rule I set was that I had to play each album all the way through at least once. As an illustration of my lack of commitment, I soon decided that playing an album all the way through didn't necessarily mean I had to be in the same room while it played. Strictly speaking, so long as the album played all the way through. I didn't even have to be in the apartment. I will never forget putting NWA (Niggaz with Attitude) on the stereo. I almost broke my neck sprinting across my apartment to turn the volume down when 'F**k the Police' began blasting through the building."


The above quote is one of the many reasons completion of this book was mandatory (for me). By its very title, this book makes a provocative statement which is ably reinforced by its content.

The book is a collection of essays divided into the following themes:


- Character
- Family
- Faith
- Idealism; and
- Identity

The author's love of his country is interwoven throughout the book. His dispair for the incremental demise of the family rings loud and clear as well as his battle to be all he can be: as a man who is black, is educated, is a conservative, is a husband, is a man of God--but most of all as a man who wants to be a good father.

He declares his political views with such conviction, that whether you agree or disagree with his stance, you're left with a sense of admiration for someone who is not afraid to stand tall and proud for their beliefs. At times the weight of the author's burden to push himself to the next level, while wading against the tide of unpopularity of his political beliefs, exhibits itself as a tad overbearing or maybe even a bit pompous. But right at the point that you're about to say, "Enough already," he pokes fun at himself with a scene like the one above which compels you to laughter; (out loud on a crowded bus) or another moves you to tears, (again on a crowded bus) and yet another fills you with gratitude and pride in being an American. (Swelling of the chest thankfully not readily apparent on said crowded bus.)

This book does what a good book should: it prods you out of your sense of complacency with your accomplishments in life and causes you to question whether you're trying to be all you can be for God, man and country.

Rating:

This book earned 4 out 5 stars for humor, honesty, faith, marital perseverance, parenting efforts, and writing style. However, I would have liked to see a few less big words.

Recommendation:

I am glad to have had the opportunity to share a piece of the author's heart and soul. I encourage you to purchase yourself a copy.

"Joseph. Thanks for sharing."
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars GREAT BOOK! GREAT READ!
This was an absolutely wonderful book to read! Couldn't put it down, and have passed it along to friends. RECOMMENDED HIGHLY!
Published 2 months ago by Donna M. Schuette

3.0 out of 5 stars He Talk Like A White Boy
While I enjoyed Joseph C. Phillips book and agreed with alot of what he had to say about fatherhood and the family, his political views spack of Republican rhetoric. Read more
Published on October 24, 2007 by Craig R. Watts

3.0 out of 5 stars Sorry, I talk like a white boy.
"...pleasantly surprised by the writing skills and command of the English language that Mr. Phillips demonstrated..."

Ouch... Read more
Published on July 26, 2007 by William R. Murphy Jr.

4.0 out of 5 stars An interesting read that gets you thinking...
The hard thing about reviewing books like these is figuring out what context to put it in. For all intents and purposes, this is a book about Mr. Phillips. Read more
Published on June 15, 2007 by Jordan James

1.0 out of 5 stars Oh dear
I saw Mr Phillips on C-Span talking about this book. It should not be entitled "He Talk Like A White Boy", it should be "He Talk Like a Dittohead". Read more
Published on February 26, 2007 by The Chalcenteric Kid

5.0 out of 5 stars Observations and reflections paint quite a different view of the black male in modern America
HE TALK LIKE A WHITE BOY: REFLECTIONS ON FAITH, FAMILY, POLITICS AND AUTHENTICITY comes from an actor, writer and social commentator best known for his role on the Cosby Show, who... Read more
Published on August 19, 2006 by Midwest Book Review

5.0 out of 5 stars Welcome to the Club
This book introduces a conceit of the black community: To be black, not only do you have to talk a specific way, but act a specific way. Read more
Published on July 21, 2006 by Kevin Spencer

5.0 out of 5 stars Superb beach reading
Awesome! Hats off to J.C. Phillips for one of the most profound poignant pieces I have read in a very very long time. This book should be on the bookshelf in all homes. Read more
Published on July 14, 2006 by book worm from philly!

5.0 out of 5 stars Fabulous book
I wasn't sure what to expect when I got this book because the automatic assumption is that "actors" aren't necessarily good "writers"! Joseph C. Read more
Published on July 5, 2006 by Gayle Miller

5.0 out of 5 stars ILLUMINATING
What an important book. Mr. Phillips has the insight to see an all-too-frequent tendency in the black community to undermine our own self-confidence and sense of identity. Read more
Published on June 21, 2006 by Anonymous

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