We Were Eight Years in Power: An American Tragedy Hardcover – October 3, 2017

Brilliant, powerful, well-written, and revelatory

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September 9, 2017

Format: HardcoverVine Customer Review of Free Product( What's this? )

I have been a big fan of Ta-Nehisi Coates's writing, and particularly his ATLANTIC essays, for a long time. I had, in fact, read most of the essays that are published here before when they appeared in the ATLANTIC, including the last essay/epilogue (published as "Donald Trump is the First White President" in the ATLANTIC). It was just published in the magazine, and arrived here to burn up our mailbox a few days ago. It's a tour de force.

All the essays are solid, and both enlightening and deeply thought-provoking. Some of the essays stand up better than others. But even when the essay is not one of Coates's best--e.g. the essay on Michelle Obama ("American Girl")--the fact that Coates foregrounds and frames the individual essays with an incisive, recent introductory 'Notes' section both puts each essay in perspective and ties the collection together.

There is nothing in here that is not worth reading and thinking hard about. (I mean that; it's not a throwaway line.) Coates thinks more deeply and writes more clearly about the national tragedy and disgrace that is our collective failure to confront the history and legacy of White Supremacy than just about anyone. Anyone who hopes to understand the roots of the current Confederate statue removal fights and to see why--yes--this is an issue that is hugely consequential needs to read "Why Do So Few Blacks Study the Civil War." (Pair it with SLAVERY'S CAPITALISM if you can; the result is, in a word, stunning.). "Fear of a Black President" is also powerful, and disquieting.

I have used "The Case for Reparations" in several (different) college classes. Watching the students 'get it' and respond just doesn't get old. It has been life-changing for some of them.

I recommend this collection. In fact, I can't recommend it highly enough.

237 people found this helpful

Ta-Nahesi Coates has quickly become my favorite author. He is an outstanding

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Beast

January 16, 2018

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

Ta-Nahesi Coates has quickly become my favorite author. He is an outstanding, eloquent and poignant writer. This book is a compilation of many of his works from the last decade (throughout the Obama Administration). He paints a rich and heart-wrenching picture of the state of racial relations in the USA, culminating in the Trump election. By the end of the book, you can clearly see how hundreds of years of racism and domestic terrorism have created the American Tragedy described in the book's title. Although painful, I highly recommend this read.

2 people found this helpful

An in depth discussion on race in America

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Plant Native

January 7, 2018

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

I bought this book in an attempt to understand my husband's outlook on our current societal situation. As the white member of a bi-racial couple, I wanted to try to build a bridge between our two familial cultures. After reading this thought provoking book, I feel both empathy towards black people and sadness in the failure of white culture to recognize the obvious. I am also hopeful that Americans are being taught a painful lesson by our current leader. One can never rise above by holding others down.

3 people found this helpful

A "must read" for everyone of every color.

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Indy JV

January 14, 2018

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

Every white person who wants to really know how it looks from "the other side" should take on the responsibility of reading Coates' eye-opening, informative book. I have African American friends, co-workers and family. I grew up in Indiana (I wasn't aware of it's "Klan" status until after moving away as a teenager) and moved to the deep south (Texas) in the 1970's where I witnessed racism over and over. Talk about a culture shock. Since then I have striven to be inclusive and empathetic to all color of people (and moved away from TX).
We Were Eight Years in Power is one of those books I have finished, put down, am contemplating and will pick up again to re-read because I'm sure I missed important information the first time around. Especially that Epilogue. Maybe you should begin with it. If nothing else moves us to participate in the US election system, it will.

FYI: I paired "Eight Years" with "A. Lincoln" by Ronald C.White, Jr. and "A People's History of the United States" by Howard Zinn. It takes awhile to get through all three books, but it is well worth it as they compliment each other.

One person found this helpful

A compilation of intelligent and masterfully written essays from Coates

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Most recent customer reviews

Christopher Drake

Thought provoking essays and really enjoyed Coates’ intros and reflections on each work. Direct opinions on race and history of racism in this country and how that history...Read more

Published 4 days ago

Kevin R

Must Read!

I rarely read a book twice immediately back to back, but Eight Years in Power is THAT good! I had to read it again immediately! Well done.

Published 7 days ago

Amazon Customer

BOOK OF THE MONTH OF MAY 2018. No prizes ...

BOOK OF THE MONTH OF MAY 2018.

No prizes for guessing that my pick goes to Ta-Nehisi Coates'

"WE WERE EIGHT YEARS IN POWER. AN AMERICAN TRAGEDY'.Read more

Published 24 days ago

Kiera J. Northington

We Were Eight Years in Power

I hope that this book and Between the World and Me become required reading in high school and university classrooms across this country. Mr.Read more

Published 26 days ago

Nana

Powerful, a tutorial for old white folks who need to know this

This is a major book, amazing, powerful, educational. We choose it as a book study for our Vermont church. We knew we had a lot to learn and this taught us so much.Read more

An accessible and powerful meditation on race and racism in America

Joe Kessler

A powerful collection of essays on race and racism in America, reflecting the author's evolving understanding of these issues over the eight years of the Obama presidency.Read more

nic solo

Five Stars

AMAZING!

Ta-Nehisi Coates is a treasure of our era. Buy this. Read it.

dinglefest

exceptional in every way

Vine Customer Review of Free Product

A Brilliant Seething Insightful Look at US

BookAce

Vine Customer Review of Free Product

Ta-Nehisi Coates does NOT mince words. We have gone far, but no, we have NOT gone far........ What was attacked (Black government, Black Education, racial inequity, Education,...Read more

Great book!! Book came in great condition!

Alexzandria Johnson

Five Stars