Rating: 
Summary: What's certain?: One boy dead, and many commentaries
Review: Other reviewers cover the ground well; but let me fill in a blank or two. I am white, and I have several Hispanic and black friends. I believe each of us looks, ... or rather, would look, ... at the death of this boy from different perspectives that result directly from the color of skin we have. This forces upon us an inherent lapse in reason when deciding how justice may be found. Our ability to reason is something we must constantly refresh, or we are the less human. I suppose, contrary to feelings and what the eye tells us, my being "white," and the color of someone else's skin, same or different, becomes irrelevant while we have command of our reasoning abilities. So, do we have that command?
Rating: 
Summary: If you think the USA has no racial problems, then read this.
Review: Otherwsie, if you are not new to such theories and thinking, you'll enjoy this book, but likely not love it. It's a tricky book. There is no firm conclusion or obvious "bad guy" as in a book like A Civil Action. And to the author's credit, he doesn't try to create one. However, despite his spending almost five years "working" on this case, his 310 page book still runs long, with several extraneous chapters, as well as conclusions in the last half that anyone already in the choir would have long figured out. It's a good book, no doubt, just as I suspect that Mr. Reeves' case file on Eric would make a good read. Similarly, each likely lack the same editing, coherence, passion, and conclusion. Tepidly recommended.
Rating: 
Summary: THIS BOOK WAS SOOO ACCURATE
Review: READING THIS BOOK REALLY OPENED MY EYES. UNTIL NOW I'VE NEVER HEARD THE STORY OF ERIC McGINNIS. TO MY SURPRISE MY BROTHER WAS INTERVIEWED IN THIS BOOK. ANYHOW I DECIDED TO LET EVERYONE KNOW THAT NOTHING HAS CHANGED SINCE 1991. WE ARE NOT ANY CLOSER TO ST.JOE. I LOVED THIS BOOK, I CAN REALLY REALATE. I COULD SEE THIS SAME THING HAPPENING OVER AGAIN. WHEN I THINK OF ST.JOE I THINK OF THOSE PEOPLE ACROSS THE RIVER WHO THINK SO HIGHLY OF THEM SELVES. I LISTEN TO MY PEERS TALK ABOUT HOW PHONY THOSE PEOPLE IN ST.JOE ARE "THEY'LL SMILE IN YOUR FACE AS IF YOU'RE FRIENDS BUT AS SOON AS YOU LEAVE THEY GET AMONG THEIR PEOPLE AND TALK ABOUT YOU THE SAME." THERE ARE A COUPLE OF PEOPLE TRYING TO BRING THE CITYS CLOSER TOGETHER. A PROGRAM CALLED "BRIDGE THE GAP" WHERE STUDENTS FROM EACH CITY ATTEND EACH OTHERS HIGHSCHOOL FOR A DAY. ST.JOE REFUSED TO PATICIPATE IN THE PROGRAM.THIS IS NO WAY TO BRING THE CITYS CLOSER. IT SEEMS AS IF THEY DON'T WANT THE WOUNDS OF THE PAST TO HEAL. P.S I'M A 15 YEAR OLD FEMALE ATTENDING BENTON HARBOR HIGH
Rating:
Summary: Excellent reporting, Compelling writing
Review: The author uses the death of a teenager as a micro-example of racial tension in a midwestern town. What is disturbing is that when reading this book many Americans will see a piece of their America portrayed. Well written and thoroughly reported this made what could have been an academic study of race relations a page turning mystry with a moral.
Rating:
Summary: Tension. Why?
Review: The story told by Alex Kotlowitz in The Other Side of the River is riveting and somewhat mind numbing. The description of one horrifying story of a teenage male found floating in the St. Joseph River as a basic summary of race relations that could be found across the entire country. The physical separation of two communities is merely 350 feet, but the true distance of separation could not be measured. A young man's corpse is found in the murky substance that draws a line between St. Joseph and Benton Harbor and a true lead about what may have happened does not appear. The lack of competence of investigators and other witnesses seems to make the death nontrivial, the reaction of the community would seem to tell a different story. The underprivileged side of the water wants to pin the blame on the well to do across the way while these individuals believe that the death was not a matter of murder. The story is a synopsis of the existence and relations of the two communities and the different races that call the area home. One calls the other a burden and a negative while the opposition claims it is the affluent Caucasians that destroys the home of the African Americans. Harmony between the two does not and cannot exist. All matters that go on in the communities seemed to be judged by one or the other and blame is placed. Why is a simple difference of color causing the conflict of two potentially extraordinary places? Obviously, the locals do not know the answer to the question and horrible stories as the tale of Eric McGinnis surface and more tension mounts. The tension that exists is much wider than the body of water that lies between the cities. Why tension exists is something that is not understood and may not be anytime in the near future. One question, if no one knows why such insurmountable tension exists, why is it there to begin with? Remember it is only color and a measly 350 feet.
Rating:
Summary: The Other Side of this Novel
Review: This book began as an investigation of the death of a young man. After a few chapters it became evident that this book is about so much more. It is a first hand account of the attitudes and perceptions that people from different backgrounds have. It traces racial issues through the eyes of two towns that could not be more different form each other. This book is fast paced and engrossing and I have recommended it to everyone I know.
Rating:
Summary: Good book, but I've read better
Review: This book is well written and explores the racial and socioeconomic difference our society holds. I however find that it is similar in plot and theme to his previous book, There are no Children Here. I still recommend that this book be read in conjunction with the other, but not by itself.
Rating: 
Summary: Biased and Self-congratulatory
Review: This book offers a true yet biased view of the incident that happened in Benton Harbor and St. Joseph. This is why: 1. Kotlowitz interviews bystanders from Benton Harbor but not from St. Joseph. The only St. Joe residents quoted in his book are those somehow related to the case while Benton Harbor residents and their opinions abound. 2. Kotlowitz often makes vague statements about the area that cannot be backed up with solid evidence. For example, Kotlowitz makes a statement to the effect "It has been said that even God fled Benton Harbor during the white flight." My question is, who said that? Being a resident of this area I promise that I have never once heard that said. Rather, it is an oppurtunity for Kotlowitz to insert his opinion without claiming it. 3. Kotlowitz makes generalizations about the people of Southwestern Michigan based loosely on coincidental facts and/or rumors. For example, the "Go home FIPS" commentary. It is possible that this could have happened and maybe occasionally does, but it is not as common or accepted at Kotlowitz would lead the reader to believe. 4. Kotlowitz is not equal in his treatment of Benton Harbor Citizens and St. Joseph citizens. For example, he states that St. Joe residents claim to have moved out of Benton Harbor because of the crime and denounces this as racism. However, the mother of the victim in his book moved out of Benton Harbor for the same reason and he never commented on this as a racist gesture. I admit that at first I had a defensive knee jerk reaction to this book. However, I have since reread the book after moving away and gaining perspective on the situation. Racism is a problem in the area. Both sides have issues that Kotlowitz correctly addresses. My problem with the book is the style it is written in. I feel that it is inflaming and self congratulatory. Kotlowitz is talented at using slanted and sensationalist language in his book. However, this topic IS a worthy one to look at. I do not deny that he addresses an important problem to the area. I do believe that this book should be read with a grain of salt; as a journalist trying to to glamourize his story much like a small child who embellishes on the truth for a reaction. Although essentially true, it has been airbrushed and glittered to be a more satisfying story.
Rating:
Summary: Private Troubles?
Review: This book was indeed an intrigue. It was rather easy to read and actually a good supplemental reading for a sociology class. Though slightly biased as he was, Kotlowitz uses the individual example of Eric McGinnis's death to illustrate the unrest and snowball effect that race has on society. The social problems that are results of "killings" (presumed race killings) are of a high magnitude. Although I live in the state where these events occurred (and therefore have my own biases) I believe this to be an accurate portrayal of social unrest due to race relations.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful
Review: This book was so meticulously written. It was amazing, it was one of those stories that just grabs you and takes you around into this world in which we live in. It was simply amazing.
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