Rating: Summary: Black Like Me Review: You only have to be human for a short period of time to know the unjustice out world has. Black Like Me takes John Howard Griffen's life and puts it in an inthralling and delicious true novel. An unbeliecable tale that is inpredictable in nature and thought. John Howard Griffen was born a white man. In the late 50's he darkened his skin through the use of creams, sun and medication to become a black man. During this extremly scornful and racist filled society, what was Griffin's thought process for this life-altering change, albeit a short one? To see how the segregated black man lived, communicated and were treated. But, most of all, he wanted to know the truths and the false accusations placed upon 'their people'. What John Howard Griffin found was more than a group of people who were treated unfairly; he found people treated disrespectfully and with unjust fear. Above all, Griffin found a community of people who understood one another with a smile, touch or with few words spoken. As Griffin explained, it is obvious that a black man is deeply changed inwardly when subjected to conditions as the ones he lived in. Griffin chose the most southernly places in which to reside, as the Southern blacks were treated the worse. Griffin wanted to get to know the culture and later referred to himself as mulatto. His writings posess great tragedy, heart, horror and happiness. To have done this was very brave. Something that many more persons should have done. The horridness of then American democracy was clearly shown. It takes a brave man to do what Griffin did. He speaks of the squalor with such despise and love. What you read, you wish was unreal and was a piece of fiction. Although we do not 'see' segregation today, this is a chilling book making the reader look at people differently and with due respect.
Rating: Summary: Black Like Me Review: This book made a huge difference in my life and understanding of racial issues in thes country in the 1960's. It is equally relevant today and I cannot wait to read it again.
Rating: Summary: Black Like Me Review: The book I read was called Black Like Me, By John Howard Griffin. This book is about a white, middle aged man who darkened his skin. He wanted to see what it was really like to be a black man in the Deep South. So he is basically under cover going to experience the treatment and life of a black man in the Deep South. To me this book was pretty good. The only bad part about this book was in the begining it was kind of confusion, because they were talking about how the plan was going to work, and it was kind of hard to understand. My recommendation for this book would be to peole who like to learn about history and how things were back then. If you are a person who doesn't know much about how things were in those rasis days, then this is a book for you.
Rating: Summary: Interesting: Review: As an "experiment", this book has to be an all time classic. It's indicative of the mistrust society has for the black person, that a white person must darken his skin and witness the injustice firsthand, before it's believed to be true. The loneliness and degradation Griffin experienced left me with a deep sadness for the black people who struggle with this on a daily basis. A book that has hopefully changed the attitudes of many people forever.
Rating: Summary: black like me Review: Book Review by Adam Levinson Core 8 The book BLACK LIKE ME by John Howard Griffin is a great non -fiction informative tale through racism, and prejudice. In this book John Howard Griffin tries to explain to the world that there is no difference between black and white, just on race called human. He also tries to show that not all white men are racist and prejudice against black people. The book is about a white writer that changes his pigmentation (change his skin color to black). After he changed his pigmentation he went to the Deep South to report what it is like to be a black man. He wrote this book from his own point of view but also put himself into the positions of other people. The author is a great writer and very persuasive. He can make you change your mind about an idea in one sentence. John is very flowing and one of my favorite writers. Although it was at some points boring and unnecessary he still seemed to impress me with his outstanding facts. I found it interesting that black people were not able to swim on some beaches. I feel that John Howard Griffin was an activist. I feel this way because he lived in a time were if you did not hate black people you were ridiculed and not hated by your town. Knowing that when he published his book that people would hate he took the risk and proved that there4 is no difference between black and white, just a different shade in color. I would recommend this book to an teenager because it does tend to get a bit boring. Overall I loved this book and left an everlasting impression about this horrible period of time.
Rating: Summary: Black Like Me Book Review Review: ... ... 09/07/02 Core 8 Book Review Black Like Me Book ReviewFor my summer assignment, I read the novel Black Like Me by John Griffin. It is an autobiography about a white man who explores The Deep South as a black man by changing the pigment of his skin. This is a terrific book and I strongly recommend it. Mr. Griffin's purpose is to find out how African American's are treated compared to Caucasian American's. To achieve this, Mr. Griffin travels to The Deep South. He finds himself in the middle of two cultures who accept or reject him merely because the color of his skin. He finds the discrimination gets worse as he travels farther South. The book takes place in the late 50's and early 60's. It is set mainly in New Orleans and The Deep South. The mood of the book is depressing and poignant. I think Mr. Griffin proved his point by telling America and the rest of the world how badly black people in society were treated. His writing is fairly easy to read with a few difficult words. I would have liked the book more if Mr. Griffin was not so verbose. Overall, the novel is very moving and John Griffin vindicates himself. I would recommend this novel because it tells a lot of history and Mr. Griffin speaks very eloquently and from his heart. The novel taught me some history along with how African American's were restrained from having a normal life.
Rating: Summary: Very Interesting... Review: I have never heard of this book but when telling others that I was reading it, it seemed like I was the only one on the planet who didn't know anything about this author. I would have loved to have seen him in person in both black and white. The book was a page turner and I really respected his views. I always respect a person who doesn't write books off of statistics and will go out of his way for personal experience...and ma-an, did he go out of his way!
Rating: Summary: Black Like Me Review: It's been more than 50 years since I read this book,at the time I was a young teen-ager. Today, at 67, I remember vividly what I read and how it's affected my thinking. I felt as if I were living the experiences along with the author. That it has remained with me more than 50 years is, in my opinion, a powerful testament to this literary masterpiece, which not only provides an interesting read, but also an education!
Rating: Summary: A Great Piece of History! Review: I'm in the middle of reading this book right now and it is amazing! There are things in this book that I've never heard of through history books. This is a true story about this man that decides to color his skin and go to Alabama & Mississippi in the 1950's to write a book of what it is really like down there. He finds out things are worse than he even thought. I'm about half way through and it's just wonderful! So interesting to see how things were that could only be told in this way.
Rating: Summary: Black Strength Review: Black Like Me is a great book in which the author, John Howard Griffin darkens his skin. He is curious on how blacks in the south in the 1960's were treated. One of the things he discovered is that he could always rely on fellow blacks to aid him. When he needed shelter, he was taken in; when he needed food, a black lady fed him; and when he needed a friend, every black person he met on the street would talk to him.
|