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Summary: No better tribute to a mother...
Review: As a mother of a biracial child, I was instinctively drawn to this book. James McBride's writing is excellent and the story is inspirational. Ruth McBride had two very powerful factors that made her such an admirable woman...faith and determination. James McBride's desire and ability to capture the spirit of his mother demonstrates wholeheartedly how well she accomplished raising and educating 12 children. She is an inspiration to all!
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Summary: A very heartfelt "Thank You"
Review: Thank you Mr McBride and your Mother also, for allowing us to enter your lives. It took great courage for you both to "speak your soul" and it was deeply felt on every page. I was taken to places and situations that I have never experienced and have benefited from the journey. A MUST READ!
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Summary: In a Word: Inspiring
Review: This is one of the most inspirational books I have ever read. It is a fabulous illustration of how love, hardwork, and diligence can do nothing but make us all successful in the midst of adversity and when the odds seem stacked against us.
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Summary: Jewish perspective on The Color of Water
Review: I loved this book, and would have read it in one night had I not forced myself to go to sleep so I could get up for work the next day. As an observant Jew, I remain troubled by two things, however. 1. The book and the reviewers in Amazon keep repeating that Ruth's family rejected her, that she was "dead to them," because she married a black man. Not necessarily so. She was "dead to them" because she married out of the faith. Recall the scene in Fiddler on the Roof where Chava maries Fyedka, the Russian peasant. Chava was dead to them too. Traditional Jews mourn as dead and sit "shiva" for anyone who marries a non-Jew. Color has nothing to do with that. There would be no problem with a black Jew (and yes there are black Jews, including, according to Jewish law, Mr. McBride) or a black or anyone else who properly converts to Judaism. Individuals may be bigoted but it is unfair to attribute that to their Jewishness. It is unfortunate that Mr. McBride misunderstood. 2. I am also concerned that because Ruth's father was an evil man, though outwardly a religious Jew, people will equate this evil as inherent in Judaism and Jewish people. Ruth seemed to. Sometimes people flee Judaism because they identify it with negative aspects of their parents or childhood families. All in all, this was a thought-provoking great read. It will stay with me a long time.
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Summary: race and religion mean nothing compared to love
Review: i read this book after it was recommended to me by several people. i started reading the book and felt immediatly drawn into the book, the word of james and ruth mcbride. their fear was my fear. thier love my love. their confusion my confusion. to be a 'coloured' boy with a white mother and black father must have been hard but they were a strong family and kept on going. thier commitment to tolerance and acceptance was amazing. thier courage over obstacles was a triumph all in itself. people often wonder what it must ne like to be allinated from your family and cut off from ypour freinds, after this book no one need wonder. u feel her pain her anger her sorrow and her love for her children and husband. this bok is amazing! she was a strong lady and raised kids who all become somthing docters proffesors and teacher! she was amazing and im sure still is its a good read and it touches ur soul, ur heart and u cry in a way that only angels can hear.
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Summary: A Great Book - A Wonderful Experience!
Review: "The Color of Water" by James McBride is a beautifully written and memorable tribute by a black man to his white Jewish mother. I was so touched by the story of Ruth McBride Jordan and her 12 black children. Ruth, born Rachel Shilsky, is the daughter of a failed Orthodox rabbi and his handicapped wife,growing up in the South. She was abused by her father and was deserted by her family when she fled to Harlem and married a black man. As a widow she raised her 12 children by herself. There was very little money and hard times. However, she always instilled in her family her strong faith in God and her powerful belief in the value of a good education. She guided them through college and graduate school to become professional and successful adults.James McBride is such a gifted writer and the story just flows. I especially enjoyed the format of the book (each chapter switching back and forth from the life of the mother to the life of the son). I am so thankful to the author for sharing his wonderful story and for introduing his fascinating mother who said it all when she told him that God is "The Color of Water". I recommend you read this book....You won't be disappointed..It's the BEST!
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Summary: My favorite book of all time!
Review: I actually bought this book in the bookstore because of the title. Color of Water. I thought how poetic and it grabbed my interest. Then I saw the rest of title a black man's tribute to his jewish mother. Now, I am caucasian and not of the jewish decent, but this book, which I had nothing in common with blew me away. I have read it over and over. The author writes in such a marvelous, vivid and poetic way it inspires me. As I too enjoy writing. I have mascara stained pages. One of my favorite parts of the book is when he goes back to revisit where his mother came from and imagines what it was like for her and his grandmother. I loved this book. It is so inspiring what this whole family has accomplished. I even wrote to Oprah and suggested it for her book club. I have told friends and they have asked to borrow the book I won't give them mine but will buy them their own copy. That book goes on every trip I do. I just do not want to ever lose it. I really like how the story was told. Each chapter would fluxuaute with the storyteller. James or his mother. I HIGHLY recommend to anyone to read this. It will move and touch you in ways you could never imagine.
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Summary: extraordinary subject, compassionate and compelling
Review: the world being the way it is, relatively few books by black men make it into print. still fewer are by black men with a white mother. james mcbride has great stories to tell - how could he not, coming from a family with 12 children? he also tells them well. i didn't initially expect much from the book (didn't like the cover), and yet i found myself compelled to finish it. suprisingly, perhaps - given that i'm a white-skinned englishman - i relished its compassion: that is, i didn't find it the least bit icky.
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Summary: Familiar and Understanding
Review: The Color of Water is a great book. It's an eye-opener. Once you open it, you will not put it down. It's good how it flips back and forth between his and his mother's life. It only has one flaw. That is that it is too repetitious. I am not sure whether I am telling too much, but it talks about one event, goes to another, then it comes back to the first event and explains it better. It shows how if you are struggling and you focus yourself, anything is possible. All twelve children went from nothing to somethings. It shows their struggles and hardships. I recommend this book to everyone and hope they feel the same way that I do.
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Summary: The best book I have ever read!
Review: This is a truly wonderful book. I cried and then I laughed so hard that I cried...I wanted more. Oprah if your listening---this one needs to be recommended to the world!
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