Rating: 
Summary: Wow
Review: In the past six months, I have read a lot of books, only to be mostly disappointed with the ones I've chosen. Books today seem to be full of filth and sex. This is the only book that I've given a 5 star rating to on amazon.com so that says a lot. I absolutely loved this book and found it to be a breath of fresh air! I didn't want to finish it because I was enjoying it so much. As did other readers, I wanted more of Ruth's story in the book because she was so fascinating. But, unlike some reviewers, I enjoyed the story about the author because it also gave insight about Ruth's life. I will be recommending this book to all my friends.
Rating:
Summary: A very moving, warm-hearted story of a family-saga
Review: I purchased this book at a book-store in Washington,D.C. last winter. I was interested in the title, because I have a black friend in the States and wanted to read something about matters of color. It happened to me, that this book touched me the more I read. I could not stop reading! Unusually for me! A story about a black man that tries to find out more about his background and where he comes from. I caught myself crying. Probably the most touching book I have ever read. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in real life!
Rating: 
Summary: So honest I really disliked the author.
Review: Not that I disliked his being honest, but that he relates things that really put me totally out of sympathy with him - and he relates them with (seemingly) a total absence of shame or even regret! Put me way, way off. On the other side, I was very interested in his mother's story, and disappointed that we weren't told more. As a "tribute" to his mother, it was more self-centered than it should have been.
Rating: 
Summary: Nice story, not much else.
Review: I look for two things in a book: 1) Action 2) IdeasThis book had neither. It was a very good story. But it wasn't compelling at all.
Rating:
Summary: Outstanding
Review: "The Color of Water: A Black Man's Tribute to his White Mother" Is one of the most fascinating books I have ever read. From the moment I began I was unable to put it down unitil I was finished. It is truly a must read for all generations, colors, and creeds!
Rating: 
Summary: Warm, witty, and wise.
Review: McBride's tribute to his mother is an entertaining and quick read. He describes -- alternating between his reflections and her recollections -- how she and their large family overcame obstacles, shortages, and setbacks with large doses of determination and love. You can read this book in a few hours, but it will give you things to think or laugh about long after you've finished it.
Rating:
Summary: One woman's awesome courage and accomplishments.
Review: Couldn't put it down - had to go straight thru this book at one sitting. Mr. McBride gives us the story in jagged pieces, the way he extracted it from his mother, so that we, the reader, get a strong sense of her reluctant telling. Altho' I wish he had given more color (than the color of water?) and substance to the other characters, I understand that in selecting the style that he did, it's as tho' visiting their crowded, hectic home for the first time and gathering impressions of the people, but not a depth of knowledge. This keeps the story focused on Ruth and James, where it belongs. His identity confusion, fear and anger growing up rang so true, (similar to feelings I remember having) that I was astonished. My congratulations to Mr. McBride. It's a beautiful, fine book and I've already begun sharing it with friends.
Rating:
Summary: An Interesting,Easy Read
Review: I did not purchase this book at amazon.com, but instead at a large retailer where I was desperately searching for something to read as I impatiently waited for my amazon.com order to arrive. After reading the jacket cover and the first few pages, I couldn't wait to get it home and devour it. I was both delighted and dissapointed. First, I agree with some of the previous reviewers that wanted to know more about the writer's mother (afterall, the book's supposed to be a "tribute" to her, isn't it?). I also wanted to know more about the family, a more in depth look at this family. However, it would have been an entirely different book had the author chosen to deal with either of these aspects in anymore than the superficial way that he chose instead. If you are looking for depth, you're not going to get it with this book. If on the other hand, you want amazing honesty, you will find it. The author does not portray his mother as an saint. In fact, one of the most memorable references in the book is the description of how the family dog often pooped in the house and no one would bother to pick it up. Yuck! Even if true, why tell people that? Yet, there are other memorable passages which touch on the love which is the core of the story. For example, the author describes the panic he felt as a child when he learned that his mother was standing next to a member of the Black Panthers and he was sure that she would be killed for being white. In that passage, I felt the pain and terror of a little boy who even at that age wants to protect his protector, his mother. I was also annoyed by the repetative style of writing. How many times do you have to tell the reader of the successes of your siblings? All in all, this is a good memoir, although very superficial. Now I would like to see the author write an indepth novel about his family, instead of dismissing the characters like his sister who left home as a teenager (ok, she got a degree but what happened to her during the interim year! s?).
Rating:
Summary: A compelling glimpse into an 'American' reality
Review: A strong book about the realities of being young from a multi-racial, multi-religious black perspective in the 1950's and 60's in NYC. Parents, society, peers, religion are all dealt with by, what I consider, kindred spirits from the 'other side of the tracks'. I grew up in NYC at the same time, as a first generation American with a different, but equally confusing set of influences. Thought provoking, and an emotional workout at the same time.
Rating:
Summary: very enriching book
Review: I admire James's mother's couragious bravery in haveing married a black man as a white women at that time that the interacial marriage was a taboo. Also, I have a deep respect for her that she had impacted the education and faith on children. Surely, she is a remarkable person. I've learned a good lesson that no matter where we live, we will meet good people and bad people. However, how we are going to overcome our difficult situation will be probromatic. In that respect, James's mother got through her obstacle amazingly in her strength by who she was and where she came from. This woman showed all the positive motivations to her children, knowing the fact that she was surrounded with unhapy , miserable, and disfunctional family life.
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