The Color of Water: A Black Man's Tribute to His White Mother

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Summary: A thought-provoking and interesting book.
Review: The Color of Water is the story of a courageous and eccentric woman as seen by her son. The book captures that moment of life when a child grows up and realizes for the first time that his mother is a woman, not just a mother or wife, but a woman with womanly desires and dreams, wants and troubles. It touches upon the issues of self identity through race and religion. Ruth McBride finds her own salvation in a black man and his love for the church. She leaves her Orthodox Jewish family to create a church and raise 12 black children. Although in popular reviews she is touted as the heroine of the novel, She raises her children in squallid and often filthy conditions. Despite this she does provide the best possible education for all of them. It is a very readable book, and a "quick read" but chock - full of food for thought. Enjoy!

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Summary: McBride Master of Media Manipulation
Review: I marvelled at the tale, not the telling. I came away feeling tantalized, that there was the makings for a great book but the author had not given us his final draft. The book reads at times like a diary, giving some very intense facts but no insight into the why's and how's of this fascinating family. This book felt like the publisher's world version of the television "sweeps" week; where the delivered product never lives up to all the hype.Frank McCourt's book, Angela's Ashes, was a much more satisfying memoir. He also recounts a childhood of beating insurmountable odds to become a productive member of society. But McCourt captures the reader with his lyric compassionate style and unlike McBride, completes the characters and story so one is not left with more questions than answers.

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Summary: An intimate look inside a mothers heart.
Review: The Color of Water can soften the hardest heart. Ruth Jordans courage and strength is an inspiration for mothers everywhere.

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Summary: A beautifully written and engaging work
Review: This book was beautiful in the simplicity and honesty of its universal message of family, love, and compassion. A great Mother's Day gift!

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Summary: Heartwarming, Eye-Opening
Review: Ruth McBride was one tough cookie. She managed somehow, against great odds - poverty, racism and ostracism by her own family, to raise twelve educated, productive citizens. The book was very easy to read and the author's love and respect for his mother are evident on every page.
My only criticism is that I wish there had been more about their daily life, the actual struggles within the family and how she kept them all on track, and also how all of those educations were financed, as she was obviously a very resourceful woman when it came to finding the money to send her children to college. Because James McBride was one of the younger children, I wasn't too clear on exactly what their household was like with all those children. I wish there had been more ordinary details.
For anyone who enjoyed this book, I would strongly recommend "There Are No Children Here" by Alex Kotolowitz, which tells the story of two brothers growing up in the Henry Horner Homes ( a nightmare of a housing project) in Chicago. It is one of the best non-fiction books I have ever read.

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Summary: An absorbing story
Review: This is truly a very inspiring book. The interweaving of the author's story and his mother's was well-done. The text is beautiful in its simplicity and candor. This is one of the most interesting nonfictional books I have read in a while. It was very touching at times, but it was also quite humorous at other times. I wish, though, that several loose ends at the end were tied up.

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Summary: Remarkable book with great story
Review: Ruth Mcbride's story touched me as well as James Mcbride's. We written book with humor in the middle. Got a good grade on my essay.

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Summary: James McBride reveals the mother heart , colorfully.
Review: Helping his mother to reveal her story was the intent, but what came about was the revelation of his own anger. James McBride the black son of a white woman, found healing and peace for his life through the revelation of pain, gift of love that was his mothers'. We are honored to participate.

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Summary: Heartwarming, great text and very insightful
Review: "The color of water" was a very entertaining book. Mr McBride did a great job extracting this wonderful tale from his mother. She is one smart lady. Not only was she determined to raise her kids to be the best that they could be, she probably knew that James would be set for life if she opened up and told him her life story. He was forever quitting his job. Mr. McBride could have developed some of his siblings characters, but for some reason, decided not to. Last month we discussed this book in our book club meeting, and had a wonderful time with the book. It helped each and everyone of us look at our own histories and background, as well as try to understand where we came from. Great job Mr. McBride ! This refers to the paperback version of the book

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Summary: A Wonderful Classromm Tool
Review: As a Ph.D. candidate in American history, I must admit that I find little time for "pleasure reading." As an college-level instructor of twentieth-century American history, I am always in search of books that my students will enjoy reading. I have had more success in the classroom with this book than any book I have ever assigned. The Color of Water addresses so many themes (racial identity, family relations and development, religious issues...) that are instrumental to the study of modern America. It is an incredible learning tool that personalizes the study of American history. I recommend it to anyone.