Rating: 
Summary: This book made me a more tolerant person.
Review: I was bowled over by The Color of Water and, more particularly, by James McBride. This book details his mother, a white Jewish woman who married his father, a black man. She was ostracized by her family, yet love prevailed. She was a truly remarkable woman, especially considering that this happened a number of years ago when the country wasn't even as tolerant as it is now. Imagine being part of an interracial and interfaith marriage in the 40s or 50s. The amazing thing is how she raised her children to be caring, sensitive, educated individuals. The McBrides had nothing except love, humanity and grace. The book is particularly effective in the way it alternates the history of his parents', especially his mother's, life with his own story. I defy anyone to read this book and not come away with a new respect for anyone who's "different" and who lives his life merely as a good human being.
Rating:
Summary: A wonderful book about the power of love and family.
Review: This is a wonderful book about love, family and a woman determined to rise above racism. Her simple response that God "is the color of water" to her children's questions about God's color sends a powerful message to all of us. We are all God's children and he is colorblind.
Rating:
Summary: Well-Written
Review: The Color of Water is a very moving portrait on the relationship between a son and his mother. The book is a great tribute to the mother's strength and perseverence in raising twelve children. It is an excellent book and well worth reading. Thank you for writing this book.
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Summary: UNFORGETTABLE BOOK
Review: THE COLOR OF WATER IS NOT THE BEST BOOK I HAVE EVER READ, BUT IT IS ONE I SHALL REMEMBER FOR A LONG TIME. FIRST, AS A WOMAN I ADMIRE RUTH MCBRIDE'S BRAVERY IN LEAVING HER FAMILY, MARRYING A BLACK MAN AT A TIME WHEN INTERRACIAL MARRIAGES WERE NOT ACCEPTED BY SOCIETY, AND IN RAISING TWELVE VERY PRODUCTIVE CHILDREN. AS A MOTHER I TRULY APPRECIATE JAMES' RESPECT FOR HIS MOTHER AS HE RECOUNTS A STORY THAT HAD TO BE PAINFUL FOR HIM TO TELL.. HIS LOVE FOR HER AND PRIDE IN HER ACCOMPLISHMENTS SHINES ON EACH PAGE. MY ONLY REGRET IS THAT IT ENDED TOO SOON. I THINK JAMES MCBRIDE HAS TAKEN A SAD YET ENLIGHTENING STORY AND CREATED A WONDERFUL BOOK. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT.
Rating:
Summary: A story that can touch anyone's heart
Review: This too-incredible to be true work of non-fiction touches on so many of the racial issues that still plague American society without condemning or praising any specific group of people. McBride's voice is pure. He writes clearly as well. The book is an easy read and I recommend it to anyone, but I especially think that any American or person who deals with American society daily - under whatever title - would benefit from reading this book.
Rating: 
Summary: Disturbing Reading
Review: I enjoyed the book and could not put it down. It was a well-written story of a multiracial man searching for his roots. I am very disturbed, however, about his mother's Jewish family and their treatment by their autocratic father/husband. This is not a pretty picture and is not "inspiring" and "moving" as the book has been described by others. Also, his mother is not an angel by any standards as she frequently beat her children and provided food from her purse for the first ones to grab the purse. She denied her Jewish heritage and sought to hide in a black person's world. Notwithstanding the above, I would recommend the book.
Rating:
Summary: An inspiring, incredible true story.
Review: Our book group of 8 universally loved this moving story, which felt more like fiction than reality to most of us -- so unreal was it that a white woman raised a dozen black children of her own. Their lives were remarkable, yet they lived through considerable poverty. All the children graduated college and achieved. Very inspiring!
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Summary: American Dreams Attained!
Review: I'm a much greater fan of fiction than I am of non-fiction, but I was compelled to read this book seeing as it was making the rounds in my office and receiving nothing but lofty praises. Additionally, one of the many brothers of the author holds a position in the government of the city in which I was raised; all the signs seemed to point me in the direction of this book. I am grateful. James McBride means to tell you the remarkable and touching story of his mother, her struggles with family, friends and fortune (or the lack thereof); her sacrifices for the greater good of her twelve children and their futures; her faith in God and her fight for a piece of the possibilities available to her heirs. And Mr. McBride succeeds in honoring his mother as she so aptly deserves. But more importantly and more subtly, what Mr. McBride paints for us is the portrait of his own life - a life of boyhood questions, doubts and fears that take him a lifetime to resolve. And how ironic that the battle of self is won only after learning of and seeking out the hidden past of the only constant throughout his life - the woman he calls "Mommy." The most important theme of this book, at least for me, is the evolution of family: the racial, geographical, physical, spiritual, religious, educational, emotional and financial growth of one core family with a dark, diverse history that spans many generations. The result of which is the true attainment of the American dream. And for Ruth McBride Jordan, I get the feeling it's also a sweet one!
Rating: 
Summary: Strong family, not so strong book
Review: Unfortunately, I didn't get the rave feelings that this title evoked in so many. I definately applaud Mrs. McBride for her remarkable child-rearing despite their hardships and the theme of a strong family core is always appreciated. However, overall the text was flat and redundant, the topic itself (confusion over racial identity)--although common and realistic--was very frustating, and no particular point of the book was expounded on enough to satisfy my concerns or curiosities. I appreciate its literary contribution but this story just disappointed and irritated me.
Rating:
Summary: To miss this book is to miss out on an incredibly moving exp
Review: Not only does the author have an incredible story to tell but he tells it so well. What could well be an extremely distressing story is made the more poignant through the objectivity the author seems to convey whilst subtly reinforcing his love, respect and admiration for his mother. The story ends on such a positive note, it made me go straight back and start reading again. The thought that ran through my mind is that I hope I have learned not to take my parents for granted, or the pleasures of life. I can not recommend this book highly enough; I think if I hadn't read it I would have missed out on an incredible experience. I really believe this to be far more moving than "Angela's Ashes". I believe all her hard work paid off beautifully and this is the finest tribute any mother could ever receive.
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