Rating: 
Summary: An inspiring story
Review: Ron Suskind tells the story of Cedric Jennings, following him from his senior year at Ballou, pegged as one of the worst Washington, DC public schools, through his first two years at Brown University, one of America's premier universities.Cedric has something of a support network -- some caring teachers, a strong religious background, a loving, hardworking mother -- and some scholarships and unique opportunities that open doors. Yet, even with some structure in place, he is not completely equipped to deal with the academic and social pressures of the Ivy League life. Even some of the people in Cedric's own DC community do not approve of his efforts to become successful. Suskind points out that minority scholarships most often benefit middle and upper class students, while people like Cedric, with an inner city, working class upbringing, rarely receive the kind of financial support necessary for a superior education. Little help exists for those who are truly "disadvantaged." In light of how few supports he had, it is a true inspiration to read about Cedric's eventual success. I hope that some of the anger at the disparities between rich and poor that this book arouses can be channeled into finding ways to help people like Cedric, and his less lucky peers.
Rating:
Summary: An Unfinished Work
Review: Suskind does a spectacular job in producing the odyssey of Cedric Jennings' transition from a deprived world to an environment rich with experiences both intellectual and cultural. It is an amazing and heroic story. In some respects, A HOPE IN THE UNSEEN is written too much like a novel. For example, the book includes a substantial number of quoted dialogs and conversations. Clearly, Suskind wasn't present nor were these experiences videoed or tape-recorded. For me -- and I may be alone one this - the book loses much of its credibility in the telling of this true story. On the other hand, I suspect Suskind developed this strategy to make the book more readable for the general public. This leads me to have one thought. To what degree is this story true? I am reassured that most of the writing is an accurate depiction of Cedric's life story because Cedric would have read it and would have commented on the accuracy of it. In addition, pages 369-370 provide some reassurance. I think in many ways, A HOPE IN THE UNSEEN is an unfinished book. For me, the book ends rather abruptly. Cedric merely begins his long journey. If he continues to progress successfully in his academic career, I feel sure that we will see an additional book. If not... well, you know what that will mean. Although the book ends abruptly, it ends with optimism. The book, when taken as a totality, is the strongest argument for affirmative action. To bring the point home, I required my social work students to read CREATING EQUAL: MY FIGHT AGAINST RACE PREFERENCES by Ward Connerly. Regardless of their race, students begin to develop sympathy for those who oppose affirmative action. Immediately following their reading of Connerly's work, I require them to read A HOPE IN THE UNSEEN. Cedric's life provides the strongest argument for affirmative action. It is utterly fascinating to witness students synthesizing the content of these two well-written books. So, I recommend that everyone read both books - one immediately following the other.
Rating: 
Summary: A story of persistence over struggles and triumph!
Review: When I picked up this book, I didn't know what I'd think of it. It's not the normal kind of book I read, but as this month's book club selection, I gave it a chance. And I was quite impressed. I thoroughly enjoyed the story of Cedric. Coming from middle-class white suburbia, but not far from Detroit, I was familiar of the struggle for inner-city kids to strive, but not with their perceptions of it. This book opened up my eyes to some realities and feelings, I never had thought about before. For instance, how it's not only very difficult to get a good education or good grades in the inner city, but how you're ostracized by your peers for trying. This is a story of how Cedric ignored the taunting of fellow students, how he earned a chance at the Ivy league and then we learn the struggle doesn't stop there. For a boy who was salutatorian at his high school, his education level is still far below most of those in the Ivy leagues. The story is about his efforts to make the grade, fit in at school and become comfortable in his own skin. Just reading about his obstacles made me tired for him! I enjoyed the book, especially how we did get to see the world by more than just Cedric's eyes, but also by his mothers, his fathers and friends. I think this gave the story a pick-me-up when otherwise it would have gotten boring. To anyone who is interested in this topic, I'd recommend this book.
Rating:
Summary: A bittersweet read...excellent nonetheless
Review: I rated this book 4 stars for Suskind's writing style. The main character,Cedric Jennings, well, he should get 6 stars for tenacity alone (as should his mother, Barbara). This was an eye-opening book, especially for someone like myself who lives in a country setting far away from inner-city strife and hardship. Cedric endures the taunts and ostracism of his inner-city high school peers because he is bright, motivated, and interested in learning. (His mother's infleunce should not be underestimated here, nor should Cedric's faith and the support of his church.) He succeeds beyond all odds in getting accepted to Brown University, only to learn that it's very difficult to fit in and be understood there as well. Poor Cedric doesn't seem to fit in anywhere he goes and yet, he "stays the course" in spite of a mulitude of reasons why he should not. What a wonderful triumph and inspriration his story is. I'd highly recommend it- particularly to non-African American readers who most likely don't have clue what it takes to get out of the ghetto- really. This- "just go out and get a job" mentality we "majority" folks spout needs to be blown up. Read this story and you'll see what real inner-city people are up against. It may change the way you view things and may even inspire you to want to do something about the way things are.
Rating:
Summary: Read the book. It's really good.
Review: Both sides of the affirmative action debate could profit by reading this book. Contrary to the picture painted by many proponents of affirmative action, Cedric Jennings was given enormous preferences, both in college admission and financing. His abilities when admitted to Brown appeared to be far below the typical Brown student. The book mentions no overt acts of white racism that stood in his way. In fact he had a white benfactor who generously sent him money and gifts to help him along. On the other hand, opponents of preferences often focus on 'fairness.' Reading this book it is obvious that life has been far from fair to Cedric, and the preferences he received don't change this fact. It becomes clear that the obstacles to 'success' in the 'white' world for Cedric are primarilly cultural. The question we need to answer is whether it is a good idea to place much less qualified blacks into institutions like Brown. This story shows that such students can succeed to some extent, although it is not quite a resounding success. Cedric's presence at Brown certainly did provide the Brown students with more diversity of perspective (although the vast majority of affirmative action beneficiaries come from much better circumstances than Cedric, and black students at Brown tend to segregate themselves socially to a large extent). Whatever one's oppinions on these matters, one comes away from this book with a great admiration for Cedric's determination and accomplishment. I wish I could hear more about his life as it develops in the future.
Rating:
Summary: Rising to the occasion...reaching the unseen
Review: Cedric's trials as an intelligent black youth growing up in Washington DC and going to Ballou High School are well expressed in this book by Ron Suskind. His story and hopes to rise above his surroundings and his past are inspiring and moving. I really enjoyed getting a glimpse inside the life of someone like Cedric, being a District resident myself. However there were a few things about the book that I found to be a bit strange. I think that the book would be very differently written had a black writer taken on this story, and I also feel that more focus could have been around Cedric's home life, with more emphasis on his mother Barbara. The book does a good job of looking at his education which is really the main point and driving force behind Cedric's life, and this story. The story of a real youth struggling to succeed and not be tor apart by his peers or by anyone else who may discourage him makes a very thought provoking book. I really did like most aspects of this book and found it to be a very intriguing read. It is not a particularly fast read, but still, the book managed to keep my attention and I did enjoy this book thoroughly.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent
Review: A great book! I read it cover to cover in a day, it was compelling. You feel like you're part of Cedric's story.
Rating:
Summary: Beauty found in Hope in the Unseen
Review: While flipping channels one day on my TV, I stumbles upon a writer doing a reading of his Pulitzer Prize winning book entitled Hope in the Unseen. Moments later the main character from the book, Cedric himself, stepped to the mic and took questions about the experience, and the book itself. I was riveted! This was facinating! I ran out and got the book, and was literally swept away by the story, the strength, and the bitter sweetness of the struggle illustrated so well. This book was a profound experience for me. Not only does the author use words in the most beautiful manner, but the story is so unashamed in it's stark compassion and truth. There were so many parts of this book that brought tears to my eyes. I felt privilaged to catch a glimpse of the vulnerability of this courageous, flawed, strong, optimistic young man. This book gave me hope for all young people out in the world facing seemingly insurmountable odds. I wanted to stand up and cheer at the end, I felt like this kid was going to be better than "OK", that he was going to have a richly rewarding life because he wasn't afraid to push himself along his journey. Every teen in school should be required to read this book, and every adult should read it so that we can change the attitudes in this world one family at a time.
Rating:
Summary: Crossing the line of diversity
Review: Get ready for an all nighter...this book is extremely captivating! As you've probably read through the editorial reviews, it is the story of an African American young man in his last year of high school and in his beginning college years. I had to read this book for a college diversity class as we were discussing the baggage different ethnicities carry with them at all times. This book showed me the world through the eyes of Cedric, an African American boy struggling to overcome his hardships and make something of his life. Suskind did a wonderful job at getting inside Cedric's head and writing the book in his perspective. This book is definitely one of the best books I have read in a while and certainly opened my eyes to a different world. I highly recommend this book for any college student living on a diverse campus or for anyone who is searching for a wonderful story.
Rating:
Summary: A good read for college students, but not without its flaws
Review: A Hope in the Unseen tells the story of Cedric Jennings, a lower income black student who is stuck in a terrible neighborhood in Washington DC. Cedric strives to work hard in high school in hopes that he will find some way out of the "ghetto" lifestyle that has suffacated some many of his friends and family. Cedric's dream comes true when he is accepted into Brown University, but it comes with a cost. At Brown, Cedric has to deal with classes that he feels unprepared for, and feels alienated from the mostly white, upperclass student body at Brown. But Cedric is surely not a quiter. It is uplifting to see Cedric's personal story of success unfold page after page. At the end of the book, it seems that Cedric has come to terms with Brown Unversity, his religious beliefs, and most importantly, himself. A few other reviewers have mentioned that Cedric's story is not particulary exceptional. This belief arises from the still quite controversial issue of affirmative action-like practices that effect acceptance to several colleges and universities around the country. Cedric has stellar high school grades and extra-curricular activies, but this would normally not be enough to grant acceptance into an Ivy League school for a white student with the same qualifications. The main issue addressed is that Cedric's SAT score of only about 960 would immediately disqualify him from Brown if he were white. Personally, I have mixed feelings about this issue. Truthfully, this topic disturbed me when I applied to college. I knew several students that had worse GPAs and SAT/ACT scores than I, but still got into better schools. Most people didn't mention it much, but most people believed that the only reason why they got accepted was because they were black. Cedric's story turned me around on the issue a little though. When I read about what Cedric had to go through just to get a decent education out of high school, I truely believe that he deserved to go to Brown. However, this is not the case with every school. For instance, my high school was a very good school, so anyone who went there really had an equal oppertunity to do well if they wanted to. Plus, many of the African American students that I went to school with came from similar economic backgrounds as I did. So I guess I still have mixed feelings about this issue. Finally, although this was quite an uplifting book, I did have just a few problems with it. The first is that Cedric felt that he had to go to an Ivy League school or all his struggles were worthless. Not the case. Many students don't get into there top choice schools, but a good student can succeed anywhere. College is a whole different ballpark than high school. Personally, I think that Ivy League schools are just money grubbing institutions anyway. Its more about what you learn in college than where you go to school. Secondly, why did Cedric take almost all of his classes pass/fail? That really won't look too good on a transcript. It also seems that some of the insights directed toward Cedric by his teachers make it seem that he is further behind than the other students just because he is black. The whole race issue in the book is never really resolved because at the book's end, it is mentioned that Cedric later mostly hung out with other black students. Not the most diversifying ending. Overall, A Hope in the Unseen is quite a good book though. Cedric's rise from poverty to the Ivy League is heroing and can be appreciated by people of any color. This book is a good pick for a college reader.
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