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Summary: book review
Review: This book is an excellent example of the struggle of a black student from an inner city school, to an ivy league college. It tells the story of the aspirations which a hard working, black student posseses and how hard he will work to acheive his goals. It highlights the struggles which he encounters an also tells about how he overcomes them. A must read for any college bound student, no matter race or gender.
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Summary: Good story.
Review: The story itself is interesting, but the way the author tells it is questionable. He writes as if omniscient. Like he can read everyones mind. Doesn't ask direct questions. Tries to leave himself out, even though he must be intruding rather heavily. But, the subject matter is very compelling, and well detailed.
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Summary: A Hope in th Unseen Review
Review: I really enjoyed this book and reading about the life of Cedric. In many ways I could relate to Cedric, having the experience of attending a D.C. public school and being an a single-parent household stuggling from paycheck to paycheck. I liked being able to recognize street manes and places in the book. It was if I was there with him and actually was understanding what he was going through. But I guess I didn't have it as bad as Cedric in that I eventually recieved a scholarship to attend a D.C. private school. I think this is a must read for anybody and everybody. this book tells about the terrible situation of the D.C. public schools along with telling the plight of many of these D.C. residents living on the other side of the Anacostia river that are forgotten. This book truly brings these situations to light. Hopefully this book won't just be read and put down but people will go out and make a change.
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Summary: An important and interesting read
Review: i highly recomend this book. I felt that Suskind did a great job getting into the life of Cedric Jennings considering the obsticals he had to deal with (the race difference and other such barriers). Not only was this book informative and engaging, it was also a profound look at a part of society that is sometime's overlooked.
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Summary: An Intriquing Odyssey
Review: "A Hope in the Unseen" is an accurate portrayal of Cedric Jenning's struggle to succeed despite the poor education that he received at Ballou High School in Washington, DC. I believe Ron Suskind did an amazing job recounting Cedric's emotions throughout his experiences in high school, at the MIT MITES program, and at Brown University, especially since he never actually asked Cedric exactly how he was feeling at these particular moments. Reading this book was an eye-opening experience that made me realize the importance of drive and persistance and taught me that when you put your mind to something, you can accomplish anything, despite the obstacles put in your path.
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Summary: A Powerful and Compelling Story
Review: Cedric Jennings' journey from Southeast D.C. at Ballou High School to the MITES program at MIT to Brown University proved to be truely inspiring and almost disheartening at the same time. It is truely wonderful how a boy with so little external motivation can end up to become an inspiration for so many. Between Barbra Jennings' clear devotion and love for her son and Cedric's will, he will clearly go far in life. This book is well- written and certinly a must- read. However, Cedric seemed to put all of his eggs in one basket when it came to breaking free from a typical life in Southeast. He goes as far to think that getting into the program at MIT will let his life begin, and is desprate to go to an Ivy league college. With it is understood taht MIT or Brown will clearly prove that Cedric has indeed "made it", there were plenty of other options that he was blind to. The seemingly pretenteous people at Brown along with his difficulty socially makes me wonder why he didn't read the other excerpts in his college book in which he discovered Brown. There are plenty of other schools out theree, especialy wthout the competitive nature, but an emphesis on internal motivation. It is fortrtunate that his experiance at Brown was not a let down as the MITES program seemed to be,and we are all truely grateful for this.
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Summary: WOW! A BOOK FOR ALL TO READ!
Review: I had the fortunate experience of teaching in the South Bronx for 3 years. I say fortunate because the experience was priceless. I worked with some excellent administrators and teachers. I had the pleasure of teaching some wondeful kids aswell. However, I would be lying if I said all was well. It was a challenge everyday. Anyone who has taught in a inner city school anywhere knows all that goes on in a day. I only wish I had read this book while I was still teaching in the city. It really did show that some good can come out of such a rough life. I think this book should be mandatory reading for all new teachers. I also think all new teachers should work in an inner city school before they move to the greener pastures of suburban life. I hope Cedric continues to excell in all he does...
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Summary: Shame, Shame
Review: A Black reporter for Ebony magazine plucks an aspiring youth from a White slum, plumps him down in elitist Howard University, watches him flounder, then writes a book that wins adulation and praise.Believable? No? Then why should we believe - a White reporter for the Wall Street Journal plucks an aspiring youth from the Black ghetto, plumps him down in elitist Brown University, watches him flounder, then writes a book that wins adulation and praise? Why? Because it actually happened. I believe White William Bennett when he says Virtue counts. I believe Black Thomas Sowell when he says Culture counts. What I don't believe are the 'messages' I get from Suskind: Blacks live in dysfunctional families, immersed in crime and drugs; they don't quite measure up mentally; and, they can't make it without help from Suskind's kind. Shame on Ron Suskind AND the Wall Street Journal. If I were a Black parent and wanted to counter these 'messages,' I would tell my children every day - Booker T. Washington brought honor and fame to Tuskegee Institute, not vice versa.
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Summary: A book 300 pages too short...
Review: Wow! Ron Suskind has done an incredible service for mankind. This book SHOULD be read by everyone, but MUST be read by high school students, teachers, and college professors. As a teacher, I intend to use in in our high school curricula. It will forever change the way I perceive people of color, and I'm sure my students will agree. It is an invaluable tool, better than any textbook. Thank you Mr. Suskind for letting us peer into the lives of these incredible people.
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Summary: Thank God for this book.
Review: I heard Mr. Suskind on NPR last year and have been carrying a scrap of paper for a year. I finally read the book last week--worth the wait! I am struck by the willingness of a young man to allow himself to be portrayed in such naked honesty, and by the willingness of the author to dare to write this book. For many Americans it may be the only way they wake up to the reality of life "on the other side" of D.C. I pray to God some of us pay attention this time - the crime would be to forget about the thousands of Cedrics who are missing the same opportunities, for getting out of the ghetto (I think) is a game of seconds and inches.
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