Rating: 
Summary: Great Autobiography
Review: In Raising Fences, a true autobiography by Michael Datcher whom is an African American Man living in the inner part of Los Angeles, he tells us the story of his life. Growing up as a fatherless child was not always the easiest thing for him. The twist about his life is that he was a young man who was given up for adoption because his mother was a young teenager who couldn't raise him. He grew up a streetwise child who had once committed theft. He tells us that he was unaware of the idea of being adopted until the age of five because as a child he could never understand what went on in his life. the first thing we learn is that Michael was different from most of his peers, he always had the dream of living in a beautiful house with a white picket fence. He had the idea of living the "ideal" life. He's a very smart young man studying at UCLA. One day he goes to a club and he meets a woman named Camille whom he believes isn't really "the one" but is a girl he is just intimate with and thinks wouldn't last. Throughout the story we experience the difficult journey his life always was and the difficulties of wanting to achieve his dream.
What's so great about this book is we can actually experience what the writer is telling us. We live his life through his eyes and we feel what the author feels. We learn it's not always easy for someone to live in America and with having obstacles in life it shouldn't be impossible. He shows us a courageous heart full of love and true passion for his beliefs. Even though he tries to point out the African-American stereotypes about men, he still lives through the idea of the American Dream meaning the house with a white picket fence. It's a book about finding himself as well as the love for a significant other. I would recommend this book to a mature young adult or adult. This book can really be enjoyed by anyone and if your anything like me, someone who likes to see things from other peoples perspectives, this is definitely one of those types of books.
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Rating:
Summary: Absolutely Wonderful
Review: This book allowed me to see a side of a black man that I had never seen before. I was allowed to experience the turmoil, betrayal, joy of new love, and pain of heartbreak. The honesty and passion drove me to read more. I strongly suggested this book to my brother who was going through the same thing, and I still suggest it as a must read for any man because Michael allows you to experience what it tuly means to be a man all at one time. This was truly an eye opener, and I thank Michael for the experience.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent read
Review: I also found Datcher's work inspiring, his description of african american life was AMAZING, growing up in an all white town, wanting to know more about diversity-this book said it all. Any age, any race, read it. The description captures the reader and allows them to feel what his life was really like!
Rating:
Summary: Excellent!
Review: I finished this book in two days. As a 40 year old divorced black woman, mother of a 15 year son and sister to 6 brothers, I found Mr. Datcher gave great insight as to how black men think & feel - not the way WE think they think & feel. The whole experiences of growing up fatherless; peer pressures; surviving the streets; first sexual experiences; almost repeating the cycle of becoming a father out of wedlock in a loveless relationship to finding real, true, life-sharing, deep, committed love will keep you hooked. I loved the raw, heart-breaking honesty of the poetry during 'open-mike' nights @ the poetry club! I would love to give a copy of this book to each of my brothers - this is highly recommended read!!!
Rating:
Summary: Illuminating and Thought Provoking
Review: I am an African-American woman who prides herself on being informed and racially conscious. However, this book gave me a more in depth understanding of the difficulties faced by black men. Because of our reluctance to discuss the less positive aspects of life in our community, we do not address issues like fatherlessness. Michael Datcher makes it clear that boys who grow up without fathers are at terrible risk of acting out under the most negative types of peer pressure. He also discusses the choices and habits that far too many black women engage in that have terrible consequences for them and their children. Of course these are very emotional and complex issues, but we must not shirk our responsibility to address them as best we can. Raising Fences is a must read.
Rating:
Summary: An enlightening and thought-provoking read
Review: I first saw this book at an airport bookstore and then checked it out from my library at home. Boy am I glad that I did. This book was deeper than I expected. It helped shatter stereotypes of the black community, explaining in a way that is accessible to blacks, whites, and I would imagine other minorities as well. As a biracial person (black/white) raised in a predominantly white environment this book forced me to confront some preconceived notions I held concerning race, but was very thought-provoking in terms of religion, community, love, etc, in addition to race. Although I enjoyed James McBride's THE COLOR OF WATER, Michael Datcher's book keeps that memoir feel but challenges the reader more with its ideas. RAISING FENCES should be read by anyone who is interested in racial relations in the US today. It is also of interest to those interested in family and churches and communities in America.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent - Well Written - A Page Turner
Review: I found this book to be well-written and insightful. It allows a glimpse into the mind of a positive black man. I learned a LOT! I could not put it down - and when I did, I could not wait to get back to it!
Rating:
Summary: I was amazed how this book drew me into myself.
Review: I have been reading stories of black American males trying to find their way in this sea of inequality that we call our sweet land of liberty. This book was so exquisitely written and so honest. As Datcher says in the text, poetry is truth, he exposes some hard truths and some ugly sides of the city, of education and of love.
I would also recommend another perspective told from the point of view of a white wife who loves and suffers over her black man's burden called Every Secret Thing by Cynthia Marlee Preston. That was a quick read and very insightful.
Good luck to you and your wife, Michael. Remember we live for eternity, not for life. Peace out, bro.
Rating:
Summary: Compelling look into a Black Man's mind
Review: I generally don't care for memoirs. They seem so self absorbed. However, I am pleased to say Raising Fences is a well written and interesting. I read the entire book in five hours, and I can recommend it to my friends. It talks about experiences from a brother's perspective that have not been shared. The experience with his ex-girlfriend, Camille tells a story from a different viewpoint than is common, and really helps to see things from the other side. It made me understand a little better why so many Black men are so involved in their male friendships. And isn't that what a good memoir should do?
Rating:
Summary: Best book I've read in awhile
Review: This book speaks to anyone who is at the margins of society and has felt the anger, fear and hurt that comes along with being a racial or ethnic minority. While this book describes the struggles of urban black men in life and love, many others can relate to the experiences of the author. It is also a touching love story that revives hopes of true love and soul mates. The poetry throughout the novel is moving. This book is honest, inspiring, and well-written. I would recommend it to anyone ready to truly enjoy a good book.
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