Rating: 
Summary: Searingly honest! Definitely a page turner.
Review: A wonderful book. Although it's her individual story it resonates - hitting you in the heart. Excellently written. I couldn't put it down!
Rating:
Summary: Terrific
Review: A wonderfully smart and moving read. Dickerson's writing is lively, touching and smart. Her story is remarkable (particularly on an underexplored fact of American race relations: the way that the military helps minorities advance), and told with pitch-perfect tone. Finally, a memoir from someone who's actually done something interesting--and brave--with her life.
Rating: 
Summary: Enjoyable, but many gaps in the story
Review: As an African American woman, who also served as an officer in the Air Force during the same time frame of Ms Dickerson, I was anxious to read about her journey through the military. I saw many similarities in our experiences. I found the book to be most compelling in the first 100 pages; her memoir about the foundation laid to make her the person she is today. This was poignant and affecting writing. After high school, she turns from a living, feeling, and thinking young girl to a two-dimensional character. Important events are glossed-over/minimized. For example her treatment of sex and her relationships with men or really...anybody. There was little or no acknowledgement of her relationships with anyone outside of her parents and her little brother. She occasionally mentioned a boyfriend by name, but apparently other than getting her into Harvard Law School, they had very little impact on her life or the way that she sees the world. Same goes for roommates during OTS and her time as an enlisted person in the Air Force. These people are apparently (by theri ommission) unimportant to her intellectual/emotional development as an adult. Her journey became about the environment she was navigating and her perceptions thereof. A very sparsely drawn environment at that. It was the literary equivalent of her looking through the glass at other peoples lives and judging them rather than experiencing and examining her own life. She did address something that I think is unfortunately overlooked: how middle and upper class blacks feel and interact within their own culture and amongst themselves. She nailed it. I saw similar attitudes and behavior. Ms Dickerson seems to have bountiful book knowledge, but not necessarily emotional intelligence. Unless she is in charge, she doesn't seem to do well. Whether she had stayed in the Air Force, gotten a job at a big law firm or stayed with the NAACP, the social skills required are similar, and (on the basis of this book) it seems to be something she lacks/or doesn't have the stomach for. As a writer, she is her own boss and has a choice as to what to write. Her success is dependent on her choices rather than working with others (or working with others to a lesser degree). Weird, I get the impression that her success as a writer hinges more on her very impressive resume and connections, than on her ability to write (She is very good writer, though I would not characterize her as gifted). Ironic since she is such an Ayn Rand, by-your-bootstraps type of person. Either way, her world to me seems small and lonely, but none-the-less a triumphant. It takes a great deal of courage to write a memoir such as this and to leave oneself open to the thoughts and opinions of others. I salute Ms Dickerson's mettle; she is indeed quite brave and does in my opinion have a lot to say that is relevant, especially today. I did not see anything heroic or life affecting about this book; however, I do think Ms Dickerson is a talented observer and someone whose opinion would have great credibility in my world.
Rating:
Summary: Absolutely Wonderful
Review: At first I was a little hesitant to write a personal review about Debra Dickersons first novel. But I agree wholeheartdly with Ms. Dickerson's sentiment about the lack of tight knit relationships between African American officers in the Air Force. I was astonished when she described the dispositions of African American officers because most of her assertions were accurate. The military is about the only institution where the issue of race is not of question when concerning promotions, but whether the individual has the ability to effectively lead and perform in stressful situtations. Racisim, for the most part, is mostly nonexistent because workcenters are devised of persons stemming from a myriad of cultural and ethnic backgrounds. However, my personal take of African American officers is that they tend to be rather standoffish, especially when dealing with other African Americans of lower rank (enlisted personnel). They display this elitist attitude as if to say they are better than you simply because they went through officer's training school and received a commisssion. The author mentioned how paranoid African American officers would become if many of them were in casual group conversing too long. The issue of quickly disbanding would be suggested mostly out of fear that white officers would become leery of their association. The point of my argument is not to suggest that all African American officers are complete snobs, but rather there is validity to Ms. Dickerson's statements that Black officers try to avoid friendly/profesional contact when it comes to dealing with military members of the same race. I've usually handled these situations by remaining professional and treating them with the same respect that I render to all commissioned officers.
Rating:
Summary: Stunning (though I respect a dissenter).
Review: At one point Debra Dickerson is recalling some of her childhood reading and how the denouement of John Steinbeck's "Of Mice and Men" literally felt like she had been kicked in the stomach. That's how I felt several times while reading this book. It's also how I felt when I read the last line of her New Republic essay "Who Shot Johnny?" in 1996 (the year after the events in this book finished). Ms. Dickerson's life story has both universal themes of self-growth and discovery and a complex history with race issues which I may be able to sympathize with but will never be capable of truly empathizing with. (Sidebar to pre-laws: to the extent Harvard is comparable with other "national"/top law schools, her description of Harvard was just as close to my experience as the very different portrayal found in Scott Turow's "One L" (maybe things have changed...)). At the same time, I respect Deborah Cardinal's caveats and experiences stated below - it's kinda like Roshomon - there's often at least three sides to every story/take on the same events (and in true "honor of the military" tradition, she criticizes under her own name -- why is it when somebody posts a review that is at all critical on Amazon.com people always vote it "not helpful"? Debroah, here's one vote for a book (or at least essay if you don't have the time for a career change) from you too!
Rating:
Summary: Showing by Example
Review: Besides all the other wonderful things it is (some of which you can find in the other reviews and descriptions), this book is a comfort for square pegs everywhere - those who've never felt fully accepted by any of the many groups the world is split into (racial, religious, political, income level, gender, ad infinitum), because full acceptance would mean giving up some part of yourself that you treasure and require you to think of one or more other group as Evil and Not As Human As Us or even The Cause of All the Trouble in the World. The fear and insecurity at the root of this need to group up and lock the differents out is understandable, but it keeps us in stasis, going round and round in the same hateful circle. Dickerson, offering the example of her own life, gives us some clearminded suggestions on how we might make our way past this knot in our progress. But enough soapbox - buy the book and start reading. It's hard going sometimes, but worth the pain. I haven't been so affected by a book in a long time.
Rating:
Summary: A compelling read
Review: Bravo to Ms. Dickerson! I thoroughly enjoyed this autobiography. I first saw Ms. Dickerson on c-span a couple of years ago as she read from "An American Story", being an iconclast myself, I was immediately struck by her fresh, open and candid approach to her life's story. She spoke of her St. Louis past, her military experience and her current socio-economic success. I decided I must purchase her book, and a short time later it was featured in my book club, I ordered it and began reading, I was not immediately drawn in at the time and set it aside on the bookshelf. Last month while searching for interesting non-fiction in my "library", it jumped out at me. I was completely enraptured and quickly finished it. I've read some reviews posted here and most have been laudatory, some (very few) have been derogatory and some have been what I can only interpret as barely veiled jealousy. This lady more than deserve her props! Not that she is the first lady to, as one reviewer put it, "pull herself up by her bootstraps", yet her tale is so eloquently(unsparing)written, so visciously witty and so "on target" in a way most of us only dream of being, (i.e., speaking to a heartfelt, and oft self-searching personal dissection, er, inspection) it leaves the reader breathless. She's a feminist without being strident (and I'm no NOW supporter), she's confidently self-effacing and I loved the fact that she never evoked movie stars or sports figures as models of aspiration. Her tale needed to have been told. I especially enjoyed the early portions regarding her childhood with her abusive father and also, the heartbreakingly wasted life of her brother, Bobby. What might his life been had he the same level of personal determination and drive? However, on to my review. This tale was spun in a clever and ingenious manner. Her narrative was raw, brutal and sometimes arrogant, though not enough for the reader to dismiss her as irrelevantly boastful. After all, she has earned our respect. I sympathized with her past, mine was similar. I'm inspired by her present and hopefully her future, "Hey Ms. Dickerson - what are you currently doing toward your goal of helping the masses you left behind?". "Not that there cannot be a division of the labor, but upon entering HLS, wasn't bringing as many along with you one of your stated goals?" Finally, regarding as one reviewer put it, and I paraphrase, "writing in language that most black people can't understand",Hey Ms. Reviewer, you can't see the forest for the trees, she has obviously, as was the thrust of the story, clearly chosen an audience. She is writing to her peers. We are just along for the ride! Peace out!
Rating:
Summary: Debra Dickerson's Journey Is Truly An American Story
Review: Debra Dickerson wrestles with the issues of race and overall female respect. She desperately wanted to believe in her early years that hard work alone would suffice; the world was essentially fair if one merely put in the required effort. Alas, this simplistic notion was soon found untenable. She becomes something of a conservative mugged by reality. Dickerson is made brutally aware that blacks such as her brother Bobby do not have inexhaustible opportunities to get it right. The sons and daughters of the wealthy indeed have the odds in their favor. The latter will not have to pull themselves up by their boot straps. Unhesitatingly blasting all forms of affirmative action turns out often to be the fatuous indulgence of a class of people who will do everything to protect their own progeny from the harshness of an uncaring universe. The author's military career added to her disillusionment. Dickerson had to contend with the unconscious racism of whites, and the self destructive victim mentality of many of her black cohorts. Being a woman in a male dominated environment presented her with a new set of difficulties. Even rape was not considered a violation demanding serious consequences for the assailant. A woman was expected to know her place and not make waves. Human law is imperfect and Dickerson concludes that it might be beneficial to learn how to finesse the system. She attends Harvard Law School and finds some Afro-American students to be hypocritical Liberal snobs of the worst kind. They have absolutely no hesitation in rebuking a professor behind his back for alleged Uncle Tomism. Nonetheless, these students are later seen sucking up to the same teacher to get a good reference for future employment. This professor, by the way, is the highly esteemed Randall Kennedy, a man who I fully respect and admire. "The left annoys me but the right insults my intelligence," claims Dickerson. She remains unclear concerning the choice of which intellectual faction best represents her basic philosophy. I am, though, glad Dickerson includes the names of neo-Liberal James Fallows and neo-Conservative Glenn Loury, as thinkers who assisted her in completing this book. Their balanced views should contine to be helpful. --An American Story-- is a worthy first autobiography. Let us hope another work is scheduled in the near future. Much has been accomplished to improve the status of America's minorities, but there is still more to do. Debra Dickerson's evolving insights will be appreciated.
Rating:
Summary: A Must-Read
Review: Debra Dickerson's book is extraordinary-- a must-read for anyone serious about issues of race or gender, class or social justice, war or peace. There are a lot of memoirs on the market, but this is one that transcends the genre and rises to the level of true literature. Some will try to pigeon-hole Dickerson as liberal or conservative, try to fit her into the tired old framework of political life; anyone who reads her book will see that such an attempt is futile. That is part of the book's great beauty-- it shows that none of us fits easily into any set form, that all lives are infinitely complex and nuanced. Too often public discourse degenerates into a shouting match between the Right and the Left (or what, in the absence of any genuine Left, passes for a non-right-wing voice). "An American Story" has plenty of axes to grind, but they're not all sharpened on the same stone. Debra Dickerson's tale is indeed an American story-- a story of what is good and bad and clarifying and confusing in this country. In that sense it is a story for, and even about, every American.
Rating:
Summary: A powerful look back with self-awareness
Review: Debra Dickerson's memoir looks back on the first 40 years or so of her life with seeming self-consciousness. It can be criticized for being too inwardly focused, but then what is a memoir for? Documenting not only her own experiences but her internal reactions to those experiences helps the reader to gain both admiration and insight into Dickerson's accomplishments. Best of all it spotlights Dickerson's incredible writing, which is the product of someone who has known and loved books all her life and formed a committed relationship with them as an adult. Though she herself admits it took a long time for her emotional intelligence to catch up with her book one. It helps that she doesn't spare much time for self-pity in her self examination. This is the kind of book I'll be recommending to friends, especially women friends. Of memoirs written by women, I found it perhaps the most enjoyable I have read since "And So It Goes," by Linda Ellerbee--another southern woman. Dickerson is not as funny as Ellerbee (neither is she trying to be) but like her she earned my admiration on sheer quality of writing. The memoir is hardly free of humorous incident. I really enjoyed the way a young Dickerson turned her father's punishment of having all books but the bible removed from her bedroom, combined with an insistence that all children must recite a bible verse at the table before being served, against him. I admire Debra Dickerson and I look forward to reading her next book.
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