Rating: 
Summary: I feel I been deprived.
Review: Birmingham, Alabama is my hometown (I now live in Georgia), so the name A.G. Gaston is nothing new to me. What I didn't know was how much of a force he was in the Magic City. I am even more ashame to admit that I was not aware that he died in 1996 (I was in college at the time). One of my sisters attended A.G. Gaston Junior High School. I seen church fans and calendars with the Smith & Gaston logos on them. I seen buildings with his name on them and never put two and two together until now. When I was younger, we would always hear about Dr. Martin Luther King, but never about A.G. Gaston. I find that odd now. I am happy I decided to get this book to add to my collection. I have always look for business role models and never would have thought to look in my own hometown.
It is because of this book, I am able to put a personality behind the names of many buildings in Birmingham.
I also found it interesting following Gaston's journey from Demopolis to Birmingham although I am confused about the present day locations of some of the towns/neighborhoods mentioned in the book. Based on the locations giving in the book, Enon Ridge sounds almost like present day Ensley and Westfield sounds like present day Wenonauh given that this is the area located at the foot of a small mountain seemed to had mines at some point. However the case, this book has introduced me to an era of Birmingham before the sixties that I was aware of.
Rating: 
Summary: The Great Entrepreneur
Review: BLACK TITAN: A.G. GATSON AND THE MAKING OF THE AMERICAN MILLIONAIRE is a profoundly inspiring biography on the life and times of millionaire entrepreneur and philanthropist, A.G. Gaston. Penned by his niece and great niece, the story highlights the accomplishments of this gifted entrepreneur whose extraordinary business acumen took him from being the poverty stricken grandson of a slave to becoming one of the first black millionaires.
The story's theme is one of self sufficiency and fortitude and outlines his life, chronicling the important events as they occur on his route to success. The reader is transported back to a time when harshness was the order of the day and intolerance to the success of people of color was the norm. This well written narrative manages to capture the charismatic persona of this enterprising trailblazer and shares his thoughts on social, economic and civil rights issues. Most importantly it shares his shrewd business practices which were pivotal to his accumulating his great fortune and becoming a model of success for all people.
BLACK TITAN: A.G. GATSON AND THE MAKING OF THE AMERICAN MILLIONAIRE is an unforgettable and enlightening read. The story flows nicely and the lessons to be learnt are endless. This book is a source of inspiration and provides a serious history lesson for everyone.
Reviewed by Autumn
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers
Rating:
Summary: The Great Entrepreneur
Review: BLACK TITAN: A.G. GATSON AND THE MAKING OF THE AMERICAN MILLIONAIRE is a profoundly inspiring biography on the life and times of millionaire entrepreneur and philanthropist, A.G. Gaston. Penned by his niece and great niece, the story highlights the accomplishments of this gifted entrepreneur whose extraordinary business acumen took him from being the poverty stricken grandson of a slave to becoming one of the first black millionaires.
The story's theme is one of self sufficiency and fortitude and outlines his life, chronicling the important events as they occur on his route to success. The reader is transported back to a time when harshness was the order of the day and intolerance to the success of people of color was the norm. This well written narrative manages to capture the charismatic persona of this enterprising trailblazer and shares his thoughts on social, economic and civil rights issues. Most importantly it shares his shrewd business practices which were pivotal to his accumulating his great fortune and becoming a model of success for all people.
BLACK TITAN: A.G. GATSON AND THE MAKING OF THE AMERICAN MILLIONAIRE is an unforgettable and enlightening read. The story flows nicely and the lessons to be learnt are endless. This book is a source of inspiration and provides a serious history lesson for everyone.
Reviewed by Autumn
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers
Rating:
Summary: Excellent!!
Review: I am definitely going to suggest to my Black Studies teachers that they incorporate this book into their classrooms. A.G. Gaston is the entreprenuers hero! This is a story of an individual who could not and would not stay in the position society told him he was to adhere to. His self determination and self reliance into forging a life and business for himself is enough to make anyone feel ashamed of themselves for suggesting that they cannot become an entreprenuer. I recommend that you purchase this book!
Rating:
Summary: Excellent!!
Review: I am definitely going to suggest to my Black Studies teachers that they incorporate this book into their classrooms. A.G. Gaston is the entreprenuers hero! This is a story of an individual who could not and would not stay in the position society told him he was to adhere to. His self determination and self reliance into forging a life and business for himself is enough to make anyone feel ashamed of themselves for suggesting that they cannot become an entreprenuer. I recommend that you purchase this book!
Rating: 
Summary: Story should have focus on AG Gaston
Review: I was interested in the life and times of AG Gaston. AG Gaston laid the foundation for modern day black business people. This book focus on giving black history lessons, devoting inadequate time to Mr. Gaston life and business dealings. I was disappointed - I expected much more out of this book.
Rating:
Summary: Story should have focus on AG Gaston
Review: I was interested in the life and times of AG Gaston. AG Gaston laid the foundation for modern day black business people. This book focus on giving black history lessons, devoting inadequate time to Mr. Gaston life and business dealings. I was disappointed - I expected much more out of this book.
Rating:
Summary: An incredible story
Review: The story of A.G. Gaston is simply incredible. I purchased the book because I love to read stories
about people who have overcome impossible odds to become successful business people.
But I am also a 20th century history buff and therefore, this
book was an exceptional treat. About halfway through, I was
fantasizing about a Ken Burns documentary called, The Life And Times Of A.G. Gaston.
One quick sidebar; Check out the story of
Madame C.J. Walker, a Black woman born shortly after the Civil
war, to former slaves. She became a multi-millionaire and died
at age 52 at about the same time Mr. Gaston was returning from
WWI. She was the first self made Black female millionaire and
her story is also amazing.
A.G. Gaston was clearly from the Booker T. Washington school of
economics. He survived and thrived in an area that was arguably ground zero of the
insanely racist south, and arguably ground zero of the civil rights movement.
I refer to the area roughly bounded by Montgomery and Birmingham Alabama, and Meridian Mississippi.
It would have been easier for a Black man to become a multi-millionaire in almost any other area of the country.
I would highly recommend this book as required reading in American high schools.
Rating:
Summary: THANK YOU AUTHORS FOR THE INSPIRATION!!!!
Review: This biography of A.G. Gaston has inspired my life and business strategies more than any other book I have ever read!! With the book's vivid format, I could easily envision Gaston's life's experiences, business logic and implementation. Using his life's example of dedication and entrepreneurial genius, in my business I have become more effective in seeking and meeting customer's needs. Furthermore, I had always wondered where the money came from that fueled the Civil Rights movement. The book shared Gaston's accomplishments despite racial hatred and segregation and how great an impact be had on American history. I will read it again and continue to encourage others to read it. Thank God for the Authors!! Brandon J. Everitt
Rating:
Summary: THANK YOU AUTHORS FOR THE INSPIRATION!!!!
Review: This biography of A.G. Gaston has inspired my life and business strategies more than any other book I have ever read!! With the book's vivid format, I could easily envision Gaston's life's experiences, business logic and implementation. Using his life's example of dedication and entrepreneurial genius, in my business I have become more effective in seeking and meeting customer's needs. Furthermore, I had always wondered where the money came from that fueled the Civil Rights movement. The book shared Gaston's accomplishments despite racial hatred and segregation and how great an impact be had on American history. I will read it again and continue to encourage others to read it. Thank God for the Authors!! Brandon J. Everitt
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