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Rating: 
Summary: A Learning Experience
Review: I just learned about Randall Kenan two weeks ago, when Time Magazine did a series about the Mississippi River. I decided to try his books, when he was described as the African American answer to William Faulkner. My only criticism. Too long! Otherwise, for someone who isn't African American it was a learning experience. You get to see profiles of African Americans in all walks of life.
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Summary: Long, but open-minded and inspiring.
Review: I thought that Randall Kenan's book was very good, and thought provoking. The best things I liked about it was the fact that he tackled this very broad subject matter, but did not go into the book with any preconceived notions about the authenticity or meaning of "blackness." There was no sense that he was trying to label the people he was interviewing, or make any kind of judgments about them of how more or less "black cultured" they were. I think it is a tremendous credit to the author that despite the emotional tenderness of delving into one's personal heritage, through it all he was always able to come across as kind, considerate, unbiased, and at many times sympathetic to their particular point of view. The time consuming years in which it seemed to take for him to make this book, and his perserverence in remaining patient and sensitive is amazing. The other thing that deserves much appreciation is the fact that he just didn't go to where the obvious most dense congregation of black people were, nor did he just remain in the south to answer his question of "blackness." The whole idea that he interviewed black people in very obscure places: Maine, western Canada, Wyoming, etc. was a pleasant refreshing surprise that added depth, openess, and wonder with each succeeding chapter. I think this was the true gem of the whole book, and set it apart from others like it. Despite the fact that I liked the book very much there were a couple of things I felt inhibited the flow. For instance, I felt a few of the interviews were too long, and the interviewees were allowed to go too far away from the main subject. Although I liked the injection of history in each chapter, which gave you a sense of how black people got to that place historically, some of the chapters felt bogged down with too much history, and not enough present day feelings, the Allensworth, California chapter was the best example of that. I also thought that there should have been a better distinction between the author's thoughts and what the interviewees were actually saying. Too many times that line was blurred, and got a little confusing. Despite all this though I would still highly recommend the book. My few criticisms in the previous paragraph are the only things that kept me from giving it a full 5 star rating.
Rating: 
Summary: Kenan sees the Unseen
Review: If anyone ever doubted that African Americans live diverse lives this book will prove otherwise. In his travels, Mr. Keenan interviewed blacks from various backgrounds. It was definitely an eye opener for myself at the great diversity. The region of birth and circumstances of environment determine how these blacks viewed themselves and their place in society. I found the chaper on blacks in Vermont and Louisiana as two examples of what the world does not see as exposed by the media. Yes, there were a few mistakes, but the people who nitpicked at this let these mistakes overshadow the purpose and revelations of this find memoir. This is a book that should be kept in all Americans libraries and in particulary African Americans. I commend the author on all the hard work and time he put into it.
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Summary: A well-rounded look at African Americans
Review: If anyone ever doubted that African Americans live diverse lives this book will prove otherwise. In his travels, Mr. Keenan interviewed blacks from various backgrounds. It was definitely an eye opener for myself at the great diversity. The region of birth and circumstances of environment determine how these blacks viewed themselves and their place in society. I found the chaper on blacks in Vermont and Louisiana as two examples of what the world does not see as exposed by the media. Yes, there were a few mistakes, but the people who nitpicked at this let these mistakes overshadow the purpose and revelations of this find memoir. This is a book that should be kept in all Americans libraries and in particulary African Americans. I commend the author on all the hard work and time he put into it.
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Summary: excellent so far
Review: It's a great book - something I haven't seen in a long time. It really examines that pioneering spirit among black america and gives me inspiration. It was good that Kenan talked to black people, that many of us would not ordinarily meet being the urbanists that we are. I'm glad he sought many points of views rather than attempt to simplify black authentic existence to some 'boyz in the hood' apology thang. I'm inspired to go seek out the land as many of blacks have done - I think there are some key gems of knowledge than will spur on the development of black peoples. The can - do spirit!!
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Summary: Kenan sees the Unseen
Review: Randal Kenan shows us things we normally do not see. It is paticularly interesting how this man, with his own admitted biases and limitations, gets in close and is able to get people to open up. His humility and willingness to learn that comes through the book so clearly must have something to do with it. The chapter dealing with the "Black Revolutionary" middle class college students was engaging and compelling. It would be interesting to see where they are today and what they are doing. Kenan shows us some memorable characters from the multicolored portrait of the Black populace. I will be looking for more. Get it, read it and see if you see what Kenan sees?
Rating:
Summary: informative
Review: The author takes us to different parts of the country to interview african americans, of every aspect of life, getting their opinion on the state of the race. I learned a lot by reading this book, like Mary Ellen Pleasant and her roled with John Brown's raid on Harper's Ferry. Very informative book, about black life past, and present.
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