Rating:  Summary: It was like watching an episode of "Real T.V." Review: This is the second book that I have read of Michael's. It is surely one of the best books that GOD has blessed my eyes with. The best advice I could give anyone about this book is that make sure you do not read it on the train or on the bus. Believe me. If you do. You will not make it to your destination. It is an instant page turner. If you ever buy a book in your life make sure you pick this one up. You would not be disapointed.
Rating:  Summary: Men Cry In The Dark Review: Great Job! This book was so good I couldn't put it down until I finished it. I especially liked the way Michael expressed his views about the man/woman relationships. While some people may think the content is too raw, thank you Michael for being so candid. I know that you did not mean that all women are gold diggers, etc. but rather some women are. Anyway, ladies and gentlemen this book is a must read! You will thoroughly enjoy it if you keep an open mind. Michael keep up the good work. I'm going to buy your other books as well.
Rating:  Summary: NOT WHAT I EXPECTED Review: I WAS DEEPLY DISSAPOINTED IN THE MANNER THAT THIS SO CALLED NOVEL PROGRESED.IT SEEMED SUPERFISCAL TO ME AND DIDN'T PLACE KEEP PACE WITH HOW I IDENIFY MYSELF AS A AFRICAN AMERICAN BROTHERS.MY BOOK CLUB GAVE THIS BOOK ON A SCALE FROM ONE TO TEN A FOUR.I MYSELF WAS NOT SO GENEROUS.I THINK THE AURTHOR HAD A GOOD IDEA BUT JUST DIDN'T PRESENT IT VERY WELL.MAYBE NEXT TIME HE'LL DO BETTER.
Rating:  Summary: Baisden's characters were top-notch Review: It was wonderful to read a novel by a black man whose characters were well educated, financially secure and prominent within the community. I read this novel in 2 days. By choice, I read only novels by African American authors and Michael is up there with Terry McMillian and E. Lynn Harris. KUDOS
Rating:  Summary: GREAT BOOK . . . Review: Great book! But to you people who put it down, you gotta do better than that. First of all, as far as your criticims of the GRAMMATICAL ERRORS in the book, people, you CAN NOT fault the author for that. If you know anything, you'd know that was the publisher's fault. That's like blaming Denzel Washington or Samuel Jackson for a poorly-written script or direction in a movie they acted in. If you had problems with the editing, voice that w/the publishing company (I believe Mr. Baisden addressed that with the publisher). The ONLY reason I could see anybody not liking this book, is perhaps they saw THEMSELVES portrayed, and sometimes we as humans don't like to see our negative sides. But the book was NOT all negative. Finally, someone published something w/4 positive brothas w/decent careers and not just "getting by." I know I may be rambling, but it just incenses me how we as Afr-Amers moan and whine about how we are portrayed in the media or books, and finally, someone comes along and does something positive----and we complain about how "unrealistic" or trash their product. Mr. Baisden, I commend you. Keep going, and I'm one brotha who'll be one of the first people in line to get your next book. I think "Maintenance Man" should be out about now, right? Peace black man.
Rating:  Summary: No Cigar. Not Even Close. Nowhere near........... Review: I find it extremely hard to believe how anyone in their right mind could have given this book anything more than one star(considering that's the lowest that you can give). The book is a page for page advertisement for movies, talk shows, and name brands. Here are some of the problems that I had with the book: The fact that on every page somebody is giving or recieving a high five, The constant references to the "ghetto" or the hood", the portrayal of black woman without college degrees, the fact that their is no mention of religon by any of these characters, despite the fact that all have had to "overcome" obstacles in their lives, the way some of the characters talked when have you ever met black people from an inner city enviroment who acted the way these characters acted. A question that I really had to stop and ask myself was what "drug dealer" would act the way that the idiots in this novel (and I use that word generously) act? What grown "educated" man in his right mind would associate himself with a gangster. I could go on and on about how poorly written this book was, but I won't. I will say that I was deeply disappointed by this book and I am conforted by the fact that I didn't waste any money on it, but it is sad to think that their are those who did.
Rating:  Summary: Well ... some entertainment but not literary at all! Review: This book was recommended to me by a female reader who absolutely loved it. Based on her recommendation, I read the entire novel. Without giving away the contents to new readers, I can say I had a few laughs, frowns, questions, and moments of confusion regarding the characters, their relationships and the author's writing ability. My conclusion is that this book is mediocre at best. There is no 5-star quality about this book. I did notice that the author's slant in this book suggested he was writing as a vendetta (perhaps to Waiting to Exhale?). I can see a Black male glorifying this book. Unless Baisden's female supporters are his relatives, still in their teens, or are one of the negative stereotypes portrayed in this novel, I can't see how they think this book is so great. Nearly all the female characters are the worst stereotypes known to Black women, maybe even downright racist. It's fiction, you say? Well, so was the movie "Birth of a Nation." I've noticed most of the non-fiction and some of the fictional Black Relationship genre titles are really misogynistic (like the mainstream ones) and self-racist, including this book. Over 30,000 sold, you say? Assuming that statistic is true, it proves nothing since Black consumers are known for our self-destructive spending habits, example: we are only 12% of the U.S. pop. yet purchase nearly 41% of ALL hair care products in the U.S. I won't even go into the percentages we (Blacks) spend on illegal drugs, cigarettes, etc. I am very sorry but I see this novel, MCIND, as one of those very same negative purchases that we saturate our MINDS with. Needless to say, I am glad I did not spend MONEY on this novel. I recommend Omar Tyree, Sheneska Jackson, and others. Think for yourself. If you must read this novel, borrow or purchase it from a bookstore. If you don't like it, you can return it for a refund with your receipt.
Rating:  Summary: A captivating work from begining to end. Review: I was introduced to Michael Baisden's work through a friend. Although I had never read any of is work before I immediately fell in love. I'm an avid book reader and collector. And this is one that will be placed at the top of my favorite list. I recommended this book to all my friends and family and went all out by telling them "this was the best book I had read in a long time." The book flowed from begining to to end. I could relate to each type of relationship. I could very easily substitute my name and the name of someone I had been in a relationship with into the place of the names written in the book. After reviewing some of the other comments made about the book I was very surprised at the many negative reviews. I think what kept my perspective was the fact the book is FICTION and when I look at what the majority of our black men are doing these days I'd take an author of a bad book over a drug dealer any day. It just refreashing regardless of the quality of the work to see and hear another one of our brothers making a name for himself. Keep up the good work Michael. Like I said before: I want a DERRICK, always end up with a TONY, will never be with a MARK, but when GOD sends me my mate more than likey he will be a BEN.
Rating:  Summary: This book is okay. Review: I am an African American female. Read this book and it's okay. Not all that great nor all that bad to get the extremely nasty AND the extremely positive reviews. Nothing new or uplifting learned out of Baisden's fiction and non-fiction books. As for him being a "relationship expert," I don't think so, based on his comments and performances at his book signings, talk show appearances and radio discussions. This book was light entertainment with no literary or cultural contributions. By the way, I liked Baisden's fiction novel much better than Terri McMillan's novel and movie (Waiting to Exhale). Although she is a far better writer than Baisden, I hate the victimology themes present in all of her works.
Rating:  Summary: A Pretty Good First Effort at Fiction Review: I read Men Cry in the Dark this summer, and I passed it on to several friends. I haven't had it in my possesion since I finished reading it because everytime one person returns it to me, another takes it! After reading other reviews of the book, I had to put my two cents in. I think some of the critisms of the book were valid, but the personal attacks on the author were way out of line and unnecessary. I must admit, that as a person who does a lot of reading, this was far from one of the better books I've read. However, in spite of the grammatical errors and jump from first to third person, I thought it was a good story that needed to be told. As a 26 year old married woman who has been with the same man since I was 20, I'm not at all familiar with the "dating game" and the issues the characters faced in their quest to find a good mate. Maybe that's why I found the story interesting. Everybody has not had the same experiences, and when reading, you should be prepared to find perspectives that are different from your own. That said, I noticed that a lot of the reviews from the ladies were full of hostility and criticism about Mr. Baisden's characters, both the men and the women. Points about the men's bad judgements in selecting (or choosing not to select) women based on their education, amount of money they had, their bodies, age and skin complexion were addressed. Many ladies were quite upset about this. However, if Mr. Baisden is telling a story from a male perspective, then could it be that he is addressing the fact that, right or wrong, men make stupid choices based on trivial aspects of a woman's make-up the same way women do with men (i.e., his job, whether or not he's been to college, his physical appearance, how much money he makes, etc.)? None of these tell you the true worth of a person, or whether or not that person will make a suitable life partner. Perhaps that is why these men were in their thirties, had been with many women, and still hadn't found one to spend the rest of their lives with (except Tony)? In regards to the female characters, men have dated some real losers the same way women have. I didn't hear any women disagreeing with Terry McMillan when she wrote about some of the jerks the characters in Waiting to Exhale came across. I know you women who had such harsh critism for Men Cry in the Dark can't be naive enough to believe that men don't ever come across some real chicken heads in their quest for Ms. Right. I really couldn't relate to the experiences of the characters in Men Cry in the Dark, but I thought it was an interesting story that should make men and women take a look at their own responsibility for making wise decisions in selecting a mate and doing the work necessary to keep one once they've found them. I've already read Never Satisfied: How and Why Men Cheat (it's another one my friends keep "stealing" from me) and I look forward to reading Maintenance Man. I also plan to buy the Love, Lust and Lies video. Keep up the good work, Mr. Baisden. In spite of the negative reviews, you definitely have an audience who appreciates your work!
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