Rating: 
Summary: AN ENDURING LEGACY OF GREATNESS
Review:
That tennis great Arthur Ashe died a victim of AIDS on February 6, 1993, is an undeniable tragedy. The fact that while he lived, he did so with consummate integrity, intelligence, and grace, remains his enduring legacy. Written with literary biographer Arnold Rampersad, Ashe's DAYS OF GRACE provides readers with a powerful portrait of an exceptional individual entrenched in the issues and passions of his life and times, a man who was one of the most dynamic athletes and humanitarians of his or any other generation. In this invitingly intimate and yet stoically objective memoir, Ashe grapples with the issues of sports, racism, and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) which he contracted while receiving a blood transfusion after his second heart bypass operation in 1983. DAYS OF GRACE reveals different sides to a man many described as "cold" while he lived. The view from within does not support this description. Some very warm snapshots are provided of Ashe as a man who never stopped being an obedient son, as a fervent patriot, lover of art, serious intellectual, mystical seeker, generous philanthropist, devoted husband, and loving father. His tendency to gloss over such feats as writing a landmark three-volume history of black athletes, his historic victory at Wimbledon, or his association with people like Nelson Mandela and Jesse Jackson, rings true to an exceptional character whose many parts add up to a truly noble and memorable sum.
Aberjhani
author of THE WISDOM OF W. E. B. DU BOIS
and ENCYCLOPEDIA OF THE HARLEM RENAISSANCE
Rating:
Summary: Simply Beautiful
Review: 'Days of Grace' is possibly the most moving biography, if not book, I have ever read, by a man whose courage, determination and decency towards fellow man have left me in awe. The book contains moments of humour, of deep sadness and of joy, and throughout there is a vein of truthfulness that is unparalleled in anything I have ever read. The experiences that Ashe had in his life were so many and so varied, from the highs of winning three Grand Slam's to falling ill to heart disease and AIDS. His relationships with his parents, his wife and daughter, tennis players including Connors and McEnroe, and with his peers in segregated Virginia are all explored thoughtfully and with careful reflection. In short, Ashe's book offers an account of his life, his beliefs and his final thoughts on the world and his life. Ashe triumphed in sport to become wealthy and well known, but suffered from racial prejudice as a child and terrible diseases as an adult. Yet not once did wealth change his outlook or basic lifestyle nor did he give up in the face of racism or death. Instead Ashe took another path, the noble path - he showed deep respect and understanding towards his fellow man, he used his wealth and his disease to help thousands of others and he never lost site of the moral lessons he had learned as child. 'Days of Grace' is a remarkable book from Arthur Ashe, an extraordinary man.
Rating: 
Summary: A Great Man's Inspirational Memoir
Review: A personal account of a man who seemed to have lived every day of his life as if it were his finest hour. I can't imagine a better demonstration of dignity, courage, honor, and circumspection than the example set by Mr. Ashe, and he tells his story well, but modestly. From the personal to the political, Mr. Ashe shows by example what it is to live fully and responsibly as a world citizen and how to face unrelenting challenges with intelligence and grace. This book is one that will be a the top of my children's reading list.
Rating:
Summary: Like gold tested by fire
Review: Although I never met Arthur Ashe in person, what a great resource he leaves us with this autobiography. Arthur was a man of faith, morals, business, intellect and manners. Oh yeah, he was also one heckuva tennis player. My personal enduring memory of Arthur came not in the form of his Wimbledon upset of Jimmy Connors, but rather by a subsequent televised loss some years later to John McEnroe. It would be a complete understatement to say that McEnroe carried on like <l'enfant terrible>. Arthur suffered through Mac's innumerable hissy fits in that match with the perturbed patience of a monastic saint enduring the constant wails of an infidel. It is hard to adequately describe Ashe's remarkable countenance that night, except to say it was the most powerful display of silence I have ever witnessed in sport. So, it came as quite a surprise to learn in this book how much admiration and respect Arthur had for John, and how much John devoted to the Davis Cup matches. If your athletic son or daughter hopes to avoid learning too late in life that there is a lot more to it than sports and glory, I implore you to force them to read Days of Grace.
Rating:
Summary: would have wanted to meet ashe after reading the book...
Review: and that, to me, is a good sign . . . my only disappointment is that i would have perhaps wanted to see a bit more about his tennis-playing days . . . it instead concentrated on his role as a citizen and American . . . particularly moving was the conclusion, in which he writes a letter to his daughter.
Rating: 
Summary: A man of grace.
Review: Arthur Ashe led a wonderful life but also a heartbreaking one. Not only did he have to deal with racial prejudice but also with a major illness called AIDS. Arthur was a true man of grace and his life story in the worlds of sports and political awareness makes great reading. His chapter to his daughter Camera was heartbreaking but uplifting as well. Arthur was not afraid to challenge the status quo and fight for what he thought was right. From AIDS activism to being arrested for protesting US policies on Haiti, he was a true hero.
Rating:
Summary: very Powerful
Review: Arthur Ashe was a class act period.the same can be said of his wife as well.the Brother was very Intelligent and well-spoken and a great tennis player by the way.the thing that really stood out in this book to me was the fact when he said that he could deal with AIDS better than Racism.after reading that part in the book you have to wonder has this country come far at all? MR.Ashe was a well off Man and he was still dealing with Racists views and what not.this is a Man of Strength&Courage.he stood for something.he always gave a 100% in everything he did.this book is very uplifting.
Rating:
Summary: One of the greatest books and authors I have read.
Review: Arthur Ashe wrote what most people should feel. Days of Grace is an excellent book by a very moral and courageous author. His views on race, religion, education, politics, arts, sports and life are very thoughtful and intelligent. Although he writes of so many debated issues such as affirmative action it is hard to disagree wtih a word he writes. I wish there were more books like this and indeed, more people like Arthur Ashe
Rating:
Summary: A MAN OF DIGNITY AND GRACE
Review: I met this gentleman briefly. We were travelling on "Southern Airlines" between Atlanta and Birmingham. Both the man and the airline are gone. He was gracious, a man of dignity. As his memoir unfolds one can't help but be inspired by his example of courage, discipline and responsibility. Many knew him as a great tennis champion, but the book reveals the man, a father, a husband, a social activist, a religious spiritual being. It is a poignant testament to a beautiful being. He died of aids contracted through a blood transfusion. Most touching is his letter to his daughter, in which he says," Don't be angry with me if I am not there in person, alive and well, when you need me......... whereever I am when you feel sick at heart and weary of ife, or when you stumble and fall and don't know if you can get up again, think of me. I will be watching and smiling and cheering you on." This is a man who mastered his destiny. The book contains beautiful photos shared by his wife, a gifted photographer. The book is a remarkable legacy to his family and to all who recognize greatness. Excellent and enjoyable reading.
Rating:
Summary: The book is great
Review: I thought that this book was a great book. Arthur Ashe portrayed the role of a famous sports figure who suffers from aids perfectly. Although he received the disease accidentally through a blood transfusion, he was still an active member in big aids charities trying to educate people about the disease and such. The book also talks about his tennis career. I thought the book was good, however sometimes he stretches a certain story in a chapter, turning it from a short story into a long stretchy story, which made the book boring at times. I give the book 4 stars out of 5 stars.
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