Young King The Making of Martin Luther King Jr. by Lerone Martin

 Book Excerpt:

"From a preeminent King scholar, the origin story of the man, minister, and civil rights hero who would lead the nation and change the world.

We know who Martin Luther King, Jr. became, but who was he at the beginning of his life? How did his youth inform his outlook and activism?

Before Martin Luther King, Jr. was a civil rights leader, a Nobel Laureate, and a global hero, he was an emotional boy, a middling high school student devoted to fashion, dancing, and dating. Lerone A. Martin, Faculty Director of the Martin Luther King Institute at Stanford University, traces these roots to develop a fuller understanding of the influential preacher's emotional life, his youthful confusion about his future and career direction, his teenage missteps, and his inspiration to fight for justice."

Title:  Young King...The Making of Martin Luther King Jr.

Author:  Lerone Martin

Publisher:  Amistad

Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean

Rating: Five

Review:

"Young King...The Making of Martin Luther King Jr.

My Review:

This author, Lerone Martin, did a wonderful job telling a powerful story about Martin Luther King Jr. In fact, Martin Luther King Jr. is one person I can truly say was important throughout his life. From his childhood, family discipline, education, to his early encounters with racial things that showed the power of what went on with him in his life.  

This is one of those well-written reads that, once you start reading, you will find it will be hard to put down due to all that is in the remarkable read, as you are pulled into MLK Jr.'s life. Be ready for many interesting details, and you will find out a lot about his personal life.

If you are interested in a good biography that involves American history, you have come to the right place, because this non-fiction read will give you that and so much more.

Thank you to Netgalley and Amistad for the early read.

Glory in Their Spirit How Four Black Women Took On the Army during World War II by Sandra M Bolzenius

Book Description...

" Before Rosa Parks and the March on Washington, four African American women risked their careers and freedom to defy the United States Army over segregation. Women Army Corps (WAC) privates Mary Green, Anna Morrison, Johnnie Murphy, and Alice Young enlisted to serve their country, improve their lives, and claim the privileges of citizenship long denied them. Promised a chance at training and skilled positions, they saw white WACs assigned to those better jobs and found themselves relegated to work as orderlies. In 1945, their strike alongside fifty other WACs captured the nation’s attention and ignited passionate debates on racism, women in the military, and patriotism.

Glory in Their Spirit presents the powerful story of their persistence and the public uproar that ensued. Newspapers chose sides. Civil rights activists coalesced to wield a new power. The military, meanwhile, found itself increasingly unable to justify its policies. In the end, Green, Morrison, Murphy, and Young chose court-martial over a return to menial duties. But their courage pushed the segregated military to the breaking point—and helped steer one of American’s most powerful institutions onto a new road toward progress and justice."

Title:  Glory in Their Spirit
Author:  Sandra M. Bolzenius
Publisher:  University of Illinois Press
Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:

"Glory in Their Spirit" How Four Black Women Took On the Army[WAC] during World War II by Sandra M Bolzenius 

My Thoughts...

I found this read "Glory in Their Spirit: How Four Black Women Took On the Army during World War II a interesting read of 'black service women during WWII here in America.  I also found the prayer very befitting the read especially after reading of this entire read.  I will say that this book still made me shake my head at what one had to go through to wear a uniform...still having to give up their seats with other quotes this author presented.  All in all Black people in uniform 'wanted nothing more than to be treated as equal by all  people.  I read this novel thinking even though in the 1940's segregation and discrimination was high with African American women definitely not being equal to well who?  I found myself after reading this wondering just how hard it was for these four African American women to be in the service of the 'army [WAC] but not good enough but only to be able to clean after others [working as orderlies] while the white group had no problem.'  Why not better jobs since it seemed like these 'four women were good enough to do their part and be able to get in the army[WAC] in the first place?'

Well, all is left for me to say...Look At Us Now!  I am not sure I liked this novel at first however after much thought I see that this author did wonderful job writing this story and  hopefully it will help one understand what African American women in uniform serving in this US of America Army [WAC] had to go through...so 'GLORY IN THEIR SPIRIT.'  Even though in the end we find 'Green, Morrison, Murphy and Young had to chose court-martial over a return to menial duties'  which 'helped steer one of Americana's most powerful institutions onto a new road toward progress and justice.' Amen to that!

Yes, I am a African American woman and it cuts in my spirit to what these four woman had to endure in order  to serve our country.  I find this is a interesting read only if you are interested in what have gone on in the past to what is now going on in the present.  Things have changed..thank God for that!  

Legends over Generations by Ashraf Haggag

Book Description.....

"Since the beginning of human settlement, a lot of people came up with ideas, philosophies, beliefs, experiments, research, redesigning of thoughts, talents, and surveys to bring myths to reality.
People contributed to various life aspects science, politics, literature, arts, social activities and so many other fields. These genius minds put a keen interest in every phenomenon right from when they were young. The zeal, passion, dedication, hard work and efforts they put into their work helped them discover something new about the world we live in.

In these Legends, we’ve seen inexplicable abilities that helped us define our existence and human life. Their names are engraved in the sands of time for their work in the welfare of mankind with different inventions that have made our lives easy, enjoyable and successful. The following chapters commemorate the greatest personalities we’ve ever seen who changed the world.

They are among the most influential people of today’s world. With practical advantages in various aspects, they have helped us to grow a better understanding of the world and different working phenomenon’s that governs us. Their way of shaping modern day culture is completely unrivaled."

Title:  Legends over Generations

Author:  Ashraf Haggag

Publisher:  A. H.

Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean

Rating: Five

Review:

"Legends over Generations" by Ashraf Haggag

My Thoughts....

This was definitely one of those read that will leave one in a suspiration state.  The author gives the readers a large range of legends that do indeed cover a large range of important historical fields.
As the read may take one back and let's one think on the world as it is today that does impact our current generations.  It was quite interesting how this author brings in the biographies all together giving some very good information of some leaders  with even some of their challenges that they had.   The quotes at the end of the biographies were inspirational with its wonderful description.

"Legends over Generations" was a very easy enjoyable read to understand that even leaves one with  inspiration as you conclude the read.  This was definitely one good informative read to know and learn from of many 'great legends that have gone on before us' and many who have ultimately shaped us.'  This read would be great for readers of our younger generation.

Thank you to the author for permitting me to read your novel and for me to give my honest opinion of the read.  Yes, this one is definitely a recommended read.

Obama's Legacy: What He Accomplished as President by Michael I Days

Book Description...

As President Obama's time in the White House draws to a close, this celebratory book documents his transformative accomplishments. 

Evidence indicates President Barack Obama has been tremendously successful and effective by objective measures. On economic indicators alone, he is credited with the longest streak of job growth in U.S. history, a two-thirds reduction in the federal budget deficit, and the rebounding of the stock market to record highs following the record lows of the recession under his predecessor. His victories have come against a backdrop of criticism and sometimes open defiance from conservatives, lack of cooperation in Congress, and racially tinged commentary in traditional and social media. Through it all, the President who campaigned on a slogan of 'Yes, We Can!' has persevered in his determination to make a difference and left an indelible mark on American politics and the world. LEGACY is a commemoration of his eight years in the White House. 

Title:  Obama's Legacy: What He Accomplished as President

Author:  Michael I. Days

Publisher:  Center Street

Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean

Rating: Five

Review:

"Obama's Legacy: What He Accomplished as President"  by Michael I Days 

My Thoughts....

This author brought out to the reader just how wonderful as well as outstanding  this president really was. For many that may not agree...well,  I definitely will say that President Obama was one of our most remarkable presidents.  This author does a good job at giving the reader 'a chronological record' of all of what this president accomplished as he tried to improve the quality of our life during his two terms [2008-2012] as our president.  I loved how we get President Obama's  achievements as it is presented so well in chapters that dealt with laws passed, race, laws passed and even immigration. Now, I will say that this author did a wonderful job at giving the reader some interesting record of this very inspiring President. I will say that during this President's two terms he did try to turn this country around the way he had promised and this author does a good job as he 'lays out the depth of his virtue, character and how each of core beliefs made him stronger' as he pushed this agenda to created create jobs, health care and a lot more to help make our America Great.

By this being our first 'Black President' I agree quite well with this author that President Obama tried to 'surround himself with good advisers, strong people with good moral values that kept him in touch with what he had grew up with and on into his political career.'  I am only left to say that as we live in todays world and many of President Obama contributions and legacy  will  be realized  to be even more important to us that may have been realized especially as time goes on.  Thank you to the author for writing such a interesting novel about President Barack Hussein Obama accomplishments.