The Color of Water: A Black Man's Tribute to His White Mother

McBride, James

4.13

123,508 ratings by Goodreads

9780756972684: The Color of Water: A Black Man's Tribute to His White Mother

ISBN 10: 075697268X ISBN 13: 9780756972684

Publisher: Perfection Learning, 2006

With a new Introduction to this touching homage to his mother, the author paints a portrait of growing up in a black neighborhood as the child of an interracial marriage. Although raised an Orthodox Jew in the South, McBride's mother abandoned her heritage, moved to Harlem, and married a black man.

"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.

Review:

Order this book ... and please don't be put off by its pallid subtitle, A Black Man's Tribute to His White Mother, which doesn't begin to do justice to the utterly unique and moving story contained within. The Color of Water tells the remarkable story of Ruth McBride Jordan, the two good men she married, and the 12 good children she raised. Jordan, born Rachel Shilsky, a Polish Jew, immigrated to America soon after birth; as an adult she moved to New York City, leaving her family and faith behind in Virginia. Jordan met and married a black man, making her isolation even more profound. The book is a success story, a testament to one woman's true heart, solid values and indomitable will. Ruth Jordan battled not only racism but also poverty to raise her children and, despite being sorely tested, never wavered. In telling her story--along with her son's--The Color of Water addresses racial identity with compassion, insight and realism. It is, in a word, inspiring, and you will finish it with unalloyed admiration for a flawed but remarkable individual. And, perhaps, a little more faith in us all.

Review:

Praise for "The Color of Water"

"[A] triumph."--"The New York Times Book Review"

"As lively as a novel, a well-written, thoughtful contribution to the literature on race."--"The Washington Post Book World"

"Inspiring."--"Glamour"

"Vibrant."--"The Boston Globe"

"James McBride evokes his childhood trek across the great racial divide with the kind of power and grace that touches and uplifts all hearts."--Bebe Moore Campbell

Praise for "The Color of Water"
"[A] triumph." "The New York Times Book Review"
"As lively as a novel, a well-written, thoughtful contribution to the literature on race." "The Washington Post Book World"
"Inspiring." "Glamour"
"Vibrant." "The Boston Globe"
"James McBride evokes his childhood trek across the great racial divide with the kind of power and grace that touches and uplifts all hearts." Bebe Moore Campbell"

"[A] triumph." "The New York Times Book Review"
"As lively as a novel, a well-written, thoughtful contribution to the literature on race." "The Washington Post Book World"
"Inspiring." "Glamour"
"Vibrant." "The Boston Globe"
"James McBride evokes his childhood trek across the great racial divide with the kind of power and grace that touches and uplifts all hearts." Bebe Moore Campbell"

"[A] triumph." The New York Times Book Review
"As lively as a novel, a well-written, thoughtful contribution to the literature on race." The Washington Post Book World
"Inspiring." Glamour
"Vibrant." The Boston Globe
"James McBride evokes his childhood trek across the great racial divide with the kind of power and grace that touches and uplifts all hearts." Bebe Moore Campbell"

-[A] triumph.---The New York Times Book Review
-As lively as a novel, a well-written, thoughtful contribution to the literature on race.---The Washington Post Book World
-Inspiring.---Glamour
-Vibrant.---The Boston Globe
-James McBride evokes his childhood trek across the great racial divide with the kind of power and grace that touches and uplifts all hearts.---Bebe Moore Campbell

"[A] triumph."--The New York Times Book Review

"As lively as a novel, a well-written, thoughtful contribution to the literature on race."--The Washington Post Book World

"Inspiring."--Glamour

"Vibrant."--The Boston Globe

"James McBride evokes his childhood trek across the great racial divide with the kind of power and grace that touches and uplifts all hearts."--Bebe Moore Campbell

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