Do I Dare Disturb the Universe?: From the Projects to Prep School
Language: English
Published by Faber & Faber, 1994
- Signed
- Hardcover
- Used

Seller: Wonder Book, Frederick, MD, U.S.A.Wonder Book
AbeBooks seller since November 1, 1997
Condition: Used - Good
£ 5.45
Quantity: 1 available
Add to basketItem description from seller
Signed Copy . Very Good dust jacket. Inscribed by author on half title page. Slightly foxed.
Seller Inventory # W00B-01356
- Title
- Do I Dare Disturb the Universe?: From the Projects to Prep School
- Author
- Lyles, Charlise
- Publisher
- Faber & Faber
- Publication year
- 1994
- Condition
- Good
- Dust jacket
- Dust Jacket Included
- Signed
- Signed by Author(s)
- Binding
- Hardcover
- Language
- English
- ISBN 10
- 0571198368
- ISBN 13
- 9780571198368
Lyles watched as race riots and a river burned in Cleveland. When the ashes cooled, her family was one of the first to move into Cleveland's King-Kennedy Homes public housing project in 1969. Through the eyes of childhood and adolescence, Lyles portrays their years there against a backdrop of weekly black militant demonstrations, the rise and fall of Cleveland's first black mayor, and mounting violence and despair.
At the same time, she traces her ascent from "the slow class" to an elite suburban prep school, showing how programs from Head Start to A Better Chance could open doors for those with the good fortune to find them and the courage to go through. Finally, Do I Dare Disturb the Universe? shares Lyles's search for her long absent father, a quest that culminates in confusion and enlightenment, anger and love.
Do I Dare Disturb the Universe? shows how the triumphs and failures of the civil rights era converged in Lyles's life while drawing a compelling portrait of the girl she was and the woman she became.
"Synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
Review
Lyles' story is a moving one indeed . . . a solid piece on those who faced challenges during the civil rights era. -- Book Reviewer "Midwest Book Review"
Lyles paints a detailed, thoughtful picture of race relations in the 1970s and, in so doing, demands that we continue to examine these same important issues as we move into the future. Highly recommended. -- Book Reviewer "Small Press Reviews"
Lyles straddles multiple worlds as she comes of age, and her longing for the attention of a feckless father registers on every page. Her clear, detail-rich memoir shows how she constructed an identity. -- Book Reviewer "The Plain Dealer"
A fascinating literary memoir from the viewpoint of a little girl who did dare to disturb the universe she was born into . . . Lyles has given a vivid picture, one laced with generosity, humor and insight, of growing up poor without giving up. -- Book Reviewer "The Morning Journal"
A fascinating literary memoir from the viewpoint of a little girl who did dare to disturb the universe she was born into . . . Lyles has given a vivid picture, one laced with generosity, humor and insight, of growing up poor without giving up.--Laura Kennelly"Morning Journal" (12/14/2008)
Lyles speaks to the experiences many of us have of growing up Black. She touches on issues of having an estranged parent, the wealth of living in poverty, navigating two very different social universes and finding one's proper place.--Vanessa Jones"Call & Post" (02/05/2009)
Lyles straddles multiple worlds as she comes of age, and her longing for the attention of a feckless father registers on every page. Her clear, detail-rich memoir shows how she constructed an identity--before graduating from Smith College and eventually returning to Cleveland.--Karen Long"The Plain Dealer" (05/31/2009)
An enthralling slice-of-life look at what the city once was, what it has become, and what life was like and continues to be for those in the forgotten projects . . . The politics of racial equality--the black militants that brought order to the projects vs. the idealism of her mother--tumble within Lyles as she grapples with what it is to be an Afro-American woman . . . An engrossing read and highly recommended.--Akhirnya Akhirnya"Pajiba.com" (02/07/2011)
"About the title" may belong to another edition of this title.
Wonder Book
Frederick, MD, U.S.A.
Shipping rates within U.S.A.
| Item | 5 to 9 business days | 3 to 6 business days |
|---|---|---|
| First item | £ 0.00 | £ 8.31 |
Payment methods
Store description
With 3 stores less than 1 hour outside the DC/Metropolitan area (1 in Gaithersburg, 1 in Frederick and 1 in Hagerstown, MD), we have the largest selection of books in the tri-state area. Wonder Book and Video has been in business since 1980 and online since 1997. We have over 1 Million books for sale on our website and another 1 Million books for sale in our 3 locations. Items on Abe are not necessarily in stock at our retail locations. Please do not call the stores to place orders for Abe Books sales. We have a very active online inventory and as such, we can receive multiple orders for the same item. We fill those orders on a first come first serve basis, but will refund promptly any items that are out of stock. Since 1980 it has always been about the books. ALL kinds of books from 95 cent children's paperbacks to five figure rare and collectibles. A merging of the old and new is where we started, and it is where we are today. Our retail stores have always been places where a reader can rush in looking for a title needed for a term paper that is due the next day, or where bibliophiles can get lost "in the stacks" for as long as they wish. In 2002 USAToday recognized us as "1 of 10 Great Old Bookstores", and we have been featured in numerous other newspaper and TV stories including Washington Post and CSpan. Members ABAA, ILAB.…
Association member
Members of these associations are committed to maintaining the highest standards. They vouch for the authenticity of all items offered for sale. They provide expert and detailed descriptions, disclose all significant defects and/or restorations, provide clear and accurate pricing, and operate with fairness and honesty during the purchase experience.Seller's business information
Wonder Book
Wonder Book and Video, 1550 Tilco Drive
Frederick, MD U.S.A. 21704
Terms of sale
We want you to be satisfied with the book you order. Our general description is
conservative and the book should be as good or better than our general
description
may indicate.
As we often get many requests for the same book, in some cases the book may
already be sold. We will email you regarding the availability.
RETURNS are cheerfully accepted up to 30 days. We ship out within 1-2 business
days and U.S. Standard Shipments usually arrive within 6-9 business days,
Priority 3-6. We want you to be satisfied with the book you order. Our general
description is conservative and the book should be as good or better than our
general description may indicate. We respond to every order inquiry within 2
business days, however our emails may occassionally get moved to spam/junk
folders or refused from your internet/email provider. IF YOU HAVE EMAILED US AND
HAVE NOT RECEIVED A RESPONSE - PLEASE CHECK YOUR SPAM SETTINGS AND/OR ADD OUR
EMAIL TO YOUR ADDRESS BOOK.
Right of withdrawal
If you are a consumer you can withdraw from the contract in accordance with the following. Consumer means any natural person who is acting for purposes which are outside his trade, business, craft or profession.
Information regarding the right of withdrawal
Statutory right to withdraw
You have the right to withdraw from this contract within 14 days without giving any reason.
The withdrawal period will expire after 14 days from the day on which you acquire, or a third party other than the carrier and indicated by you acquires, physical possession of the last good or the last lot or piece.
To exercise the right of withdrawal, electronically fill in and submit a clear statement on our website, under "My Purchases" in "My Account". We will communicate to you an acknowledgement of receipt of such a withdrawal on a durable medium (e.g. by e-mail) without delay.
To meet the withdrawal deadline, it is sufficient for you to send your communication concerning your exercise of the right of withdrawal before the withdrawal period has expired.
Effects of withdrawal
If you withdraw from this contract, we will reimburse to you all payments received from you, including the costs of delivery (except for the supplementary costs arising if you chose a type of delivery other than the least expensive type of standard delivery offered by us).
We may make a deduction from the reimbursement for loss in value of any goods supplied, if the loss is the result of unnecessary handling by you.
We will make the reimbursement without undue delay, and not later than 14 days after the day on which we are informed about your decision to withdraw from this contract.
We will make the reimbursement using the same means of payment as you used for the initial transaction, unless you have expressly agreed otherwise; in any event, you will not incur any fees as a result of such reimbursement.
We may withhold reimbursement until we have received the goods back, or you have supplied evidence of having sent back the goods, whichever is the earliest.
You shall send back the goods or hand them over to Wonder Book, Frederick, Maryland, U.S.A., without undue delay and in any event not later than 14 days from the day on which you communicate your withdrawal from this contract to us. The deadline is met if you send back the goods before the period of 14 days has expired. You will have to bear the direct cost of returning the goods. You are only liable for any diminished value of the goods resulting from the handling other than what is necessary to establish the nature, characteristics and functioning of the goods.
Exceptions to the right of withdrawal
The right of withdrawal does not apply to:
- The delivery of newspapers, journals or magazines with the exception of subscription contracts; and
- The supply of digital content which is not supplied on a tangible medium (e.g. on a CD or DVD) if you accepted when you placed your order that we could start to deliver it, and that you could not withdraw once delivery had started.
Shipping terms
STANDARD DOMESTIC U.S. SHIPPING IS FREE. Priority Shipping is only $6.99 for first item, $1 each additional. Orders ship within 2 business days. Shipping outside of U.S. is typically between $8-13 and takes between 8-15 business days. Heavier books may require additional shipping. Faster Needs Please Inquire.