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leasummer's review against another edition
4.0
A beautiful book by a truly amazing man. It’s heavy on faith and love and hope and the long game. A bit of history with a civics lesson. Definitely worth absorbing this wise man’s word.
lesserjoke's review against another edition
4.0
In this 2012* publication, author John Lewis shares the guiding principles that he has found particularly effective in his work as a Freedom Rider in the Civil Rights Era and later a progressive Representative in the US Congress. The idea is to provide a framework for future activists, and although that prescriptive approach can sometimes seem a 'kids these days' complaint about people doing things differently than he has, it's overall a helpful and inspiring account. Even while quibbling with some of the writer's claims -- is faith in a higher power really necessary for a justice movement? -- it's hard to come away from the book without a feeling of respect and gratitude for his accomplishments here and elsewhere.
*I read the 2017 edition, which includes a few references that clearly postdate the original, like the Obergefell v. Hodges court case, the Women's March, and Dr. David Dao getting forcibly dragged off his overbooked United flight. Yet the text has not always been updated accordingly, with the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture for instance still being described as opening soon. I can't speak to what all has been changed or not between the two versions.
[Content warning for racist violence.]
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*I read the 2017 edition, which includes a few references that clearly postdate the original, like the Obergefell v. Hodges court case, the Women's March, and Dr. David Dao getting forcibly dragged off his overbooked United flight. Yet the text has not always been updated accordingly, with the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture for instance still being described as opening soon. I can't speak to what all has been changed or not between the two versions.
[Content warning for racist violence.]
Find me on Patreon | Goodreads | Blog | Twitter
nolang's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.75
cat_book_lady's review
4.0
4.5-5 stars. Here me out. John Lewis and I have very different political views, but I also like to listen to other perspectives, so I decided to give this a shot, and I AM SO GLAD I did. He is one of the most inspirational, courageous, spiritual people next to the lines of MLK Jr and Billy Graham I have ever read. He taught me how to be humble, to fight for what's right, to stand up for all people no matter race, color, ethnicity, sex, you name it. He chose peaceful protest to help change the world, and he refused to fight back even when put in prison, beaten, spit on, taunted, harassed, whipped - you name it. To hear his journey and what it took to cross a bridge in Alabama staring down the barrel of a rifle and thinking you would die that day...I am beyond stunned. To hear him regale stories of these black men and women risking their lives to be considered equal - this made me feel incredibly naive and wholly unknowledgeable of what was happening in our country...it just made me feel very weak in comparison.
The movement started with ministers, not politicians, and therein lies the struggle for truth, dignity, and the soul of humanity. He talks so much about his faith and how this was their lifeline, knowing that they could touch his body but they couldn't destroy his mind. I had no idea what a strong Christian man he was, and while this should not have shocked me, it did because I too have been caught up in the you vs. me mentality without considering we are all part of the human race.
This entire book was one significant quote after another, so it's impossible to pick just one.
Why not 5 stars with such a glowing review? Well, at times he did repeat himself and quite often, and I got the message a few chapters ago. Not that it doesn't beat repeating, but I wanted more on his experiences and a little less preaching. I get why he was overjoyed to see Obama elected into the White House - the true epitomy of decades of pure struggle and a symbol that they started with fighting to sit on a bus with white people, and now they have a black man as president. Only critique here is that it seemed that's who Obama was - a symbol of victory overcoming injustice, but Lewis never talked about whether he was actually the right man for the job, but emphasized that he was the right color for the job.
But if you want your kids to know what heroism looks like, consider this book. The man has left a veritably unparalleled legacy in the civil rights movement.
I am a richer person for having read this book.
The movement started with ministers, not politicians, and therein lies the struggle for truth, dignity, and the soul of humanity. He talks so much about his faith and how this was their lifeline, knowing that they could touch his body but they couldn't destroy his mind. I had no idea what a strong Christian man he was, and while this should not have shocked me, it did because I too have been caught up in the you vs. me mentality without considering we are all part of the human race.
This entire book was one significant quote after another, so it's impossible to pick just one.
Why not 5 stars with such a glowing review? Well, at times he did repeat himself and quite often, and I got the message a few chapters ago. Not that it doesn't beat repeating, but I wanted more on his experiences and a little less preaching. I get why he was overjoyed to see Obama elected into the White House - the true epitomy of decades of pure struggle and a symbol that they started with fighting to sit on a bus with white people, and now they have a black man as president. Only critique here is that it seemed that's who Obama was - a symbol of victory overcoming injustice, but Lewis never talked about whether he was actually the right man for the job, but emphasized that he was the right color for the job.
But if you want your kids to know what heroism looks like, consider this book. The man has left a veritably unparalleled legacy in the civil rights movement.
I am a richer person for having read this book.
mrs_v's review
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
5.0
I woukd teach this in a government oe English class in high school or college. So many great ideas to make changes and how to live in harmony!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse