My Grandfather's Son : A Memoir by Clarence Thomas Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of My Grandfather's Son : A Memoir
Book Review: Inspriational and motivational
Summary: 4 Stars
While one can argue, with perhaps some justification, that this is a one-sided picture of Thomas, the book is truly inspirational. Regardless of your color or politics, you can gain the motivation to aspire to your highest desires. This book can help you to accomplish that.
Whether he did what Hill accused him of is not the concern of this review nor should it shade the value of the book. He may indeed be guilty of what she said he did. Or, he may not.
But one can still get motivation and inspiration from the words of someone who literally came from nothing to set on the bench of the highest court of the land.
His decision to return to his roots is something most people do as they age. For that reason, I think it was good that he waited until close to his sixth decade of life to write this book.
Highly recommended.
Book Review: Disappointing Screed
Summary: 2 Stars
With nearly a third of the book exacting revenge on Anita Hill, I found this unfortunate tale a missed opportunity to examine where one's sense of the Constitution and the rule of law abides. Thomas's story is an amazing account of his rise from poverty and racism to Yale, the federal judiciary and finally the Supreme Court. The early going of the book is riveting, and clearly his virtually superhuman effort and determination to accomplish unprecedented goals is inspirational.
However, once Anita Hill arrives on the scene, the focus is all about slamming her. It really is a function that less, well said, would have buried and settled it forever. For any one who remebers the whole sordid mess, it was categorically an insult and a blemish one everyone involved. Lynched? Probably. Still, that indignity would have been more devastatingly excorriated had Thomas not veered this side of stereotypical misogyny.
Thus there is likely a great story to tell here, but he isn't apparently the best one to tell it. His time on the bench thus far is not covered at all, and there is precious space devoted to his perception of the Constitution and the rule of law, to what cases he adjudicated in the federal system that formed or gave voice to his understanding of the Constituion, to the reasons he believes in conservatism and what challenges that posed him as an African American. The economic pressures he was under even up to his nomination are barely dealt with, and for anyone married under financial pressure, that stuff gets inside your way of thinking and your perception quickly. He has suffered one failed marriage, the Hill debacle and countless challenges. In some cases he seems to have learned something from the dialectic, in others there is only anger. That somehow diminishes the man and the office.
At the conclusion of the book, there is only the anger, in some cases against a white liberal he can't even remember. Maybe the salacious parts of the story are what interested Harper Collins (i.e. Rupert Murdoch) most. If so, is this just another case of a black man's frustration stoked to the financial gain of a white capitalist? I couldn't presume to comment.
It is a tragedy though that Thomas does not in this book rise above the Hill story. There is so much more he could have said that this is an opportunity missed. There is something very heroic about Thomas, he just may not be his own best advocate, and that's a principle every law student learns.
Book Review: Pathetic Racist Reviewers try to Negate a Successful Black Man!
Summary: 5 Stars
This man is smart, successful, educated and knowledgeable. Too bad some of the reviewers on Amazon have enough time away from their bong to leave such negative remarks! He is BLACK , get over it...it is 2007!!! Book Review: Road To The Court
Summary: 5 Stars
'My Grandfather's Son: A Memoir' by Clarence Thomas is a great story that tells the tale of a black man who overcame many odds to reach the pinnacle of his field by becoming of the few minority members and youngest people to ever join the Supreme Court.
From his humble beginnings in the south to switching to the Republican party in the 80s and working for Ronald Reagan to being nominated by the first President Bush, this is a great read for anyone interested in the Supreme Court, overcoming adversity, and the triumphs that a minority can reach.
Obviously one of the biggest pieces of interest of this book revolves around the Anita Hill fiasco during the conformation hearings back in 1991. Whether you believe Thomas or not (he strongly denies said charges), it's still an interesting look at history and a reminder of how nasty and difficult getting to the Supreme Court can be.
Perfect for all history and political buffs, and a nicely written biography from someone that hasn't been in the news too much in the past 15+ years. Key topics are affirmative action, abortion, and the law in general.
***** RECOMMENDED
Book Review: Liberals hate blacks who don't need them
Summary: 5 Stars
His confirmation hearing was a national disgrace. I'm sending a copy to my son in college.