I enjoyed Brother West's memoir. It starts out stronger than it finishes, though; the stories of West's formative years and early years as a student are piercing. The later stories of his teaching career and failed relationships are less gripping, and West seems to shrug off things that I would love to see more depth of insight in. It does make me want to delve further into Brother West's writing, and in that way the memoir has done its job. ( )

I would love to dialogue with this brother. He speaks from his heart with love and passion. Much of what he says accurately reflects my experience as an African American in America. I think he must be a great teacher... What I have encountered here has provoked my own sense of learning and feed my hunger to learn more. I really value his recognition of how the love that was poured into him is what brought about the good in his life. I am sad for the brother that he has not found a more solid root to anchor love in the context of marriage. I respect him for his honesty about this struggle. My roots are more conservative than his... I would challenge him with the idea that his primary commitment to knowledge over and even sometimes against the sacrifices needed to sustain love steps out of balance with the traditions of the church that we share. I am sure that he would challenge me on other matters if he knew my life as well and as openly as he has shared his in this book. ( )

I was on edge to get this book and I was not disappointed! I am a HUGE fan of Cornel West! Whenever I hear him I'm always in awe. His memoir is truly and inspiration.

The focal points of West's life is his undying faith in Jesus Christ, love, family, and paideia. This man has a way of articulating his ups and downs in life in a way that makes you feel as if you were going through them with him. The way he conveys how his family shaped and molded his life should be inspiring to everyone who reads it. His family especially his brother Cliff is interwoven through the fabic of his entire life. The most shocking revelation in this book is West's inability to cultivate a lasting relationship with the opposite sex. A man that is so sound and full of wisdom cannot seem to get it together when it comes to relating to a woman. Interesting to say the least. Nevertheless, I really enjoyed this book it was a pleasure and a joy to read about the life and times of one of my favorite people in the world. ( )