Between the World and Me
Books | Biography & Autobiography / Personal Memoirs
4.5
(3.5K)
Ta-Nehisi Coates
#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • NATIONAL BOOK AWARD WINNER • NAMED ONE OF TIME’S TEN BEST NONFICTION BOOKS OF THE DECADE • PULITZER PRIZE FINALIST • NATIONAL BOOK CRITICS CIRCLE AWARD FINALIST • ONE OF OPRAH’S “BOOKS THAT HELP ME THROUGH” • NOW AN HBO ORIGINAL SPECIAL EVENT Hailed by Toni Morrison as “required reading,” a bold and personal literary exploration of America’s racial history by “the most important essayist in a generation and a writer who changed the national political conversation about race” (Rolling Stone) NAMED ONE OF THE NEW YORK TIMES’S 100 BEST BOOKS OF THE 21ST CENTURY • NAMED ONE OF THE MOST INFLUENTIAL BOOKS OF THE DECADE BY CNN • NAMED ONE OF PASTE’S BEST MEMOIRS OF THE DECADEONE OF THE TEN BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR: The New York Times Book Review, O: The Oprah Magazine, The Washington Post, People, Entertainment Weekly, Vogue, Los Angeles Times, San Francisco Chronicle, Chicago Tribune, New York, Newsday, Library Journal, Publishers Weekly In a profound work that pivots from the biggest questions about American history and ideals to the most intimate concerns of a father for his son, Ta-Nehisi Coates offers a powerful new framework for understanding our nation’s history and current crisis. Americans have built an empire on the idea of “race,” a falsehood that damages us all but falls most heavily on the bodies of black women and men—bodies exploited through slavery and segregation, and, today, threatened, locked up, and murdered out of all proportion. What is it like to inhabit a black body and find a way to live within it? And how can we all honestly reckon with this fraught history and free ourselves from its burden?Between the World and Me is Ta-Nehisi Coates’s attempt to answer these questions in a letter to his adolescent son. Coates shares with his son—and readers—the story of his awakening to the truth about his place in the world through a series of revelatory experiences, from Howard University to Civil War battlefields, from the South Side of Chicago to Paris, from his childhood home to the living rooms of mothers whose children’s lives were taken as American plunder. Beautifully woven from personal narrative, reimagined history, and fresh, emotionally charged reportage, Between the World and Me clearly illuminates the past, bracingly confronts our present, and offers a transcendent vision for a way forward.
AD
Buy now:
More Details:
Author
Ta-Nehisi Coates
Pages
176
Publisher
Random House Publishing Group
Published Date
2015-07-14
ISBN
0679645985 9780679645986
Ratings
Google: 4.5
Community ReviewsSee all
"When you read the literature coming from…. say… the Black Panther Party Members for Self Defense then you read something like this you realize that what passes for ‘Black’ literature has been dumbed down for larger mass appeal. Sad but the days of figures like James Baldwin, Octavia Butler, and Toni Morrison are long gone. 😑 "
"4.5 ⭐️ Poetically written in letter form to his son, Samori, this book is a glimpse into Ta-Nehisi’s life experiences. I found this piece raw, emotional and profound…giving a deep perspective on race and sense of self. I appreciate him sharing his truth with the world. The audiobook is an absolute must, hearing his written words from his own mouth is second to none. "
""Between the World and Me" by Ta-Nehisi Coates is a transformative literary masterpiece that I had the privilege of reading during my high school years. Its powerful narrative served as a beacon of inspiration, leading me to pursue my education at an HBCU. This book is an essential read for everyone, as it offers a profound perspective on race, identity, and the complexities of the world we live in. Coates' words resonate deeply, urging us to confront uncomfortable truths and navigate the intricate tapestry of our society. "Between the World and Me" is a must-read that prompts essential conversations and leaves an indelible mark on the hearts and minds of its readers."
"This book (letter) was very moving Coates has a special way with words that can make images out of anything. His analogy to outer space was constant throughout the writing and I thought it was a great way to frame racism in the way he is discussing it. I liked that the message was written as a letter from a father to a son. I felt wrapped up in what Coates was conveying and it made everything more personable. The concept of the Dream really stuck out to me and I resonated with what Coates was arguing."
A C
Alyssa Czernek
"Good Lord."
M R
Max Rosenthal
"This is one of the most relevant books out today, especially for white people in the United States. I HIGHLY recommend listening to the audiobook because it is narrated by Ta-Nehisi Coates himself. Hearing this deeply personal story written to his son read in his own voice was so moving. Truly one of the best books I have ever read- and I rarely read non-fiction."