My Grandfather's Son: A Memoir by Clarence Thomas
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Book Reviews of My Grandfather's Son: A Memoir
Book Review: Memoir of a Man... a black conservative
Summary: 5 Stars
In this work, Justice Thomas bares his soul as to the man behind the robes, warts and all. Many critics have accused him of "whining" but I would disagree vehemently. By making it clear how much he personally felt the pain of the various incidents in his life, none so much as the vetting for the Supreme Court in the Senate, he becomes a "real person" and less a political persona.
Many in his place would likely have glossed over the "getting there" and simply waxed philosophical about how noble the system is that allowed him to achieve his current position. Rather, Justice Thomas points out the surprising personal vitrol that he experienced, from both black and white liberals, as a "conservative" black man. His condemnation of modern liberalism and its impact on the African-American family and community is enlightening. It had to be, and no doubt continues to be, a lonely life as a black, conservative living in the liberal bastion that is our nation's capital. His unwillingess to become a token in any sense, coupled with a deep-rooted intellectual development into a social conservative (in the true sense of the word) provides an interesting read. His long-time relationship with John Danforth, and the insight into this well known political figure, was heartwarming and offered some hope that there may still be "honest" men and women among our elected Congress.
All in all, Justice Thomas bares his soul as to the struggles of a young, southern, black man who was able to take advantage of his gifted intelligence, achieving a notable academic and professional career. The shadow of "quotas" that he acknowledges clouded his college and law school achievement are an unfortunate aspect of a society that mislabelled his successes. Justice Thomas was intellectually more than a match for both Holy Cross and Yale Law School. The personal doubts and societal stereotyping that he fought for years are illustrated graphically in his poignant illustrations of the financial, social, religious, marital, philosophical and emotional roller coaster ride of his life's story. This is a very real, non-politically correct memoir of a man fighting stereotype, personal doubt and slander for much of his adult life. He does not cry about it. He does not blame anyone for it. Rather, he points out how he has, with the help of a loving spouse and son as well as numerous close friends who have always believed in him and stuck by him, matured past these low points in his life. He simply seeks to identify himself as a man, a father, a husband, a Christian... and his grandfather's son. He has persevered.
Any person (but I would argue that men will be better able to understand it) who has struggled with obstacles and has come out the other end a better person, remaining committed to the values and important people of his life will find this a refreshing, emotionally charged story. It may also provide insight into the judicial mind of this good man and outstanding jurist.
Book Review: A Story That Should Inspire All Americans
Summary: 5 Stars
I don't generally read autobiographies of contemporary figures, but after watching his interview on 60 Minutes last month, I was compelled to read Justice Clarence Thomas' autobiography, My Grandfather's Son.
And I'm glad that I did, because it's one of the best books I've read in quite awhile.
Clarence Thomas's story is one that should be an inspiration to all Americans regardless of race, religion, or gender. Here is a man, a black man, who was born in the poorest part of Georgia in an era when Jim Crow still reigned supreme. He was born into a single-parent family -- his father having abandoned his mother early on -- and lived for a time in some of the most excruciating, heart-wrenching, conditions of poverty conceivable in modern America.
And yet he succeeded. He excelled in high school, graduated college, and graduated from one of the most prominent law schools in the country. Eventually he went on to a well-regarded career in the government and then found himself standing next to the President of the United States on a summer day in 1991 being nominated to the Supreme Court of the United States. That should have been a day to make all Americans proud, instead it was the beginning of one of the most despicable Supreme Court nomination processes in history.
I felt that way about the Thomas hearings when I was watching them as a law student back in 1991, but, after reading the story of Thomas' life before those days, it makes the outrage of what happened to him back them all the more palpable.
But the Anita Hill fiasco only comprises 20 pages out of a nearly 300 page book, and it is hardly the most compelling part of the story of Justice Thomas' life.
Thomas tells a story of his rebellion against the one person who had taught him the most, his grandfather, his flirtation with black radicalism in the 1960s, an unsuccessful marriage, and even struggles with obvious depression and alcoholism. And he doesn't hold anything back when he's talking about the depths to which he'd sunk before realizing that the key to turning things around was returning to the values he'd learned as child.
It's a story that should be compelling regardless of your political affiliation, and regardless of what you think of Clarence Thomas as a Supreme Court Justice. It's the story of a man who overcame desperate poverty and racism to achieve something that only 105 Americans before him had done.
And it's a story worth reading.
Book Review: A worthwhile read
Summary: 5 Stars
A well-written, informative autobiography of Justice Clarence Thomas about whom I'd not heard until the Anita Hill controversy. I admit I tended to believe her having known of such incidents in my own life experience. None of us knows what goes on behind the scenes in another person's life and often the press latches on to (or even makes up) negatives or perceived images/events floating about in the universe at any given time. It helps to read Thomas's side of the sordid accusations brought against him by Hill. I tend to believe him, though the only two people who know the truth are Thomas and Hill.
The title comes from the fact that Clarence and his brother, Myers, were raised by their maternal grandfather, who they called "Daddy," and his second wife, "Aunt Tina," who was the only "grandmother" they ever knew. Daddy was hard, honest, and believed in self-reliance. He was hard on the boys. One of the conflicts in Clarence Thomas's life was to see how lovingly Daddy treated his grandson, Jamal, when neither he nor Myers had ever seen this side of him. The book takes the reader through Thomas's confirmation to the Supreme Court and includes his side of the Anita Hill affair mentioned earlier.
Thomas seems to write honestly about the ups and downs of his life. At times the book is hard to read as Thomas describes the years during which he felt lost, confused, angry, hurt, guilty, betrayed, full of regret, and inadequate as a person. I've come to admire his willingness to buck the tide of the `conventional wisdom' regarding the plight of blacks in America, and to stick to his true beliefs, no matter what it cost him personally. The book illustrates how difficult it is in to get anything done in Washington and the nastiness that exists there. It takes a Herculean effort and the ability to withstand the scrutiny and criticism of so many who operate clearly from a personal agenda and not in the best interest of the country. Interestingly, all of this makes me admire our country more than ever. In spite of the mere size of it, the diversity of its population, and the complexity of its needs and policies of continuance, we persevere as a nation.
Thomas writes clearly and frankly through a time I remember well, and I wish him the best as time goes on.
Carolyn Rowe Hill
Book Review: Remarkable Story to Read of Journey from Pinpoint, GA to U.S. Supreme Court Justice
Summary: 5 Stars
I like others totally enjoyed this remarkable read. If taken at face value, the value that the author states for writing it: to provide clear story of his life rather than let others take a shot at it, then this serves the vital function of providing history with such.
How can anyone decisively determine the accuracy of such? Especially the incident with Ms. Hill? Those on both sides will certainly try and argue their side. The invaluable contribution of this memoir is for history, he has stated here clearly and in some detail his side of the story for posterity. Quite honestly, I can find info in this memoir which both sides could utilize to support their case. I choose to for the moment at least take Thomas' side, sensing his honesty and openness to admit and detail his failures and shortcomings rather than hide them. Further, if the confirmation process in question here was as self-serving as he writes about it with its only goal in the self-destruction of this man's reputation for idealogical goals only, than that is truly one of the most despicable moments in our legislative history. I'm sure many American citizens agree that the media circus that such hearings have taken in the past only confirm the suspicions held that this is the case.
Truly touching in this recollection of a most interesting life of some hopes realized is this man's rise from broken family to self-sufficiency. The resolve of grandparents to raise from such a modest sustenance is inspirational and at the same time shameful on the part of white race and what has been done to the people of color.
Further shameful is the other side of racism which Thomas exposes, that of people of color doing in their own who try and think for themselves. Stephen Carter comes to mind here as well, as well as some friends of mine who have stated this same experience and concern in their lives.
Especially appreciative of Thomas' candor in exposing his fall from faith and return during his time of crisis.
I enjoy this read and recommend it highly for our country to read, ponder and discuss. It expresses a very neglected side of our country that needs to gain a wide hearing and fair shake, which I doubt it will from certain corners who do not care about truth anymore.
Book Review: Not a Native Son
Summary: 5 Stars
This well written autobiography is a revealing look at a very private man. Thomas writes, "I'd always been one to close my shutters to the world." He opens the shutters here, revealing his history and philosophy, his pain and his convictions. It was not exactly a page turner, but it did keep my interest throughout. I found it very easy to read.
The tone of the writing is fairly even, although sometimes Thomas is defensive. This is understandable, considering the vituperation that he has faced. The author writes about the suffering he has endured from public attacks on his person and his career. He relates how he has been relentlessly attacked by people who celebrate diversity, but cannot tolerate diversity of opinion in black Americans.
Even more revealing is his description of how things are done in Washington, and how things get done to people. While describing his Supreme Court nomination process, he gives us a firsthand account of some of the major players in US government. He writes about the duplicity of the press, the NAACP, and Joseph Biden. He writes about the magnanimity of quite a few democrats, including Pat Moynihan, Vernon Jordan and Fritz Hollings. He credits Al Gore for his honesty. Gore reportedly said that he would vote to approve Thomas's nomination only if he (Gore) decided not to run for president! Senator Robert Packwood tells Thomas that he likes him, but must vote against his nomination to keep the support of women's groups who are opposed to Thomas. Ironically, these same women's groups would call for (and get) Packwood's neck when his own scandal hit the press. Whether you like Thomas or not, there is a lot of interesting detail about our government in these pages.
In the final chapter, Thomas compares himself to Harper Lee's Tom Robinson. The case against him (Anita' Hill's accusations) was flimsy, but those who opposed him were willing to use any ammunition they could muster. At the time I wondered what Mr. Thomas must have felt, enduring that gauntlet of opprobrium from the press and the democrats. His book answers this question thoroughly. Although I don't agree with some of his decisions as a justice, I was left with admiration for the man's courage, and respect for his principles.