My Grandfather's Son: A Memoir by Clarence Thomas
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Book Reviews of My Grandfather's Son: A Memoir
Book Review: A Great Read On A Fascinating Man!
Summary: 5 Stars
Despite what you may think of Justice Clarence Thomas, "My Grandfather's Son" is an entertaining read of what is truly great in America - person rising from the helplessness of poverty and persecution of racism and through hard work and help from others, ascends to a position of great prominence and service.
I wonder about the 1 and 2-star ratings - did these folks really read the book? While I am a fan of Justice Thomas, I would be honest if I thought his book was self-serving (trying to vindicate himself from Anita Hill's charges). Quite the contrary, Justice Thomas spends much, much more time in the book describing his struggles growing up in the racist deep South, relationship with his grandparents, career struggles and challenges, and trying to find his niche in society.
Among the topics covered in the book include:
1. Growing up in the racist deep South in Savannah, Georgia.
2. Time at seminary and Holy Cross and his encounters with racists at both schools.
3. Time as a lawyer with Monsanto.
4. Challenges as the leader of the EEOC during the Reagan Administration.
5. Personal life (father leaving the family while Thomas was a young boy, his mother bringing to his grandparents to be raised by them, drinking problem that he eventually overcame, failed first marriage and successful second marriage, etc.).
6. Supreme Court nomination and confirmation hearings (or "grillings" if you will), and eventual vote.
7. His thoughts on various Republican and Democratic presidents, senators, and other figures.
While others detest Justice Thomas, I came away with a greater admiration for a man whol was not afraid to pay the price to stand for what he thought was right. May his days on the Supreme Court last a long, long time!
In my humble opinion, despite what you think of Justice Thomas, "My Grandfather's Son" is a great read. Highly recommended!
Book Review: This is a BRILLIANT book
Summary: 5 Stars
Where to begin with all the good things that I'd like to say about this book?
1. The prose is very clear, concise, easy-to-read and unpretentious. The entire book comes in at under 300 pages and there are no wasted words. (For a VERY LONG and VERY BLOATED autobiography of a politician, see Bill Clinton's "My Life.")
2. He fills in the missing gaps from Anita Hill's account of what happened. (It was fairly easy to surmise from her writing style in "Speaking Truth To Power" that Anita Hill was/ is a drama queen.) The type of antics that Thomas described (without going too far into detail) were not at all unexpected based on the personality type that I perceived from Hill's writing. The snippets are neither bitter nor abusive. Only discussed in a matter of fact way.
3. There is some interesting discussion of the dynamics of a government bureaucracy and how it starts off to solve some problem but eventually "hardens" into something completely different. There is no long, philosophical discussion of *why* this situation materializes (as you might find by reading the works of Hayek or Milton Friedman), but just observations that it does happen.
4. The thinking is very clear and straightforward. Thomas is not a mindless ideologue, but rather someone who has thought out his positions based on actual *life experience.*
5. He made observations that racism is not a uniquely Southern phenomenon (for example, noting that the first time that he was called a "nigger" happened when he moved up North and not in the South--where the blacks and whites there came to some sort of modus vivendi).
Bad points (only one):
1. The book had no index. That might have been nice when going back over fine points after finishing the book.
All in all, this book was well worth the purchase price of a new hardcover book.
Book Review: Supreme Fortitude
Summary: 5 Stars
Prior to reading Thomas' memoir I knew very little about the man other than what was said in the media. I have always been skeptical of biographical hearsay so it was refreshing to hear from the man himself. After reading his work, I found it to be riveting, eye-opening, inspiring and emotionally moving. I was surprised yet appreciative of the degree to which he made himself emotionally bare. There are countless lessons to learn from Thomas' life. After being ambivalent about Thomas I've come to reconsider him as an admirable American role model.
The book is an homage to his grandfather who raised him and taught him the values and that have directed his life. In an age when anyone with a pulse can get a PhD, Thomas' uneducated grandfather is a reminder of the profound wisdom ordinary people possess but often gets dismissed.
You learn of Thomas' path from literal 'dirt' poverty to black radical to Supreme Court judge. Interestingly he explains how his admiration of the self-help philosophy of the Black Muslims helped formed the basis for his conservative philosophy.
He addresses the allegations that have been made against him throughout the years. He talks about his performance as head of the Equal Employment Opportunity Committee, his qualifications for serving on the Supreme Court, and of course, Anita Hill. He makes convincing refutations of the allegations. For example, he interestingly states he was considered for the bench BEFORE Thurgood Marshall retired.
Thomas' story is an illustration of what happens to anyone who tries to live according to his principles especially if he goes against whatever is culturally fashionable. The price is painfully high often with little to no payoff, but Thomas' fortitude is an inspiration to all those who believe in a higher power, and that right is right and wrong is wrong.
Book Review: Should Be Required Reading for High Schoolers
Summary: 5 Stars
Chief Justice Thomas has written a powerful autobiography that has the potential to motivate and change lives in a positive direction. Young people today need to read this book. They will get the message that if Clarence Thomas can overcome the difficulties in his life to attain all that he has, then he/she can also achieve great things by following his advice and example.
Written with great humility, gratitude, and candor, Justice Thomas lays bare his shortcomings, and his fears but through all the hardships and attacks, he was able to persevere and rise beyond all expectations. Using the lessons learned from his Grandfather who raised him and whom he called Daddy, he learned to remain true to his beliefs despite the attacks aimed at him for going his own way. His story forcefully disputes the idea that all Blacks must think the same way. His life is a testament to individualism, hard work, and personal responsibility.
His recounting of the confirmation hearings where he was unmercifully attacked by partisan politicians who cared more about their own power than about the truth, showcases the lack of integrity that many politicians have. What was done to Clarence Thomas was a disgrace-an outrage to the confirmation process. It shows clearly that those involved in maligning his character and trying to destroy him have no scruples and no sense of decency.
His final appearance before the panel, will become legend and a turning point in America's perception of what it takes to be authentic. Better than anything Hollywood could produce, his final words to the panel, will serve as a beacon of courage, truth and inner fortitude. This book would be a great gift to any high school or college student.
Book Review: Wonderful Book
Summary: 5 Stars
Having read the book, I wish Justice Thomas would have written more as it only goes through him being sworn in to the Supreme Court after surviving the brutal nomination procedure. However, the story is strong and powerful. Does Justice Thomas come off as a whining African-American who felt like he didn't get a fair shake? I don't think so. He is telling HIS story to try to get people to understand what it was like for him - abandoned by his father; given up to his grandparents by his mother; struggling to win the love and respect of his grandfather; admitting to drinking problems and financial and marital woes; trying to find out who he was - religiously and politically. Sounds like a normal person with normal struggles. But heaped on top of all that was his struggle to fit into a white world coming out of segregation - proving that despite any disadvantages, he could measure up as long as someone could look past the color of his skin. This has been the struggle for so many African-Americans, but everyone has free-will and can make their own choices. Some choose to excel, taking responsibility for themselves and their lives. Others think they are owed something. Justice Thomas chose to excel.
It is unfortunate that because he had strong supporters in the white community and married a white woman that there is the impression that he wanted to be white. Maybe he just wanted the black community to accept him for who he was, not what they wanted him to be. He was able to pull himself up and grab the American dream despite prejudice and others who wanted to hold him back. I applaud Justice Thomas for rising above what he could have become to what he became - a beautiful, solid American.