My Grandfather's Son: A Memoir by Clarence Thomas
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Book Reviews of My Grandfather's Son: A Memoir
Book Review: The rest of the story....
Summary: 5 Stars
I was excited when I learned that Justice Thomas had penned his memoirs because I had always wanted to know what happened to him since leaving St. John Vianney and becoming a Justice on the Supreme Court of the United States. I was a classmate at St. John's, one year behind Clarence. There were only 60 students in the seminary at the time; just nine in my class. I can remember those days, sometimes fondly, other times with melancholy. Mostly, I remember Clarence befriending a young freshman and including me when we were selected for intramural sports teams or work crews. I can remember his broad smile, big laugh and understanding character throughout those impressionable few years. I never knew of his personal pain and angst about racial sensitivity because he was always kind and understanding with me. Clarence's book, "My Grandfather's Son", gave me the rest of the story. Not unlike most of us, as well as other important figures in American history, Justice Thomas has a personal story to tell about how his principals and values were forged. I can personally testify about the young man I only knew for a few years as Clarence. He was smart, friendly, and kind. He had a mean slam dunk and a powerful over the net volleyball smash. Most of all he had a good heart. Congratulations on the book Clarence. You've done us all at St. John's proud!Book Review: An Autobiographical Classic
Summary: 5 Stars
I only bought this book because when I saw Justice Thomas on 60 Minutes I was impressed by his humility and humor. It seemed obvious he's a decent man and not the villain he has been made out to be in the New York Times. I thought it might be an interesting read. It turned out to be one of the most powerful autobiographies I have ever read. A must-read. Thomas is so painfully honest about his life, both his actions and his inner thoughts; at times it's actually uncomfortable to read. I think we're so accustomed to people selling themselves in this age of the image -- it's shocking to find someone so brutally forthcoming about his flaws and mistakes. I especially appreciated his honesty about his financial struggles. (He was paying off his school loans when he entered the Supreme Court!) It's unfortunate that his name will forever be linked to Anita Hill's but he certainly sets the record straight on that matter. It's frightening what has happened to America that such a decent and talented man should be so maligned simply for not walking in lockstep with the ideology of those in power. Thomas says that when he judges he calls them as he sees them. When he declared the orchestrated smear against him was nothing but a "high-tech lynching" he judged correctly. Buy this book. You will not be disappointed. It's a triumph.Book Review: Superb American Biography
Summary: 5 Stars
This book is, firstly, a distinctly American biography. Justice Thomas comes into the world with zero advantages and rises to great heights on his own intellect, integrity, and work ethic. Thomas's journey is America's. If we had an editor around here, such clichés would be stricken, but in this instance that would be a mistake. At the end of the 20th Century two Justices sat on the Supreme Court who had grown up without indoor plumbing. Thomas's youth is about as hard as can be imagined without actual chattel slavery.
It is also a political tale. Thomas leaves the Catholic church and avoids the Republican party over tacit acceptance of racism and segregation. He and his family later look on in horror as the party of JFK becomes the bigots at his "high tech lynching." Thomas is consistently hurt by the people and polity who are there to help him, and when he speaks out, he's cast aside by white liberals for being uppity.
It is also a tale of incredible strength and courage. Hats off to this great man for his forbearance and strength. I read Bork's "Tempting of America" last year. One realizes that we are chasing out any decent people from government service. No wonder only he crazies seem to be left -- how many decent people would or could put up with this?
Book Review: unvarnished
Summary: 5 Stars
What an amazing book.
It is remarkable that Clarence Thomas gives so much of himself in such an open, honest manner. He reveals his soul to the core.
He does NOT discuss the Supreme Court, but rather ends the tome soon after his confirmation.
Most of the book is about his early life, from childhood through college. He reveals the depth of his soul searching as he found that conventional thoughts were wrong. The pain and isolation when he failed to conform. His anger and frustration. His difficulty in coping. All of the emotion, angst and sorrow are dripping from certain passages as is his admiration for "Daddy", the grandfather who raised him. The only omission is the thought process that made him leave his wife and child.
Only the very end deals with the hearings. His disgust for the accurately described "lynching" is, like the rest of the book, undisguised. Interestingly enough, his anger towards Anita seems to be tempered at most, if not nonexistent. Despite her outrageous lies it is as though he considers her a victim of the Senators that used her.
I have never read a book that is this open, honest and revealing.
Anyone with a shred of humanity will be moved by this unvarnished memoir.
Book Review: An Inspiring Account
Summary: 5 Stars
Clarence Thomas is a man who has been true to himself and his beliefs. By so doing, he has had to endure a lot of harsh, unjustified criticism, but he has never flinched.
Thomas is a role model not just for conservatives, but for everyone--everyone who is searching for the courage to stand up for what they believe in. In some ways, Thomas reminds me of Senator Joe Leiberman. Leiberman's stance on the Iraq war has made him the target of harsh attacks from his fellow party members. But Leiberman has not backed down. It is the same for Thomas...
In this age of politicians who study polls and focus groups before declaring their beliefs, it is refreshing to read about someone who is true to their convictions.
Thomas is a courgeous man who had the determination to go after his dream despite daunting odds. He wasn't content to "stay in his place." Rather, he reached for--and attained--the stars.
He is an inspiration to all who dream...for all who aspire to something better than what they have now.
Also recommended: Christmas Gifts, Christmas Voices--a story of an individual who overcame tremendous grief...