5 comments about The Pact: Three Young Men Make a Promise and Fulfill a Dream.

1. This is a great book to read. Being originally raised in Jersey City and Newark at the same time the writers were; it just proves that if young people put their mind to it, they can accomplish great things!



2. This book is a must read for every African-American male, no, not only Africian-American males, but any young man that has felt that the odds were stacked up against him. The message is: all things are possible if you keep striving.



3. This book served as an excellent Read - Aloud for my middle school students in grades 6 - 8. I read excerpts from the book about each person and the students were in awe about the struggles and obstacles that these young men had to overcome. It was dripping with real life situations and real life solutions.



4. This book was meant for any child, teen, man or woman, who are living today without hope for a better future. The pact is about a brotherly commitment between friends to achieve their life long dreams. The reason that I use the word brotherly is because their pact was only as strong as the weakest of them. They became like family in support of one another and diligently worked together to achieve their dreams.



5. I picked up this book after my wife and I started a group reading with my son of the book; "We Beat the Streets." "We Beat the Streets" book was written by the same authors but geared toward a younger crowd (suggested ages 9 to 15y/o). The pact was a great book as a source of inspiration. Being an African American male near the same age range, I was able to relate to at least one aspect of each of the three guys. At points where Rameck had a chip on his shoulder and struggle to put the anger behind him I related to that anger when confronted by unfair situations and judgmental people throughout college. Times when set backs occurred related to bad choices, an ill family member, or failing to pass a critical exam on the first try reminded me how as a young black male you feel like you're on the edge of falling of track at any given moment. Regardless of race and sex when you spear-headed the family into a new level of educational/professional success you will feel the weight of a lot of dreams and hopes placed on your shoulders daily. Often as a young man I felt times where I just didn't want to deal with that kind of pressure.
   
   This story reminded me that it is important to stay focused and move through the rough periods in order to be in a position to help friends and loved ones. By example let them know that they can achieve there goals/dreams.
   
   Two key factors in this story will continue to give me the courage to move forward. Never forget the 3 D's; Discipline, Determination, and Dedication. Always remember that choosing the right friends may mean the difference between success and failure in my life's goals. Friends are crucial when faced with situations in life that are difficult. I am proud to say that my wife is my best friend with an ear to listen. As I pursue my second master's degree my thoughts turn to adding to my list of goals a doctorate. Thank you Doctors Davis, Jenkins, and Hunt for this wonderful gift of brotherly love!
   
   I give this book a, 5 out of 5 stars. If you're a Dad it's a must read with your son or daughter. All they see is the man you are now; let them know that God, Faith, and loving relationships got you where you are today!!

1 comments about Hellbox (Transaction Large Print Books).

1. Hellbox is a collection of 26 short stories. John O'Hara defined the twentieth century short story. This is one of his best collections consisting of stories for the most part published in The New Yorker from 1945 to 1947. He gives a glimpse and a memory into middle class white life, the things people thought about, the things they fretted and aimed for. It's the small detail at times that frames the atmosphere of the story. On the flyleaf, there's a explanation that Hellbox is a printer's receptacle for broken type.

No comments about The Complete Works of Brann the Iconoclast, Volume XII (Large Print Edition).

No comments about The World of Minack (Charnwood Library).

No comments about A Mad World, My Masters: Tales from a Traveller's Life.

2 comments about The Life and Work of Susan B. Anthony (Large Print Edition).

1. It was 1998, the 150th anniversary of the first Women's Rights Convention, and it was difficult, if not impossible, to purchase a biography on the Mother of us all, Susan B. Anthony. What better way to commemorate the anniversary than to put SBA's first biography back in print. The publisher, Ayer, would re-print this 3 volume set if they received 50 orders. So I found 50 people and it's now available. "Life and Work of Susan B. Anthony" is fascinating and so alive - I feel like I'm in the attic with Ayer and Anthony writing it. Many thanks to amazon.com for liberating the order process and providing access to this wonderful primary source.



2. It was 1998, the 150th anniversary of the first Women's Rights Convention, and it was difficult, if not impossible, to purchase a biography on the Mother of us all, Susan B. Anthony. What better way to commemorate the anniversary than to put SBA's first biography back in print. The publisher, Ayer, would re-print this 3 volume set if they received 50 orders. So I found 50 people and it's now available. "Life and Work of Susan B. Anthony" is fascinating and so alive - I feel like I'm in the attic with Ayer and Anthony writing it. Many thanks to amazon.com for liberating the order process and providing access to this wonderful primary source.

No comments about A Country Calendar (Transaction Large Print Books).

No comments about James Stewart: The Hollywood Years (Charnwood Library).

No comments about Poultry in the Pulpit: Further Revelations of the Vet in the Vestry.

No comments about Caught from Time: A Country Diary from the 1920s (Reminiscence).