A Country of Strangers: Blacks and Whites in America

Shipler has compiled a great deal of first person accounts and analyzed them in such a way that the reader cannot deny the truthfulness and depth of the arguments. A must read for all.

I found David Shiplers book to be very true and to the point. Being a person of color, I already know how we (people of color) feel about race relations. I found it most helpful to see it through the eyes of a white male. I have been tempted to buy a box of this book and carry it with me to give to people. I believe everyone should read this book and debate the content. Of course, not everyone will agree, but for those who are just beginning to explore race relations, this is a great introduction and a most interesting read.

Mr. Shipler does a fine job in this book at examining how race impacts numerous situations in America. He leaves out, for the most part, Hispanics, Asian-Americans, Native Americans and other groups, in his focus on white and black, and readily acknowledges this - since that division is the one most discussed, it begs the most attention. A good analysis of race in the military, in education, in the workplace, in the family, in the communities - in basically every situation - is contained within this book. Mr. Shipler writes with a journalist's style, letting the voices of many different people be heard, without imposing his own too often. Well-researched, well-written and most definitely recommended. Books on racial issues are very common, but this one seems to stand out among them in many ways.

Three-fourths of the way through this book, I am blown away by what I have read so far. It is NOT an easy book to read, especially for someone like me, who has led a pretty sheltered life. Although I knew about 'slavery' and "civil rights' and thought myself to be pretty educated, this book makes me realize that I have known NOTHING of the real world,the one that African-Americans, and other oppressed people, live in. I really appreciate the chance that this book has given me to see the world and live the day through their eyes. I find myself thinking about it all the time--do blacks really think of me like THAT? I wonder. Do I ever do THIS unconsiously? This is the kind of book that makes you ache for company to discuss it; to debate it; to share. If you belong to a book club, this should be your next read! I cannot say enough about how it has stirred my emotions, my imagination, my shame, and my sadness.