Days of Grace: A Memoir

Days of Grace was filled with great examples of figurative language, dialogue, and sensory images through the narrative of Arthur Ashe of his life living with AIDS. I read this book on a whim for an english narrative project. It had everything I needed and more. Despite only using the book for a project, the book has very good pacing allowing you to keep focused and interested. Because of the excellent use of literary elements, Days of Grace makes for an interesting yet insightful read. I definitely recommend this book for anyone who needs material for a project or assignment.

Although I never met Arthur Ashe in person, what a great resource he leaves us with this autobiography. Arthur was a man of faith, morals, business, intellect and manners. Oh yeah, he was also one heckuva tennis player. My personal enduring memory of Arthur came not in the form of his Wimbledon upset of Jimmy Connors, but rather by a subsequent televised loss some years later to John McEnroe. It would be a complete understatement to say that McEnroe carried on like . Arthur suffered through Mac's innumerable hissy fits in that match with the perturbed patience of a monastic saint enduring the constant wails of an infidel. It is hard to adequately describe Ashe's remarkable countenance that night, except to say it was the most powerful display of silence I have ever witnessed in sport. So, it came as quite a surprise to learn in this book how much admiration and respect Arthur had for John, and how much John devoted to the Davis Cup matches. If your athletic son or daughter hopes to avoid learning too late in life that there is a lot more to it than sports and glory, I implore you to force them to read Days of Grace.

`Days of Grace' is possibly the most moving biography, if not book, I have ever read, by a man whose courage, determination and decency towards fellow man have left me in awe. The book contains moments of humour, of deep sadness and of joy, and throughout there is a vein of truthfulness that is unparalleled in anything I have ever read. The experiences that Ashe had in his life were so many and so varied, from the highs of winning three Grand Slam's to falling ill to heart disease and AIDS. His relationships with his parents, his wife and daughter, tennis players including Connors and McEnroe, and with his peers in segregated Virginia are all explored thoughtfully and with careful reflection. In short, Ashe's book offers an account of his life, his beliefs and his final thoughts on the world and his life. Ashe triumphed in sport to become wealthy and well known, but suffered from racial prejudice as a child and terrible diseases as an adult. Yet not once did wealth change his outlook or basic lifestyle nor did he give up in the face of racism or death. Instead Ashe took another path, the noble path - he showed deep respect and understanding towards his fellow man, he used his wealth and his disease to help thousands of others and he never lost site of the moral lessons he had learned as child. `Days of Grace' is a remarkable book from Arthur Ashe, an extraordinary man.

I met this gentleman briefly. We were travelling on "Southern Airlines" between Atlanta and Birmingham. Both the man and the airline are gone. He was gracious, a man of dignity. As his memoir unfolds one can't help but be inspired by his example of courage, discipline and responsibility. Many knew him as a great tennis champion, but the book reveals the man, a father, a husband, a social activist, a religious spiritual being. It is a poignant testament to a beautiful being. He died of aids contracted through a blood transfusion. Most touching is his letter to his daughter, in which he says," Don't be angry with me if I am not there in person, alive and well, when you need me......... whereever I am when you feel sick at heart and weary of ife, or when you stumble and fall and don't know if you can get up again, think of me. I will be watching and smiling and cheering you on." This is a man who mastered his destiny. The book contains beautiful photos shared by his wife, a gifted photographer. The book is a remarkable legacy to his family and to all who recognize greatness. Excellent and enjoyable reading.

Arthur Ashe was a class act period.the same can be said of his wife as well.the Brother was very Intelligent and well-spoken and a great tennis player by the way.the thing that really stood out in this book to me was the fact when he said that he could deal with AIDS better than Racism.after reading that part in the book you have to wonder has this country come far at all? MR.Ashe was a well off Man and he was still dealing with Racists views and what not.this is a Man of Strength & Courage.he stood for something.he always gave a 100% in everything he did.this book is very uplifting.

Arthur Ashe wrote what most people should feel. Days of Grace is an excellent book by a very moral and courageous author. His views on race, religion, education, politics, arts, sports and life are very thoughtful and intelligent. Although he writes of so many debated issues such as affirmative action it is hard to disagree wtih a word he writes. I wish there were more books like this and indeed, more people like Arthur Ashe