Plaited Glory: For Colored Girls Who've Considered Braids, Locks, and Twists

I've been pondering whether or not to go natural for the past month or so and I've been researching the locs and the twists for a while and decided that I'd try out the kinky twists. But since I've been wearing a perm for the past 10+ years, I'll be sporting braids until the perm wears off. It was this book that provided me with everything I needed to know in order to care for my hair as it makes the transition. Lonnice gives us information from the history of "black hair" to choosing and differentiating between shampoos to the art of locing. This book has given me the final inspiration to go ahead and nix my permed tresses and let the naps shine through!

Since I was a young girl, for over 15 years, I had my hair chemically treated. Lonnice's book not only gave me the inspiration and courage that I needed to go all natural, but the pictures, hair styling tips and countless stories in the book made me realize that I *could* do it (even though I'd never done it before and even though I am a lawyer for a large corporation in a major metropolitan city). I found "Plaited Glory..." while I was trying to grow out my hair. I had wanted natural hair for a while, but my stylist kept insisting, "Trust me, you have to at least soften the curl -- I'll just relax it a little bit." I finally decided to take a break from my stylist, braid my hair and just wait until I figured out what to do. After almost a year of waiting and growing, I found Lonnice's book; shortly thereafter, (and thanks to this book!) I found the courage to take out my braids and cut off almost 10" of permed hair. I now have short, single-strand twists! I *love* my hair. I don't miss my extensions and I don't miss my damaged, permed ends at all. This book gave me the courage to finally do what I had wanted to do for years - go all natural - and look great (and professional!) doing it.

This book was the most down home honest book I ever read about black hair. Ms Bonner has an excellent sense of humor which made the book thoroughly enjoyable. I found myself in this book as Ms. Bonner recounted her trials and tribulations with her hair. Not only was this haircare book upbeat and funny but it also included tons of advice on the proper haircare. It also included numerous examples of natural hairstyles. I found this book impossible put down. In fact its in my hands now as I am typing this!

I have been wearing my hair naturally for about 4 to 5 years and people always compliment me on how long it is. Trust me, I have had my ups and downs with it. I always had long hair as a child. It wasn't until I started high school and was able to afford my first relaxer that things started to go downhill. Yes! I loved that fact that my hair was now able to get wet without me having to worrying about it reverting, but with that came the touch-ups and the hair breakage which lasted for about 7 years of my life. I had both a Jheri Curl and a relaxer. Once I finally became tired of all the hair loss I finally decided to get my hair braided and keep it that way! The relaxer did so much damage to my hair that the braider could not even get enough hair to attach and extension. The worst part of it all was the in between stage, not quite relaxed not quite natural. The braids help it out alot and it finally paid-off, after 2 years of keeping my hair braided and letting the perm grow out, my hair is now stronger and healthier. I wish I had a book such as Plaited Glory during that stage in my life, it would have saved a lot of "hair-ache". I also work in Corporate America in one of the largest telecommunications companies in the world and my braids were not look down on. In fact they were always complimented. As long as you're braids are neat and not too extravagant they will go over well.

"Plaited Glory" should have been written a long time ago. I am a young woman from Jamaica who, despite peer pressure and social pressure, has always kept my hair natural. I was so happy to find this book as I was growing my hair once again. I found Ms. Bonner's advice on hair care products and general care of black NATURAL hair very practical and useful. I am now locking my hair and read the hairlocking chapter of Ms. Bonner's book everyday. It is my "hair bible." I go to it whenever I have doubts about how I should treat my hair and what I should be doing to improve its health. I have recommended this book to many black women with natural hairstyles. Thank you for filling this obvious gap. It should not be so hard to find out how to care for NATURAl black hair, but your book is the best resource I've found to date. Most other books or articles give only an account of the history behind natural hairstyles. (Ms. Bonner, too, includes colourful and humorous stories in her book that illustrate society's view of natural hairstyles.) They don't provide information on how to groom and manage those styles. There should be many more books like this available to black women.