The Black List

This book is a beautiful tribute to African-Americans. A companion book to the HBO special "The Black List," it contains 25 interviews and photographs of a well rounded group of people who have contributed to American society in some way. Elvis Mitchell provides us with some unique insights into the life experiences of writers, athletes, politicians, activists, dancers, comedians and actors as well as many others. Each discussion is different and reflective of the personality being interviewed; some are surprises and others just pure and simple wisdom. The portraits by photographer Timothy Greenfield-Sanders are extraordinary. Each picture is a true vision, perfectly lit and exuding every subject's personality. I happen to love the portrait of Tony Award winning dancer, Bill T. Jones, because it isn't so much his fame here that gets him recognized, but rather his essence in fact it almost brings tears to my eyes. America should be very proud of the talented voices presented here and savor each with a simple flip of a page whenever the inspiration calls you.

The Black List contains a major list of people of color who have had incredible lives and even more incredible careers. The book contains some people you know and love and some people you never knew about. All of them have unique stories and all tell them well. Guns N Roses guitarist Slash was an unexpected person in the book for me but he told some great stories. Slash Even talked about some problems he had with his band when they wrote a rather racist song. The lineup goes from Russell Simmons to the crazy and hilarious Keenan Ivory Wayans. My favorite had to be author and Nobel Prize winner Toni Morrison ("Beloved", "The Bluest Eye"). She just pulls you in with every word and she is a true writer to the core. Her words really changed the day for me. The Black List is amazing, everything is slowed down but nicely paced. It is a beautiful creation of people that bring their lives and experiences to the table to show the younger crowd what we can be in the future. I loved everything about it and would recommend it to everyone.

The photographs are wonderful, but above all I appreciated the broad spectrum of political and social positions portrayed in this book. African American share common threads but the unity born of these commonalities does not restrict their ability to think for themselves. I was most inspired by Susan Rice. She has already achieved so much at such a young age. I respect her views on Andy Young's comment that "Barak Obama is as black as Bill Clinton." She acknowledges that Clinton "was a great president" and "wonderful human being" but points out that growing up in Hope, Arkansas "is not the same as growing up black in America." She feels the comment "diminishes the African-American experience". Some interviews reveal the core/essence of the subject better than others, but all are fascinating. I hope the authors put one of these out every year.

The Black List is a book highlighting and celebrating prominent black celebrities. I was excited to finally get the book and read the stories within. Some I knew, some I didn't. I learned and I was inspired from some of the stories and the photos are excellent. It may be a gloriefied coffee table book, but it's one that will get much deserved attention.

I liked that it was a mini biography of these african americans life. What the enbured as well as overcome. I let my teenager read it and she loved it as well. This is good for all ages.