World of Patience Gromes

I am a product of the world that Mr. Davis so eloquently describes in his book, The World of Patience Gromes. I remember actor Denzel Washington making the comment after his portrayal of Coach Boone in the blockbuster hit "Remember the Titans", that it is the actual real life character's reaction to his portrayal that let's him know if he did a good job or not. Having lived 5 doors down in the same block where Mr. Davis stayed during his work in Fulton, being 10 years old when he arrived and although I don't remember him personally, I do feel qualified to put my endorsement on this book. There were some significant gaps in my knowledge of the place where I was reared and how it came to the point of annihilation. I thank Mr. Davis for answering many of my questions and enlightening me in other areas. To say this book hits home would be more than an understatement. I took it very personal for it was about me, my parents, my grandparents and their parents all the way back to a place we dared not go. But Mr. Davis made the journey back one that gave me a sense of dignity, strength and hope. As a writer myself, the way the book ended inspired me to take up the cross and continue the story, for the hope he wrote about had not been realized at the end of his book. The hope has yet to be realized completely in many of the lives of the descendants of Mr. Davis' characters. However, the hope I found in his book is still alive and should be further documented. Bravo, Mr. Davis for your sensitivity, accuracy and unbaised portrayal of my roots. As you have energized my hope, my wish is that you know, like Denzel knew based on the real Coach Boone's reaction, that you did a great job!