Book description
From the bestselling author of Deacon King Kong and the National Book Award-winning The Good Lord Bird The modern classic that spent more than two years on The New York Times bestseller list and that Oprah.com calls one of the best memoirs of a generation. Who is Ruth McBride Jordan? A self-declared "light-skinned" woman evasive about her ethnicity, yet steadfast in her love for her twelve black children. James McBride, journalist, musician, and son, explores his mother's past, as well as his own upbringing and heritage, in a poignant and powerful debut, The Color Of Water: A Black Man's Tribute to His White Mother.The son of a black minister and a woman who would not admit she was white, James McBride grew up in "orchestrated chaos" with his eleven siblings in the poor, all-black projects of Red Hook, Brooklyn. "Mommy," a fiercely protective woman with "dark eyes full of pep and fire," herded her brood to Manhattan's free cultural events, sent them off on buses to the best (and mainly Jewish) schools, demanded good grades, and commanded respect. As a young man, McBride saw his mother as a source of embarrassment, worry, and confusion--and reached thirty before he began to discover the truth about her early life and long-buried pain.In The Color of Water, McBride retraces his mother's footsteps and, through her searing and spirited voice, recreates her remarkable story. The daughter of a failed itinerant Orthodox rabbi, she was born Rachel Shilsky (actually Ruchel Dwara Zylska) in Poland on April 1, 1921. Fleeing pogroms, her family emigrated to America and ultimately settled in Suffolk, Virginia, a small town where anti-Semitism and racial tensions ran high. With candor and immediacy, Ruth describes her parents' loveless marriage; her fragile, handicapped mother; her cruel, sexually-abusive father; and the rest of the family and life she abandoned.At seventeen, after fleeing Virginia and settling in New York City, Ruth married a black minister and founded the all- black New Brown Memorial Baptist Church in her Red Hook living room. "God is the color of water," Ruth McBride taught her children, firmly convinced that life's blessings and life's values transcend race. Twice widowed, and continually confronting overwhelming adversity and racism, Ruth's determination, drive and discipline saw her dozen children through college--and most through graduate school. At age 65, she herself received a degree in social work from Temple University.Interspersed throughout his mother's compelling narrative, McBride shares candid recollections of his own experiences as a mixed-race child of poverty, his flirtations with drugs and violence, and his eventual self- realization and professional success. The Color of Water touches readers of all colors as a vivid portrait of growing up, a haunting meditation on race and identity, and a lyrical valentine to a mother from her son.
Drop Stone
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QuantumQuipper
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MuseMaster
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Hermopolis
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Alpha
This app has made reading a part of my lifestyle, no matter where I am. Audiobook pleasure simplified β this app's design is a true winner. My audiobook collection has never looked better. Thanks to automatic artwork and metadata. A reasonable choice for casual listening. The audiobook was well-produced, but the pacing felt uneven in places. I didnβt dislike it, but I also didnβt feel strongly about it one way or another.
Darkside Hooker
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ThoughtTrailblazer
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HedgeH0g2
I've been able to explore different cultures and perspectives through a diverse range of books. ListenBook's audio filters are a fantastic addition, enhancing the sound quality of my audio files. ListenBook's compatibility with a wide range of audio formats ensures that no audiobook is off-limits.
Genghis Glyph
ListenBook's audiobook player is a true workhorse β chapters, controls, and filters are all seamlessly integrated. ListenBook's features are a dream come true for anyone who loves to learn on the go. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a delightful way to connect with fellow book lovers. CUE playlist support is a fantastic feature that allows me to curate themed listening sessions, creating a dynamic and engaging audiobook experience.
Baked ZD
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Double Eerie
Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a great way to spread the joy of storytelling with friends. The quick access to chapters and controls makes the app a joy to use. I'm always in control. ListenBook has become an essential part of my day, enhancing my commute and allowing me to enjoy audiobooks like never before.
Indestructible Potato
Library organization is brilliant. No more cluttered audiobook collection. Adjusting the tone of the voice is genius. It's like having a customizable audiobook narrator. Listening to audiobooks has never been this enjoyable. Thank you, ListenBook!
Pink Hopper
Being able to customize the listening duration is perfect for quick breaks. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction ensures that my listening experience remains clear and enjoyable.
Duke Electro
With ListenBook, I've found a way to make the most of my free time while indulging in my love for audiobooks. Organization made easy! This app's efficient management of my audiobook collection ensures I'm always engrossed in a captivating tale. ππ± The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books while commuting. ListenBook has completely changed how I enjoy audiobooks. The app is packed with features like customizable skip intervals, playback speed, and sleep timers. The interface is clean and easy to navigate. Five stars!
Don Stab
ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is an innovative touch that adds a layer of personalization. The sleep timer is a lifesaver. I fall asleep listening to my books every night.
Racy Lion
ListenBook's commitment to excellence shines through in its user-friendly interface and smooth playback. I'm addicted to this app's seamless integration with my daily activities. The app is well-designed and user-friendly. ListenBook makes listening to audiobooks a joy. Iβm blown away by how feature-rich ListenBook is. From the customizable themes to the car mode, everything is designed with the user in mind. The app works flawlessly, and Iβve had zero issues with crashes or bugs. Highly recommend! ListenBook has completely changed how I enjoy audiobooks. The app is packed with features like customizable skip intervals, playback speed, and sleep timers. The interface is clean and easy to navigate. Five stars!
Taffy Duchess
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ThreadTrail
This app is a book lover's dream come true β a vast library right at your fingertips. Finally, an app that caters to audiobook enthusiasts like me. The diverse format support and user-friendly design are a game-changer. π±π I love how I can adjust the skip intervals. Itβs perfect for my listening style.
Kabuki
Audiobooks have become my travel companions, and this app is my guide. I can't believe how much I've learned and enjoyed through this app's audiobooks. π‘ This app's convenience is a blessing β I can squeeze in reading time between managing household tasks! π±π©βπ³ ListenBookβs audio quality is excellent. The app enhances my listening experience. An acceptable audiobook that met basic expectations. No complaints about quality but nothing remarkable either. Would listen to this narrator again but wouldn't seek them out.
Napoleonic Haze
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Playing a wide variety of audio formats
Works on all devices with iOS 13 and newer
Huge amount of features for a small price
Frequent updates to add new features and improve existing ones
Advanced playback controls
Live sound processing
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice and noise reduction
Translated into more than 20 languages
If you love listening to fiction audiobooks, ListenBook has features to make the process easier.
Edit book data: title, author, cover
Use equalizer to make the sound comfortable for you
Adjust the playback speed
Enjoy dark and light app themes
Supported formats: MP3, M4B, AWB, FLAC, OGG audio files and many more (must be DRM free)
Auto-Bookmarks make it easy to find your place
AirPlay support allows redirection of audio output.
VoiceOver support
Dark mode for night owls
Convenient bookmarking system helps you mark the most important places.
Unlimited bookmarks for each audiobook
Put your own cover on the wager
Share your audiobook with friends
Lock-screen control
Customise app with extensive options
Sleep timer with shake to reset, set custom notification sounds, and a few unique options
Auto rewind depending on paused time, customize rewind times to your liking
Removing background noise from recordings made in classrooms and meetings
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice for a better listening experience