Book description
From the New York Times bestselling author of Deacon King Kong and The Good Lord Bird, winner of the National Book Award for Fiction: The modern classic that Oprah.com calls one of the best memoirs of a generation and that launched James McBride's literary career. More than two years on The New York Times bestseller list. 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. This book was recently reprinted with a new cover. You may receive one of the two covers shown.
From the New York Times bestselling author of Deacon King Kong and The Good Lord Bird, winner of the National Book Award for Fiction: The modern classic that Oprah.com calls one of the best memoirs of a generation and that launched James McBride’s literary career. More than two years on The New York Times bestseller list. 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. This book was recently reprinted with a new cover. You may receive one of the two covers shown.
ForumFlare
ListenBook's audio filters have given me the power to tailor my listening experience to my preferences. ListenBook's dedication to user convenience is evident in the drag-and-drop download feature from web browsers. Drag and drop downloads directly from my web browser? That's a level of convenience I appreciate.
Racy Lion
Finally, a way to enjoy literature on the go without straining my eyes. 🎉 Unveiling the joy of reading once again – this app is my gateway to literary wonders! 📚🔓
Neophyte Believer
I'm amazed at how immersive the experience is – it's like being inside the story. Enhancing my daily routines – this app's design makes listening a joy. ListenBook's integration with CarPlay and Apple Watch is seamless. I can now enjoy my favorite audiobooks during commutes and workouts. ListenBook's statistics feature is both enlightening and motivating. It's incredible to see the time I've invested in learning through audiobooks.
Flakes
I've become a more empathetic listener thanks to the emotional depth of audiobooks. With ListenBook, I can enjoy a wide range of audiobook formats without any hassle, making my listening experience seamless. 🎉 Rekindling my literary flame – this app has brought back the joy of reading in a whole new format. 📖🚀 Looping playback has taken my language learning to new heights. Highly recommended! The app is so intuitive. I didn’t even need to read the instructions.
Kitchen
ListenBook's integration with CarPlay and Apple Watch is a seamless addition to my daily routine. I can't believe how easy it is to download audio from various sources. So convenient! The app's ability to handle various audio formats is impressive. No more file conversions! Downloading books over WiFi is quick and hassle-free. Very convenient.
Energy
As an audiobook enthusiast, this app is a dream come true. Its compatibility with various formats and easy navigation make it my ultimate reading companion. 🌟🎧 Love the download options. ListenBook gives me so many ways to get my audiobooks onto my device. I love the ability to import books from my computer. It’s so easy.
Lady Killer
With ListenBook, I can immerse myself in captivating stories and enriching knowledge, all in one convenient app. 🌟 Making every moment count – this app turns everyday activities into a reading adventure! 📚💫 ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is fascinating. I can alter the reader's voice to match my mood—what a creative addition!
The Belgian
Book Groups on ListenBook make it easy to categorize and access my audiobooks. Listening to books while doing chores? This app makes it possible! Adjusting the tone of the voice is a creative feature. It allows for a unique and personalized experience. The adjustable playback speed is a secret weapon for getting through educational content faster.
Sherwood Gladiator
With ListenBook, my audio content is organized, accessible, and ready to inspire me. This app has transformed my daily walks into insightful journeys of knowledge – talk about efficiency! I love the ability to import books from my computer. It’s so easy.
Hobo Samurai
No more fighting over the radio during family trips – we're all hooked on audiobooks now. I appreciate the minimal ads – it's all about uninterrupted enjoyment. Kudos to the developers! 🌟 Unleashing the power of audiobooks with this user-friendly app – it's like having a personal storyteller on demand! 📚🔥 Drag and drop downloads are so convenient. No more messing around with complicated steps.
Thunder Tank
Background play feature lets me multitask while enjoying a book – brilliant! Listening to audiobooks while gardening has made my outdoor time even more relaxing. I'm in awe of how technology has enhanced my reading experience through this app. I'm impressed by ListenBook's dedication to providing a comfortable listening experience. 🎙️ The app's functionality is a true work of art – it enhances the audiobook experience and brings stories to life. 📚🎨
Nessie Pork
ListenBook's powerful audio downloading features are a game-changer – I can have my audiobooks ready in no time. ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is an innovative way to make each audiobook unique. Looping playback is a game-changer for my study routine. It helps me retain information effectively. Auto-rewind is incredibly helpful. Excellent functionality. This app is a game-changer for audiobook lovers! The interface is clean and easy to use.
Willow Dragon
ListenBook's beautiful layout and quick access to chapters make every listening session a pleasure. 🚶♂️🌟 Embracing audiobooks as my companions during leisurely walks – nature and narratives, a perfect match! 🚶♂️🎧 User-friendly brilliance! This app's functionality enhances my audiobook experience.
DreamDiver
ListenBook's innovative features, from audio filters to statistics, make it a standout app. This app's convenience has made my audiobook addiction thrive! Savoring audiobooks without fuss – this app's design is impressive. The download options are versatile, making it a breeze to get my favorite audiobooks on the go. Easy sharing with friends via AirDrop. Very convenient.
Gullyway
The ability to download audio from network devices directly within ListenBook is incredibly convenient. 🚗📖 On-the-go listening has never been smoother – this app's functionality keeps me engaged during long commutes. 🚗📚 The audio filters in ListenBook allow me to customize my listening experience. Speed up or slow down playback—it's all up to me!
Mauve Cactus
An audiobook lover's dream come true. So many options, I'm in heaven! The ListenBook app has transformed my device into a treasure trove of knowledge and entertainment. Makes audiobook listening super easy and enjoyable. Thank you! Beautiful design and intuitive interface. Very user-friendly. I love the ability to customize the skip buttons. It’s so convenient.
Queen Ginger
The sleek design and easy navigation are visually pleasing and user-friendly. I'm amazed at how effortlessly I can immerse myself in books through this app.
PixelPathfinder
I appreciate how ListenBook offers various methods for downloading audio – it caters to different preferences. 👩🍳 Elevating culinary experiences with auditory tales – cooking has never been this entertaining and educational! 🍳🎧 The adjustable playback speed feature is a true innovation. It adds a personalized touch to my listening.
Bad Bond
🌌 Whether I'm cooking, commuting, or relaxing at home, this app's seamless functionality keeps me engaged in captivating narratives. 🎧✨ ListenBook's sharing options make it a breeze to connect with fellow audiobook enthusiasts and share recommendations. Automated artwork and metadata extraction make my audiobook library look neat and professional.
Morbid Sugar
Now I can enjoy my favorite books anytime, even during workouts. I'm amazed at ListenBook's intuitive interface and precise controls – it's a joy to navigate. This app's convenience and ease of use have transformed my screen time into productive learning sessions. 👀📚 Exploring stories even with my eyes off the page – this app is a bedtime dream! 😴🎧 Binaural audio reduces listening fatigue. Such a great feature!
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