From Publishers Weekly
This newest addition to the bestselling series features Chicken Soup's trademark stories in a "tribute to a culture that prides itself on survival, resiliency, healing, prayer and perseverance." This collection hits all those notes, with inspiring contributions from familiar names, including Martin Luther King Jr., Nelson Mandela and Maya Angelou, as well as heartfelt vignettes from everyday folks. While the writing quality varies, most essays are moving. Stories of helping others, of gifts received from strangers and of pursuing one's dreams speak to our common humanity. Yet the struggle of being black in America pervades this collection; many contributors discuss issues of identity, discrimination and injustice. Writers describe the difficulty of becoming comfortable in one's skin; of not being "a Black girl posing in a white girl get-up." Most writers also make clear that as they meet challenges, they honor the past and forge into the future: "[My father] has shown me that when a black man fulfills his own potential, he makes it possible for his future generations to come to the table and experience the world in a different and better way." Resonating throughout is the rallying cry of doing one's best, whatever the situation.While this volume speaks to a specific audience, it has lessons for everyone, including that "for folks of color, living with race isn't a choice, it just is." Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.


Book Description
This is the book everyone has been waiting for-an inspiring celebration of the joy, challenges, and triumphs of being African American.
Combine Ilyana Vanzant and Terry McMillan, then include a dash of E. Lynn Harris, and you've got Chicken Soup for the African American Soul. This book captures the spirit of the community through inspiring storytelling that understands both the struggles and joys of being African American. From Jim Crow to the Civil Rights movement to today's business leaders and gangsta culture, this book is a primer on black history. And like all Chicken Soup books, it's a moving tribute to the small things-a moment of insight, a mentor, a lover, the loss of innocence-that make life worth living.

This great volume is focused on representing all facets of African American life-man and woman; young and old; rural, suburban, and urban; rich and poor; race conscious and mostly color-blind. Chapters Include: Celebrating Our Strength, Strong Roots, The African American Family, Love and Relationships, The Power of Community, Praise, Worship and Prayer

Featured Celebrities Include: Maya Angelou, Angela Davis, E. Lynn Harris, Yolanda King (daughter of Martin Luther King), Muhammad Ali, Mean Joe Green, Bishop T.D. Jakes, Bill Cosby, Colin Powell


About the Author
Jack Canfield is a best-selling author and one of America’s leading experts in the development of human potential. He is both a dynamic and entertaining speaker and a highly sought-after trainer with a wonderful ability to inform and inspire audiences to pen their hearts, love more openly and pursue their dreams.He is the author and narrator of several best-selling audio- and video cassette programs, including Self Esteem and Peak Performance, How to Build High Self-Esteem, Self-Esteem in the Classroom and Chicken Soup for the Soul – Live. He is regularly seen on television shows such as Good Morning America, 20/20 and NBC Nightly News. Mark Victor Hansen is the #1 New York Times and USA Today best-selling author of the Chicken Soup for the Soul series. He is a professional speaker who has dedicated his live to enhancing the personal and professional development of others. In the last twenty years, had made over four-thousand presentations to more than 2 million people in 32 countries. Lisa Nichols is a professional speaker and powerful facilitator of personal empowerment. She is the founder of Motivating the Teen Spirit LLC, which provides life-changing transformational workshops for teenagers. She is the recipient of the 2003 Trail Blazers Award, Lego Land Heart of Learning Award, and the Emotional Literacy Award for her dedication in creating and building an emotionally intelligent world through education. She is a native of Los Angeles and currently resides in San Diego, CA.

FROM OUR EDITORS

In full Chicken Soup style, this inspiring little book celebrates the joys, challenges, and triumphs of being African American. Its chapter titles signal the book's themes: "Celebrating Our Strength," "Strong Roots," "The African American Family," "Love and Relationships," "The Power of Community", and "Praise, Worship and Prayer." The impressive roster of contributors includes: Maya Angelou, Muhammad Ali, Bill Cosby, Colin Powell, E. Lynn Harris, Angela Davis, "Mean Joe" Green, Bishop T. D. Jakes, and Yolanda King, the daughter of Rev. Martin Luther King.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Combine Ilyana Vanzant and Terry McMillan, then include a dash of E. Lynn Harris, and you've got Chicken Soup for the African American Soul. This book captures the spirit of the community through inspiring storytelling that understands both the struggles and joys of being African American. From Jim Crow to the Civil Rights movement to today's business leaders and gangsta culture, this book is a primer on black history. And like all Chicken Soup books, it's a moving tribute to the small things-a moment of insight, a mentor, a lover, the loss of innocence-that make life worth living.

This great volume is focused on representing all facets of African American life-man and woman; young and old; rural, suburban, and urban; rich and poor; race conscious and mostly color-blind.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

This newest addition to the bestselling series features Chicken Soup's trademark stories in a "tribute to a culture that prides itself on survival, resiliency, healing, prayer and perseverance." This collection hits all those notes, with inspiring contributions from familiar names, including Martin Luther King Jr., Nelson Mandela and Maya Angelou, as well as heartfelt vignettes from everyday folks. While the writing quality varies, most essays are moving. Stories of helping others, of gifts received from strangers and of pursuing one's dreams speak to our common humanity. Yet the struggle of being black in America pervades this collection; many contributors discuss issues of identity, discrimination and injustice. Writers describe the difficulty of becoming comfortable in one's skin; of not being "a Black girl posing in a white girl get-up." Most writers also make clear that as they meet challenges, they honor the past and forge into the future: "[My father] has shown me that when a black man fulfills his own potential, he makes it possible for his future generations to come to the table and experience the world in a different and better way." Resonating throughout is the rallying cry of doing one's best, whatever the situation.While this volume speaks to a specific audience, it has lessons for everyone, including that "for folks of color, living with race isn't a choice, it just is." (Sept. 14) Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

Publishers Weekly