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The Beautiful Struggle

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The Beautiful Struggle

Written by: Ta-Nehisi Coates
Narrated by: J. D. Jackson
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About this listen

 Ta-Nehisi Coates' debut is an infectious, reflective memoir - a lyrical saga of surviving the crack-stricken streets of Baltimore in the '80s. Son of Vietnam vet and black awareness advocate Paul Coates - a poor man who set out to publish lost classics of black history - Ta-Nehisi drifts toward salvation at Howard University, while his ominous brother Big Bill finds his own rhythm hustling.©2008 Ta-Nehisi Coates (P)2008 Recorded Books,LLC Fatherhood Parenting & Families Relationships
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Coates has the ability to paint pictures with his words that stay in your mind. Even when describing the struggle of his generation, it was poetic. Well worth reading.
Narration was superb.

A way with words

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Nothing riveting but still an extremely Impressive story for anyone who knows the history of Baltimore in this time period. Cool to see Tupac intertwined in it.

A rose that grew from concrete

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I was Extremely interested in the US black situation in the James Baldwin era. Found one friend in our very middle middle post-war suburb who tracked this stuff too. You see, as females (pre-“MS” magazine by a few years) we saw black deprivations kinda parallel to (white) women’s’ limitations. Presumptive? Guess so, but it helped provide the solace we needed. My friend married the blackest-skinned man in Montreal — agricultural student— Guianese (British Guiana then,)& went on to an amazingly fabulous life.

I’ve strongly regained my old interest — who hasn’t these days? The Obamas photos are a significant part of my decor. Help, come & save us President O!
First read Ta-Nehisi Coates, 5 star “Between the World & Me”, & part of “We were 8 ...”. 60’s parallels no longer apply. Heart-shredding problems of equal pain, but easier to hide than US African-Americans’.
Anyhow, couldn’t follow any of the “music?” Sections, but great that it really matters.
........the hills are alive with the sound of music....... No matter.

cheers from Li’l Old lady enjoying quarantine.

Ottawa, Ontario, Canada — I don’t pay any attention to Justin Trudeau. My kids went to school with him and his brothers— I’m sure he’s doing fine. Your political grand soap opera is sucking up all my time. Pay attention to Andrew Cuomo. He’s your only hope that I can see.

Learned a lot, but missed a lot

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I wasn't sure this was for me but what a great story. There were no handouts just a long hard struggle and father agree or disagree with his methods that just wanted better for his kids.

Wasn't sure

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