Barack Like Me: The Chocolate-Covered Truth

by David Alan Grier and Alan Eisenstock

Book Overview

FROM GROWING UP IN DETROIT, where he marched as a ten-year-old with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., to attending the inauguration of President Barack Obama, where he narrowly avoided the Purple Tunnel of... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1439154929
• ISBN13: 9781439154922
• Release Date: October 2009
• Publisher: Touchstone Books
• Length: 239 Pages
• Weight: 0.95 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 6.4" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

Honest, Funny Look at the Cult of Personality

Because of my particular interests, I believe this is the first book by an African-American author that I have read since Arthur Haley's Roots. While Haley's Roots raised America's consciousness about our complicity in slavery and the black man's struggle to survive and thrive under hellish, demeaning conditions, Grier's Barack Like Me shows us why there was a Messiah-like aura, in the eyes and minds of many black Americans, surrounding Obama. This is important for non-black folks like me to understand and, in the only way I know how to, experience as a reader. Even if, in the end, I cannot hold onto that perception of Obama as savior or, at this point, even a wise leader. David Alan Grier--known to his fans and friends as "DAG"--has written an honest rendition of the effect Barack Obama's candidacy and rise to the Presidency had upon Grier's personal and business life and on his hopes and dreams. You can tell that it is honest, because DAG does not pull punches in his self-portrayal as an often imperfect husband, father, son, or performer or in his contrasting adoration of Mr. and Mrs. Obama...at the expense of Mr. Grier's own dignity. This book is a fast read, very funny at times--laugh out loud, doubled over funny--yet it is deeply personal and even troubling at other times. It is riddled with profanity including the f word and mo-fo etc., language no doubt part of the Hollywood lifestyle, but probably only detrimental in a book of this type. Interestingly, when I came across the funny parts on the second time through the book, they were not quite as funny, but kind of sad and touching, as they reflected a bitter-sweet part of Mr. Grier's journey and his observance of those around him. It's also a sad comment on life in America that so many people understandably got such a spiritual lift from just being alive in the days when a black President assumed office. It doesn't seem likely that Mr. Grier would subject himself to the crushing throngs of the "Purple Ticket" holders for the next black President. DAG's tales of childhood were poignant and candid, a type of "Everybody Hates Chris" but with tears and gritty realism added. The part about the ten-year-old DAG's conversation with his divorced father was brilliant and his method of dealing with the bully about to pound him into the pavement was cool. I have to say this: DAG, your own story was every bit as compelling to me as is the story of Obama's rise to power. Of the two men, DAG seems more real, more trustworthy, more human. It was interesting to note that, along with Obama's slick style and charismatic charm, and the fact that he is a man of color, there was not much else to commend him as President. Nothing about his values, his viewpoints, his accomplishments thus far in office, certainly nothing negative...except his willingness to install his mother-in-law into the White House. I found two copies of "Barack Like Me" in the African American book section of my local W

Funny book by a funny man

David Alan Grier (DAG) tells his life story, framed by Barack Obama's inauguration. Part fantasy, part memoir, and mainly funny, this quick read shows another side of DAG. Tales of his Detroit youth - singing in the car with his friends - blend with glimpses of his career. It's too bad that "Chocolate News" is gone, because what the world needs now is DAG, more DAG.

Suprisingly Heartwarming and Hilarious

I've loved David Alan Grier since his In Living Color days and was sad to see the Chocolate News canceled. I really thought it would be his big break--a long overdue break. Very happy to see this book at the store. The read was fantastic. It's definitely an interesting mix of his life story and also his views on society and American politics and celebrity culture. I had no idea he was a Yale graduate. I loved reading about how DAG felt when the Chocolate News was canceled by Comedy Central, that he turned down the initial offer to be on In Living Color (wait till you read about what happened when Mike Tyson was upset that he'd been made fun of on the show), and gives us quite possibly the first-ever behind-the-scenes look at what it's really like to be on Dancing With the Stars (DAG was on steroids! Basically all of the contestants are!) I remember seeing the meltdown on youtube. DAG took his dancing very seriously. Ha! Reliving Obama's ascent to the presidency through DAG's eyes was also really great and kind of brought tears to my eyes which was a surprise. All in all, a great book. And I love the cover, looks great on my shelf. Everyone asks about it. Definitely worth the money.

Hilarious

In "Barack Like Me: The Chocolate-Covered Truth," comedian David Alan Grier takes a comic look at last year's historical election, interspersing it with personal stories from his own life. The book itself is thus half memoir and half political commentary switching between the chapters. Through his own unique and hilarious perspective, Grier recounts the evening he hosted the election party, shares his attitude toward the political mood sweeping the nation, and details his subsequent efforts to secure a ticket to Obama's inauguration. At the same time, Grier recounts growing up in Detroit, the adolescent period during which he was fascinated with drugs and rock concerts, dropping out of college to move to New York, as well as backstage anecdotes from his celebrity life on shows like "In Living Color" and "Dancing with the Stars." Through it all, Grier is not afraid to acknowledge his mistakes and share some behind-the-scenes gossip. Grier's humor tends to stay charmingly self-deprecating as he laughs at his own big ego, anger management issues, and child-like adulation for Barack. The frequent re-appearance of his sarcastic wife Christine also adds to the overall humor. The writing itself is witty and conversational, light and informal. There are constant flashbacks between Grier's past and present, with the stories themselves reminiscent of anecdotes told to friends at a dinner party or shared with viewers during an evening of stand-up comedy. Overall, this book was a quick and entertaining read.