Maggie's American Dream: The Life and Times of a Black Family

by James P. Comer

Book Overview

This inspiring black family success story centers on an exceptional woman, Maggie Comer, whose American dream brought her from abject poverty in the rural South to become the mother of five outstanding achievers. Told first through Maggie's own words, then through those of her son James - an award-winning child psychiatrist and brilliant educator - Maggie's American Dream is an unforgettable chronicle of courage and resourcefulness, of pride and achievement,...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0452263182
• ISBN13: 9780452263185
• Release Date: November 1989
• Publisher: Plume Books
• Length: 228 Pages
• Weight: 0.76 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.5" x 8.4"

Customer Reviews

An 'American Dream' Realised

I did a research study on American Dream in America during the 20s-30s decade. I've read a lot of books concerning the subject; literary works, forming the main portion of my resources. These ranged from Fitzgerald's 'Great Gatzby' to Steinbeck's 'Grapes of Wrath', from Dreiser's 'An American Tragedy' to Lewis's 'Main Street'. In addition to these quite old literary works, I collected statistical, analytical information about the particular decades, to verify what I've acquired from the novels. It was a hard study, but I managed to write a reasonably concise thesis, with the help of not the sources I listed, but with this book, 'Maggie's American Dream' instead. Why?Almost all of the books I've read were productions of imagination. Even Dreiser, who was inspired from a real account, did not stick to facts in his book, but altered them to create a fiction. However, 'Maggie's American Dream' is a true story. It is told from James Comer's point of view, in a very poetical fashion. The second part of the book is his mother's story, which is again expressed by James. The book also contains a nice section of pictures of the Comer family, which are quite interesting after reading about the family.James P. Comer had a very hard childhood, as it could be expected during the years of never-ending racism issues. Comer beautifully expresses how they managed to stand tall, and get their share in the competition of living. Mr. Comer is now working as a psychiatrist in New Haven, after having completed his doctoral work in Yale University. It is a dream that is realised, indeed.This book will provide you with a lot of insights about the lives of black families, American societal norms, family relations during the 20s and 30s, which you cannot find easily in any other source this clearly and truely.

I didn't want the story to come to an end ....

What a wonderful book. Very easy to read with lots of short chapters so that even the busiest of us can get through it quickly. And of course Maggie and her family are so real that you find you can't put the book down...you just have to find out what happens to them all next. It's a great story, and worth reading from that angle alone. But all the way through this book also gives you plenty to ponder - whether you are someone with an interest in education (and doesn't that include all parents?), someone who wishes that all people had an equal opportunity to realise their potential, or someone who really wants to know what life is like for others from different backgrounds and countries. The author also inspires us to think about how we can make a difference, in some small way, wherever and whoever we are.

Inspiring and insightful look at an amazing life

This "dual biography" impressed me in many different ways. First, it is a lovely tribute to a wonderful mother who was extremely devoted to her children. I'm so glad the author kept the first part of the book in his mother's own words--it made me really get a sense of her. Second, it provides a description of black life (both in the South and later, in Indiana) that I found extremely compelling. Third, the last part of the book tells of some of the experiences the author has had in his field of education that are very insightful. This book really got me thinking about what is would have been like to be in Maggie's shoes. She was kind and wise and I learned much from her experiences. My life is richer for having "known" Maggie!

This book is absolutely wonderful!

After reading this book, I read it a second time so that I could highlight parts of it. I was so inspired by the love that this woman, Maggie Comer, had for her family. The author, Dr. James Comer uses very simple, yet descriptive language to tell the story of his mother's dream for her children. It is a beautifully written tribute that will certainly inpsire the reader. In addition, because the story spans several generations, it is entertaining to both younger and older audiences alike. Parents should share this book with their children, and discuss it at length."Maggie's American Dream" is an easy read. After you start reading it, you won't want to put it down.

A riveting account of a mother's triumphant love

From the time Maggie Comer was a child she faced many obstcales that would have thwarted a lesser woman. She carried the lessons learned over into her adulthood and they became the model from which she developed a parenting style that was marked by wisdom not found in books alone. Hers is a tale of tragedy and triumph that keeps the reader turning the pages. James Comer's beautiful telling of his mother's story and how it propelled her children to greatness is quite the American tale. This is a remarkable salute to a mother's tireless love