The Beautiful Struggle: A Memoir

by Ta-Nehisi Coates

Book Overview

An exceptional father-son story from the National Book Award-winning author of Between the World and Me about the reality that tests us, the myths that sustain us, and the love that saves us.

Paul Coates was an enigmatic god to his sons: a Vietnam vet who rolled with the Black Panthers, an old-school disciplinarian and new-age believer in free love, an autodidact who launched a publishing company in his basement...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0385527462
• ISBN13: 9780385527460
• Release Date: January 2009
• Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
• Length: 240 Pages
• Weight: 0.48 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.0" x 7.5"

Customer Reviews

Amazing book

Not a professional reviewer but I related so much with this book. I think I was in a place of comfort in my own life and scared of growth, but this book helped take the chains off. Between the world and me was equally just as good.

very good

this is a unique and wonderful book for anyone interested in American culture and the anguishes and triumphs of surviving the pain and struggles of inner-city life. it is well-written and always engaing and entrancing. the struggles for personal and cultural identity are deeply explored. Ta-nehisi has dug deep into his heart and soul to show us the hard travelin' that he did from yestrerday to today and from the darkness into the light. He has created a masterful portrait of modern America that will open your eyes. I look forward to more light from him.

Hopeful memoir, lyrically written

Truly one of the most powerful, lyrical memoirs I've read. The reader aches with recognition and hope in witnessing the struggle of one young man with the force of his parents' absolute determination that he will not be lost to the streets and the dark allure of releasing his own grip and allowing the river of hopelessness, self-abandonment, and despair sweep him along and ultimately drown him. Coates' honesty is remarkable and his triumphs hard fought and hard won. The writing itself flows with the same power that is found in skillfully written poetry - it surges into the unconsciousness in almost wordless images that speak to the vulnerable and struggling part of all of us. HIGHLY recommended.

A great book

As someone who grew up as a "county boy" around the same period as this book there was a lot of things that I could relate to. I saw myself and my childhood and my relationship with my father at times when reading this book. Though my experiences were not quite the same I do share a lot of similarities with the author and how he was raised. An excellent read as well as a great insight on growing up in a city that forced you to be hard even if you were not built for that.

Father Knows Best

Ta-Nehisi Coates introduces readers to a new and intriguing coming-of-age story, The Beautiful Struggle: A Father, Two Sons and An Unlikely Road to Manhood that takes place in Baltimore during the height of the Hip-Hop and Drug era. Paul Coates was a Vietnam Veteran who returned to the chaotic streets of Baltimore and became a leader in the city's Black Panther Party. Armed with determination, Paul Coates was a disciplinarian that strived for success and knowledge. Ta-Nehisi discusses his father's emphasis on knowledge and understanding your history in order to succeed. Ta-Nehisi admits to struggling in school as he attempted to find his way; yet he maintained the teachings of his father. He also discusses the path chosen by an older brother that teetered on self-destruction and then recovery. Paul Coates' story is very refreshing. It is not the story of a former Black Panther but of a father's determination to raise his sons. Armed with knowledge, consciousness, common sense and self-worth, Ta-Nehisi Coates tells of his failures and triumphs into man-hood that were guided by his father and aided by his mother and teachers. Though his father was strict, you could feel the love in all of his actions. Ta-Nehisi Coates' writing style is simplistic and engaging. Each page encourages you to continue to the next. Everyone that reads it will appreciate this story but it is especially recommended for young men and those raising young men. Reviewed by: Priscilla C. Johnson APOOO BookClub

Absolutely A Beautiful Struggle

This is a very good book. This young man is an awesome writer. As a person who loves books and good stories by African American authors, I was very pleased with this book and highly recommend it. The title is very appropriate.