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Hope On A Tightrope: Words And Wisdom (2008)

by Cornel West(Favorite Author)

4.1 of 5 Votes: 2

ISBN

1401921868 (ISBN13: 9781401921866)

languge

English

genre

History & Biography

publisher

Hay House

review 1: I've never read any of Dr. West's books, and that is to my fault. I came across this book months ago and wanted to read it. I am so glad that I did. This book didn't just move me, it challenged me to really examine myself and hold a mirror up to myself and look at the man I am according to the prerequisites that Dr. West addresses. As a Christian, as Cornell is, this book made me want to use his philosophical insights when I read the Bible and use them as character standards to better myself not just a man of color, or as a Christian, but as a man.I would advise those who are weary of Dr. Cornell West, please approach this book with a very open and receptive mind. The best chapters in this book are "State of Emergency," "Faith," "Philosophy" and "Courage." I could on and o... moren with praise for this book, but that would be spoiling it for others. Read these mentioned chapters whether you are a Christian or not, or just a person who is seeking a deeper meaning spiritually.
review 2: I’m going to assume you know who Cornel West is, because no one accidentally reads a Cornel West book. Either you were assigned one of his books in a political science or African-American studies class, or you’re already a fan of his. So I’m limiting my review of this book to its literary merits and not the merits of its content. Hope on a Tightrope is unlike his other books in that he is not laying out a comprehensive argument and building its proof (e.g. Race Matters or Democracy Matters). Instead, this book is more a free-flowing rant on a variety of subjects such as courage, leadership, social justice, family, music, etc. Dr. West tries to tie them together by discussing the idea of “hope” and defining it as something different from optimism; it is rather, having a vision for a changed future. The tightrope part of his concept of hope is that blind visions of the future are often derailed by the reality of the struggle that will be necessary to accomplish that future. I don’t think he is completely successful in unifying the variety of topics he covers, but given the breadth of the subjects he opines on, I don’t hold that against him. From a prose perspective, it reads like you are listening to Dr. West speak in person – which means it’s sermonizing that is part aphorism (“Truth is all about allowing suffering to speak”) and part political rhetoric (i.e. he uses terms like “neocon” and “military-industrial complex”) and part progressive poetry (“The marketplace culture of consumption undermines community, undermines links to history . . . and undermines relationships”). The book is accompanied by a free CD that is Dr. West being interviewed by Tavis Smiley set to some jazz, so that’s a bonus point. But unfortunately, I found it mostly shallow, with Dr. West spouting opinions without backing them up. Fans of Cornel West will love this; I could take it or leave it. less

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