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The Color of Water: A Black Man's Tribute to His White Mother - McBride, James

The Color of Water: A Black Man's Tribute to His White Mother

by

5 Customer Reviews

As a boy in Brooklyn, James McBride knew that his mother was different. But when he asked about it, she'd simply say, "I'm light-skinned". Later he wondered if he was different too, and asked his mother if he was black or white. "You're a human being", she snapped. "Educate yourself or you'll be a nobody!" When James asked what the colour of God was, she said, "God is the colour of water". As an adult, McBride finally persuaded his mother to tell the story. Her story was of a rabbi's daughter, born in Poland and raised in ...

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The Color of Water: A Black Man's Tribute to His White Mother
2010, Phoenix Audio

ISBN-13: 9781607474265

Audiobook CD

The Color of Water: A Black Man's Tribute to His White Mother
2008, Findaway World

ISBN-13: 9781606406571

Unknown binding

The Color of Water: A Black Man's Tribute to His White Mother
2006, Riverhead Books

ISBN-13: 9781594481925

10th Anniversary edition

Trade paperback

The Color of Water: A Black Man's Tribute to His White Mother
2006, Perfection Learning

ISBN-13: 9780756972684

Hardcover

The Color of Water: A Black Man's Tribute to His White Mother
2006, Turtleback Books

ISBN-13: 9781417788248

Turtleback School & Library, 10th Anniversary edition

Hardcover

The Color of Water: A Black Man's Tribute to His White Mother
2006, Phoenix Audio

ISBN-13: 9781597770880

Audiobook CD

The Color of Water: A Black Man's Tribute to His White Mother
2004, Riverhead Books, New York, NY

ISBN-13: 9781573225786

Trade paperback

The Color of Water: A Black Man's Tribute to His White Mother
1999, Audio Literature

ISBN-13: 9780787121471

Audiobook cassette

The Color of Water: A Black Man's Tribute to His White Mother
1998, Bloomsbury Publishing PLC, London

ISBN-13: 9780747538325

New edition

Mass-market paperback

Color of Water: A Black Man's Tribute to His White Mother
1998, Bloomsbury Publishing PLC, London

ISBN-13: 9780747538318

Mass-market paperback

The Color of Water: A Black Man's Tribute to His White Mother
1997, Turtleback Books, New York, NY

ISBN-13: 9780613065429

Turtleback School & Library edition

Hardcover

The Color of Water: A Black Man's Tribute to His White Mother
1996, Thorndike Press, Thorndike, ME

ISBN-13: 9780783818047

Large type / large print

Hardcover

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All Editions of The Color of Water: A Black Man's Tribute to His White Mother

The Color of Water: A Black Man's Tribute to His White Mother

2010, Audiobook CD

ISBN-13:

9781607474265

The Color of Water: A Black Man's Tribute to His White Mother

2008, Other

ISBN-13:

9781606406571

The Color of Water: A Black Man's Tribute to His White Mother

2006, Trade paperback

ISBN-13:

9781594481925

The Color of Water: A Black Man's Tribute to His White Mother

2006, Hardcover

ISBN-13:

9780756972684

The Color of Water: A Black Man's Tribute to His White Mother

2006, Hardcover

ISBN-13:

9781417788248

The Color of Water: A Black Man's Tribute to His White Mother

2006, Audiobook CD

ISBN-13:

9781597770880

The Color of Water: A Black Man's Tribute to His White Mother

2004, Trade paperback

ISBN-13:

9781573225786

The Color of Water: A Black Man's Tribute to His White Mother

1999, Audiobook cassette

ISBN-13:

9780787121471

The Color of Water: A Black Man's Tribute to His White Mother

1998, Mass-market paperback

ISBN-13:

9780747538325

Color of Water: A Black Man's Tribute to His White Mother

1998, Mass-market paperback

ISBN-13:

9780747538318

The Color of Water: A Black Man's Tribute to His White Mother

1997, Hardcover

ISBN-13:

9780613065429

The Color of Water: A Black Man's Tribute to His White Mother

1996, Hardcover

ISBN-13:

9780783818047

Books by James McBride

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Customer Reviews

Write a Review

NataliaG

Apr 15, 2010

A great Tribute !!!!

This book is, indeed, a tribute to the author's mother. In it, the author, a man whose mother was white and his father black, tells two stories: that of his mother and his own. Tautly written in spare, clear prose, it is a wonderful story of a bi-racial family who succeeded and achieved the American dream, despite the societal obstacles placed in its way.

KBreda

Jan 28, 2009

"God is the color of water"

In his book, The Color of Water, James McBride tells the story of his mother's life and the story of his own search for identity. It is the remarkably moving story of a young woman who is compelled to leave her home, her family, and her Orthodox Jewish faith and heritage behind her. Rachel Shilsky moves from Virginia to Harlem and marries Dennis McBride, a Christian black man. When her family learns what she has done, the entire family (collateral relatives included) declare Rachel dead and sit shiva. At that point, Rachel realizes that all ties to her past are severed. She becomes a Christian, changes her name to Ruth, and wholeheartedly throws herself into her new life without a backward glance. She founds the New Brown Christian Church in the Red Hook projects in Harlem, and raises twelve outstanding and highly accomplished children.

Ruth's path in life is filled with crises, obstacles and painful situations. But Ruth's journey is one that is driven by love, compassion and determination. Fortunately, Ruth is equipped with a strong will and an amazing insight. When one son asks her the color of God's skin, her response is "God is the color of water". Like everyone else in this world, Ruth makes mistakes and has to deal with personality flaws. This woman does so with (and by) grace.

James McBride shares his personal struggles as well. Throughout the majority of the book, young James grapples with racial identity issues, anger and anxiety. When James loses his stepfather in his early teens, his grief is so profound that he becomes unmoored for a few years. I am mixed race and was raised in a household of conflicting ideologies. I have to say that James McBride puts my feelings about my mixed upbringing into words -- and he gets it right.

I alternately cried and laughed as I worked my way through the final five chapters of the book, its epilogue and afterword. I identified with virtually every sentence. All of us have something to learn from Ruth McBride and her family. This book has my highest recommendations.

merksee42

Jul 2, 2007

VERY INTERESTING READ

ENJOYED BOOK, GOOD CONTENT , INTERESTING BIOGRAPHY

missyq

May 17, 2007

Riveting

This book was so inspiring and full of perseverance. The end result of so much struggling is the most beautiful payoff I've ever seen.Three Thumbs Up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

1 Silent Rating

See All 5 Reviews