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Brother West: Living and Loving Out Loud, A Memoir
New York Times best-selling author Cornel West is one of America’s most provocative and admired public intellectuals. Whether in the classroom, the streets, the prisons, or the church, Dr. West’s penetrating brilliance has been a bright beacon shining through the darkness for decades. Yet, as he points out in this new memoir, “I’ve never taken the time to focus on the inn...more
Hardcover, 288 pages
Published
October 15th 2009
by Hay House, Inc.
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I love reading biographies of people that have made an impact on the world. Professor West has certainly made an impact. I knew from reading other books that this man had a lot of energy and an impressive work ethic due to his 150 plus lectures he gives a year (which doesn't count his lectures at Princeton).
There were are lot of interesting tidbits in this book regarding Professor West. First, this was a quick read for me. I started the book around 7pm and finished around midnight. ...more
There were are lot of interesting tidbits in this book regarding Professor West. First, this was a quick read for me. I started the book around 7pm and finished around midnight. ...more
I have very mixed feelings about the book and the man. "Brilliant" is a word that is thrown around a lot, but I don't think anyone would argue Cornel West is not brilliant. Clearly he has led a rich, distinguished and accomplished life. I was very impressed with the utmost love and respect he has for his parents and brother and sisters. West is generous with praise for the people he respects and it is easy to be seduced by this well read, knowledgeable man who can discourse on such a w...more
I know many people in Christian circles who elevate West as an icon of Christianity. I have a hard time with that. His memoir only solidifies what I thought about him.
I found myself skimming parts to get through his diatribes on music and how he is a Christian Bluesman and Jazzman which doesn't make sense. By the end I found West hard to relate to and hard to understand how he can claim Christ and at the same time continue to elevate people who mistreat Christ and His Word. His stori...more
I found myself skimming parts to get through his diatribes on music and how he is a Christian Bluesman and Jazzman which doesn't make sense. By the end I found West hard to relate to and hard to understand how he can claim Christ and at the same time continue to elevate people who mistreat Christ and His Word. His stori...more
Prior to reading this memoir, I had a respect for Brother West, his great command of the English language, and ability poetically render abstract ideas in an improvisatory way.
Now, that I have read this memoir, that respect remains in-tact and reinforced by my understanding of his influences - none greater than Christ.
His story is told as I imagine an intimate interview might cause it to unfold. His voice painted vivid pictures of times and events that I have only witn...more
Now, that I have read this memoir, that respect remains in-tact and reinforced by my understanding of his influences - none greater than Christ.
His story is told as I imagine an intimate interview might cause it to unfold. His voice painted vivid pictures of times and events that I have only witn...more
Shiri Watkins
rated it
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review of another edition
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review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Those interested in knowing how Cornel West came to be Cornel West.
Shelves:
autobiographies
Prior to this book, I knew Cornel West in theory. Now I feel as if I know him a little better in spirit and truth. Plainly put, he’s incredible. His journey has been noteworthy and exceedingly adventurous. Since I was so moved by his thoughts on various subjects, I will allow him to speak for himself. Do yourself a favor and add this book to your library.
p.41 On Identity:
“But the simple truth is that I’m a Christian bluesman in the life of the mind and a Chr...more
p.41 On Identity:
“But the simple truth is that I’m a Christian bluesman in the life of the mind and a Chr...more
Cornel West is a very intellectual and passionate man who lives his life the way he wants; out loud and loving life. As the product of Ivy League education, he no doubt possesses incredible knowledge and instills the value of education in the students he teaches.
His memoir shared a piece of his life from childhood to present, discussing his journey and sharing/baring his soul for all to see. He talked of his failed relationships, his children, his immediate family, his career, and h...more
His memoir shared a piece of his life from childhood to present, discussing his journey and sharing/baring his soul for all to see. He talked of his failed relationships, his children, his immediate family, his career, and h...more
First heard Cornel West on the Matrix "philosophers" commentary, which is one of the ways to enjoy the trilogy (it's admittedly a deep watch otherwise, and easy to miss things). West has a very distinctive way of talking which is replicated in this book to an extent, so if you're not prepared for it, it can be off-putting. But having heard him speak previously, it was a pleasure to read the book in the style it was written.
That being said, this provides a very nice view fro...more
That being said, this provides a very nice view fro...more
I enjoyed Brother West's memoir. It starts out stronger than it finishes, though; the stories of West's formative years and early years as a student are piercing. The later stories of his teaching career and failed relationships are less gripping, and West seems to shrug off things that I would love to see more depth of insight in. It does make me want to delve further into Brother West's writing, and in that way the memoir has done its job.
I really enjoyed this memoir. Professor West writes of his decision to become a professor, and I really related to that. Also I loved that he cannot separate philosophy from the blues and funk music and hip hop. The music is all the way through this book, and it made more fun to read.
Chris Aylott
added it
Cornel West riffs on his life and career as a philosophical bluesman. The details are pretty ordinary -- he's just another one of those powerhouse black philosophers who loves to teach in books and universities and public lectures and prisons and hip-hop albums, you know, nothing TOO special -- but I enjoyed his language and point of view.
after an extended hiatus from writing/publishing, a memoir was not the work expected from Brother West. Needless 2say, more than a few academics were annoyed by this output. As an aspiring writer/intellectual, I found this piece helpful considering the fact that I have a Cornel West Reader in my stacks. This text is a bit of an orientation into reading the jack-leg public intellectual bluesman. However, the book's co-writer David Ritz doesn't make West nearly as intriguing and tragic as Marvin ...more
I really like Cornel West - as a person. You have to like the kind of person where you need a paper and pen when you listen to him speak so you can write down words and look them up later. This book was a good read, to remind us that everyone is human - has their faults along with their strengths. A good read if you like Dr. West and would like to know more about his "real life".
I am such a fan of Cornel West. His energy and eloquence are so vibrant. That comes through in this memoir - and Dr. West's life is truly a fascinating one. Sometimes there's a bit more name-listing than seems necessary, but it's a fascinating, quick read nonetheless.
A great look at the man behind the myth; like a few other autobiographies I've read, reading about Cornel West's warts and faults just made me appreciate him and what he's accomplished more. It's so neat to see where he's coming from, though it could do with a bit more detail on some of those fronts. I'm looking forward now to going back and reading and re-reading some of his other works. Such an amazing guy.
I ABSOLUTELY LOVED THIS BOOK & i can't believe i've never read brother west before...wonderful, wonderful, wonderful human being... not afraid of being human, wrong or otherwise, a reading list from hell, laugh and cry outloud book!!!
I've been a fan of Dr. West since seeing him speak many years ago. His memior definitely lets you see his faults, even if he's not fully aware of them himself. I guess that means he is human...
His transperancy is epic! His knowledge is astounding! Its something about reading this book that have you developing a hankering to teach and to fight for justice.
Well done. West refers to himself as a blues man and that he is. His memoir is written in a conversational style which creates a sense of immediacy. The reader feels as if West is in the room involved in conversation. I like his outlook on life. I admire his intelligence. I respect his courage and confidence.
Great read that depicts the life of a giant among scholars; his journey is anchored in love for humanity and balanced by living a life a freedom and choice.
A great and detailed look at a fascinating man. I have even more reverence for him - honest, passionate, caring, with respect for all.
A great memoir...musical and descriptive. West is one of America's most brilliant intellectuals and his prose is almost poetic in tone.
this is the perfect read for anyone who loves teaching, loving and learning. cornel west is so inspiring and blatantly honest, which i love. i must admit that i am biased, because i LOVE his work :-)
im a huge Cornell fan and this is a good primer to getting the back story of where hes from and why he is what he is
the man has a great deal of love in his heart, and his thirst for knowledge and understanding is extraordinary.
Rebecca
added it
What can I say? I love this crazy christian socialist. A unique voice and a real character.
So far, a great, fun bio. This guy is the truth. I did not know he was such a committed Christian. I'm a fan of faith like his. It's pushing me toward activism.
Not really into these kind of memoirs unless its a President's role in formulating policy, but West's life is provocative and as the title says "loud"
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For the most part a pretty good memoir. I particularly like West's frequent comments about music.
It ends a little weakly, and I would have liked more of West's Philosophical contributions to have been given more space. But for the mos an enjoyable read. I do indeed reccommend it
It ends a little weakly, and I would have liked more of West's Philosophical contributions to have been given more space. But for the mos an enjoyable read. I do indeed reccommend it
I guess I was hoping for something more political and less anecdoty. If you want that, I'd check out Race Matters by the same author. Having said that, I really admire Brother West's courage, commitment and convictions and enjoyed hearing about how his life and attitudes were shaped. He is a strong moral and prophetic voice in America's political discussion and a fierce and loving critic of our society.
Be sure to check out his radio show with Tavis Smiley, if you haven't yet. www.smileyandwest.com
Be sure to check out his radio show with Tavis Smiley, if you haven't yet. www.smileyandwest.com
Rushea
is currently reading it
very interesting individual.
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Cornel Ronald West is an American scholar and public intellectual. Formerly at Harvard University, West is currently a professor of Religion at Princeton. West says his intellectual contributions draw from such diverse traditions as the African American Baptist Church, Marxism, pragmatism, transcendentalism, and Anton Chekhov.
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“I must feel the fire of my soul so my intellectual blues can set others on fire.”
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9 people liked it
“I'm a bluesman moving through a blues-soaked America, a blues-soaked world, a planet where catastrophe and celebration- joy and pain sit side by side. The blues started off in some field, some plantation, in some mind, in some imagination, in some heart. The blues blew over to the next plantation, and then the next state. The blues went south to north, got electrified and even sanctified. The blues got mixed up with jazz and gospel and rock and roll.”
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5 people liked it
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