James Newman was a brilliant mathematician, the man who introduced the mathematical concept “googol” and “googolplex” (aka ...
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reviews
Feb 03, 2012
Nancy
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Jenniemae Harrington came to work as a housekeeper for the author's family in its posh Washington, D.C., home in the late 1940s. In this warped household of lies and evasions, a friendship blossoms in an atmosphere of honesty and good humor between Jenniemae and Brooke Newman's father, James, a well-known mathematician who hobnobs with the likes of Albert Einstein.
The author ties the two together through their love of numbers -- James Newman's as a profession and Jenniemae's in her s More...
The author ties the two together through their love of numbers -- James Newman's as a profession and Jenniemae's in her s More...
Jun 15, 2010
Catherine
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Newman’s memoir is an honest, tender portrayal of the exceptional relationship between her egocentric, mathematician father and their levelheaded, illiterate African American housekeeper, Jenniemae Harrington.
James is a genius, moody, at times deeply depressed, philandering husband. Brooke’s mother, Ruth, is emotionally disturbed but fascinatingly complex, struggling to cope with her husband’s infidelity and balancing career and home life, and at least once, demonstrating extreme co More...
James is a genius, moody, at times deeply depressed, philandering husband. Brooke’s mother, Ruth, is emotionally disturbed but fascinatingly complex, struggling to cope with her husband’s infidelity and balancing career and home life, and at least once, demonstrating extreme co More...
May 16, 2010
bookczuk
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Received this from the very fine folks at www.readitforward.com. I live in mathematically minded household; fascination with numbers runs deep. I had high hopes for this memoir from Brooke Newman. Her father was quite an interesting fellow. For those who don't know of his mathematical prowess, he hung around with Einstein, and is the fellow who coined the term googol. Though his daughter is a bit older than I am, we both shared a spot and time in history: the DC of the 50's and 60's.
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Feb 22, 2011
princi
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I started this book yesterday and find it very engaging. I received it as an uncorrected proof, a few months back, but only now got to reading it.
It's about the very unusual relationship between the brilliant white man who is best known to the public as the man who coined the word, 'googol' and his illiterate black housekeeper. It's a memoir, written by the man's daughter.
This was actually a quick-read. Some of the dialogue and scenarios are 'made-up', so to speak; the autho More...
It's about the very unusual relationship between the brilliant white man who is best known to the public as the man who coined the word, 'googol' and his illiterate black housekeeper. It's a memoir, written by the man's daughter.
This was actually a quick-read. Some of the dialogue and scenarios are 'made-up', so to speak; the autho More...
Jul 07, 2010
Anna
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The story is enjoyable and written in a nice, warm way. Brooke also adds what happened outside the house on certain years, as they will explain a bit better how attitudes and opinions changed from the 1940s to 1960s. These changes or attitudes from a perpective of a person living in US wasn't really something they'd think of showing in the history lessons in school (in Europe, they didn't even bother mentioning anything about Black Panthers..).
Jenniemae seems like a wonderful character.. More...
Jenniemae seems like a wonderful character.. More...
Jun 26, 2010
Jennifer
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This was a book I received from ReadItForward. It might not have been one I would have picked up on my own. This is what I like aboutg ReadItForward. Opens me up to new authors and genres. I knew nothing about James (Jim) Newman. This book gave a background of his historical/professional persona, as well as a bird's eye view of his home life. One utterly and completely different than mine. The sections that expanded on Jennimae's life were by far the most captivating parts of the book. Brook
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May 09, 2010
Amy
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Some of the most enjoyable moments of reading come from catching a glimpse of a life or time that is different from our own, Jenniemae & James: A Memoir in Black & White affords the read with both. Depicting life in an unconventional family in Washington DC during the 1950’s and 1960’s, Brooke Newman introduces the reader to her father, James, and their African American housekeeper Jenniemae. While it seems the two would have very little in common, they form a unique friendship that provides th
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May 30, 2010
Ellen
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I enjoyed this book because it reminded me of family members who are now dead. It reflected a time and a culture with which I am familiar. James Newman's family lived much like my Washington, D.C. relatives, who probably knew the Newman family themselves. However, I don't think there's enough in this book of social history or family history to interest most people, unless they are already interested in James Newman. I enjoyed it but I think the appeal of this book is really pretty limited.
Aug 15, 2010
Erica
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I received the book Jenniemae and James from Readitforward.com. I had been looking forward to reading this story. I have always enjoyed reading memoirs and biographies because of the looks they provide into other people's lives (maybe that makes me nosy? haha). Upon picking up this book, I assumed that it was very much about the relationship between Jennimae and James. However, after finishing the book, I feel that I still don't know very much about their relationship. The book was about a littl
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Aug 06, 2011
Melinda
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This was a fascinating firsthand account of a unexpected friendship between two people who appeared to have nothing at all in common. It is also a thoughtful exploration of the day-to-day effects of both family and cultural dysfunction. The characters became important to me as I read their stories, and I was interested in the ways the writer used this recounting of her family's history to sort out its effects on herself and her life.
Jul 06, 2010
Kristin
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The story was intriguing, and I became more "attached" to the unlikely pairing of these characters than I had expected. The author did a fine job of providing a historical "timeline" of world events as they affected the characters. I would like to read an entire book focusing on Jenniemae, if the author writes one. Her relationship with numbers is more "exciting" than James'. I received the book for free through Readitforward.com
May 12, 2011
Meoskop
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Jenniemae and James is more the author's interpretation of the relationship between her father and his housekeeper than a true biography of the two people. It lacks nuance or depth, but it has a good heart. While I believe the love and the relationships are very real, the story is white. Jenniemae never steps out from behind the apron unless it is in a point of crisis that James can help resolve.
Aug 14, 2011
Jessica
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The premise behind this book was promising but the story fell flat. The author was writing about the unusual relationship between her father and their black maid in the 50s and 60s. James was a genius and Jenniemae was strong and intuitive. They helped each other get through the most difficult times in their lives. Sadly the way the author told the story made everything seem boring. Sometimes she was writing from first person, sometimes she was calling her father James. It was very removed and u
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Jan 26, 2010
manatee
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I enjoyed this book with its vivid portrayals and unique, brittle characters. The author's narrative style was honest,but not brutal.
I was fascinated by Jenniemae's dreams about numerals.
I learned that James Newman wrote a 1950's bestseller called The World of Mathematics and that a three digit numbers' bet is a "gig".
I was fascinated by Jenniemae's dreams about numerals.
I learned that James Newman wrote a 1950's bestseller called The World of Mathematics and that a three digit numbers' bet is a "gig".
Apr 15, 2010
Tara
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imeh! it was well written- but the story wasnt enthralling. there were some insights into a pair of mismatched but complex characters- and while the authors note acknowledges that she takes liberty to create conversation when she was either a child or not present- it felt forced
Oct 26, 2010
Andrea
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I liked the relationship between Jenniemae and James it reminded me of the book The Help. And James was amazingly smart and did a lot for our country, but his personal life style was horrible and I don't know how his family survived it.
Apr 18, 2010
Anne
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A wonderful memoir about friendship across racial lines. The story of Jeniemae and James totally captivated me. It is not only a compelling personal narrative but also an important read on the racism that pervaded this country in the 20th century.
Mar 21, 2011
Dorinda
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Really interesting characters, the author's father (THE James Newman--mathematician and anti-bomb rabble rouser)and the household maid, Jenniemae Harrington---and of course the rest of the family as well. Well worth the read.
Jul 15, 2010
Jen
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well this book had potential to be interesting, but the un-ending detail in every single chapter bored me to death. I found myself skipping whole paragraphs, then whole chapeters just to finish!
Jun 02, 2010
Joan
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Unique relationships, significant revelations in the memoir of the daughter of a man who was a great mind, a not so great father and husband. You'll want to collect Jenniemae's sayings.
Jul 25, 2011
Jaylin
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This book was very interesting. It seemed like she didn't have enough material so she filled it with historical facts and senseless dialogue. The dialogue writing was not very good. I enjoyed the book sans the dialogue.
Apr 04, 2010
Bank
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The author has some really wonderful material to write a book , but could not seem to bring it together; a disappointment
Jul 20, 2011
Margo
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THought it was a quick read. Great story and would love to meet the characters.
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Apr 05, 2010
Ruth
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A true story and interesting from the first page. I read it in one night.
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Apr 27, 2010
Michelle
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A very readable book that does a great job capturing 1950s life in Washington DC. Jenniemae and James are both interesting personality and the author shares their life with great warmth. While the book has great stories in it, it doesn't have a steady flow to it.
Oct 11, 2010
Ann
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Another good one. Brooke Newman makes her father and their black maid really come alive. She provides insight into and understanding of their lives and the times in a very lively manner and without excess or moralizing. It leaves you thinking about so many things--race relations, family relationships, the ethics of science, and war and the nuclear arms race.
