Laura read and liked Tim George's review of My Grandfather's Son: A Memoir:

"This book showed up in the mail from a book club I belong to. I didn't order it but decided why not give it a read. Of course I watched some of the senate hearings when Justice Thomas was nominated for the bench. And, in shameful honesty, I also got ...more This book showed up in the mail from a book club I belong to. I didn't order it but decided why not give it a read. Of course I watched some of the senate hearings when Justice Thomas was nominated for the bench. And, in shameful honesty, I also got caught up in the soap opera of Anita Hill's testimony and Justice Thomas' response. Beyond that I admit I knew nothing about the man.

As a general rule I do not read movie reviews before going to the movies. Why should I let someone else decide for me whether I will like something based on their biases? The same can be said for My Grandfather's Son. Having read My Grandfather's Son before seeing any reviews was invaluable. I was able to meet a man I did not know. A man who was willing to reveal all the hidden nooks and crannies of his life. This is what autobiography should be. Thomas makes no effort to gloss over or ignore his own failures in life. Nor does he wallow in them. Instead, he simply tells his life story. Few of us would be nearly so willing to lay our soul on the table for others to dissect. I guess once one has endured that circus called confirmation, nothing else can seem so bad.

I now feel like I know Clarence Thomas. He is a man aware of his failings and humbled by his successes. Justice Thomas you are indeed your grandfather's son. (less) "

Laura read and liked Jenn's review of My Grandfather's Son: A Memoir:

"I was in college when the Senate confirmation hearings for the nomination of Clarence Thomas were taking place. It was the first time that I had become really interested in any current or political event. I became so engulfed in what to me was the ...more I was in college when the Senate confirmation hearings for the nomination of Clarence Thomas were taking place. It was the first time that I had become really interested in any current or political event. I became so engulfed in what to me was the apparent injustice with which he was being treated; I couldn't stop watching the hearing. I cut class for a few days so that I could participate as a spectator.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading Thomas’ personal account of his life. The progression and refining which he achieved through the various stages of his life was remarkable.

While thinking back on his confirmation hearings and through reading his memoir my mind often recalled a scripture found in Malachi 3:3. "And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness." Clarence Thomas became who he is today the same way that we all do - through enduring the heat of the Refiner's fire and trusting that the Refiner has a grand purpose for us through the events that life offers.

One of my favorite quotes from the book is when Thomas shares his response to Pres. Bush’s introduction of him at the public swearing in ceremony: "`There have been many difficult days as we all went through the confirmation battle. But on this sunny day in October, at the White House, there is joy. Joy in the morning.’ I was alluding to Psalm 30, which had brought me much comfort in recent weeks and from which a friend had suggested that I quote that day: I will praise you, LORD, for you have rescued me. You refused to let my enemies triumph over me...Weeping may go on all night, but joy comes with the morning. I had forgotten that it was possible to know such joy. Thanks to God's direct intervention, I had risen phoenixlike from the ashes of self-pity and despair…”


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Laura read and liked Jennifer's review of My Grandfather's Son: A Memoir:

"I really enjoyed this book. If someone had asked me a month ago if I would like to read Thomas' autobiography, I would have looked at them like they were crazy! :)

But, I saw him interviewed recently on EWTN by Raymond Arroyo and I was s...more I really enjoyed this book. If someone had asked me a month ago if I would like to read Thomas' autobiography, I would have looked at them like they were crazy! :)

But, I saw him interviewed recently on EWTN by Raymond Arroyo and I was stunned by how humble and self-effacing this Supreme Court justice was. In 1991, when he was confirmed to the SC, I was newly married and politically naive. I pretty much thought Anita Hill was a poor victim to this brutal man...just what the media wanted me to believe.

The focus of this lovely book is Thomas' love and gratitude towards his grandparents who raised him and ultimately made him the man he is today. I love good anecodotal stories and this one is full of them. Thomas' childhood from his birth, to moving in (at age 6) with his grandparents carrying all his belongings in a paper grocery sack, to attending Yale Law School, all these events are told with an eye to detail and with a brutal honesty. He does talk A LOT about the challenges of his race and how it has affected his life and that of his family. The extra challenges he faced because of the color of his skin were real yet he was raised by his grandfather to accept the challenges and work hard to overcome them, if possible.

Thomas doesn't pussy-foot around with his opinions but always comes across as being as fair and honest as he can in his opinions. You can tell from his writing that he is a devout Catholic Christian--no calumny going on here. But, he does tell you how disappointed he is in some government officials who did not keep their word--he names them--I like that kind of honesty.

Ultimately, I am very grateful to have a man like Clarence Thomas sitting on our country's highest court--Enough said--go read it!(less) "