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The Legacy of Nobody Smith
Dr. Tony Evans wrote the foreword for this recently released novel based upon the life of his uncle Rev. James "Smitty" Smith, a man of influence during Evans' formative years. It's an inspirational story that sweeps you away and leaves you thinking once you finish the book. Enter to win one of five paperback copies to be given away.
During the Great Depression six-year-old Smitty is a hard working shoeshine boy despite his crippled arm. Everyone in the Smith family works together so he drops his coins into the family coffee can labeled Rent. They might be money poor, but they're rich with love and laughter. Though his parents try Smitty can't be protected from the ugliness - the cruel prejudice that waits outside the boundaries of their Baltimore neighborhood named Sandtown.
As a teenager Smitty's world crumbles when he learns the heartbreaking truths of his unwanted birth and mixed-up family tree. Convinced he's a nobody he runs away from home and begins his search for significance. It takes nearly dying and the unwanted friendship of a white man for Smitty to discover the somebody he was born to be.
Rich with history and humor, The Legacy of Nobody Smith invites readers to witness the life of an insignificant nobody discovering he's actually the cherished child of a loving God.
Book profits to benefit The Urban Alternative and The Helping Up Mission of Baltimore
During the Great Depression six-year-old Smitty is a hard working shoeshine boy despite his crippled arm. Everyone in the Smith family works together so he drops his coins into the family coffee can labeled Rent. They might be money poor, but they're rich with love and laughter. Though his parents try Smitty can't be protected from the ugliness - the cruel prejudice that waits outside the boundaries of their Baltimore neighborhood named Sandtown.
As a teenager Smitty's world crumbles when he learns the heartbreaking truths of his unwanted birth and mixed-up family tree. Convinced he's a nobody he runs away from home and begins his search for significance. It takes nearly dying and the unwanted friendship of a white man for Smitty to discover the somebody he was born to be.
Rich with history and humor, The Legacy of Nobody Smith invites readers to witness the life of an insignificant nobody discovering he's actually the cherished child of a loving God.
Book profits to benefit The Urban Alternative and The Helping Up Mission of Baltimore
306 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 2016
21 people are currently reading
484 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
February 14, 2017
So glad I had the chance to read this story! While the main character certainly faces many difficulties, the book is truly filled with a sense of hope throughout.
Part of what made it interesting to read was the intimate view of a black family living in Batimore City in the 1930's, 1940's, and 1950's. Not the general view we get of that era in history books, but the day in, day out details of just what it was like for them. But, following the main character for many decades all the way through to his death, we see change and growth in the character as well as in the culture.
In addition, readers are challenged to examine their own lives as a result of the book and are encouraged to consider how each person has purpose and how each person's life likely impacts so many others, whether or not he or she realizes it.
Overall, a great read!
Part of what made it interesting to read was the intimate view of a black family living in Batimore City in the 1930's, 1940's, and 1950's. Not the general view we get of that era in history books, but the day in, day out details of just what it was like for them. But, following the main character for many decades all the way through to his death, we see change and growth in the character as well as in the culture.
In addition, readers are challenged to examine their own lives as a result of the book and are encouraged to consider how each person has purpose and how each person's life likely impacts so many others, whether or not he or she realizes it.
Overall, a great read!
February 22, 2021
This book captures the tale of a life beautifully.
It begins when Smitty is six years old, and the first few chapters that follow him growing up capture the voice and perspective of a young boy just discovering the world perfectly. You really feel like you’re in a six, then eight, then ten-year-old boy’s head and seeing things through his eyes. There’s so many little moments that capture bubbles of time—the author has a way of describing small, simple moments in a vivid manner that captures their essence.
The exploration of racism and how one black man handled it throughout his life is interesting and insightful. It begins in the 30s, when racism was pretty much the cultural norm, and ends in the early 2000s, when huge steps have been taking toward moving away from racism—and yet, the impact of it is felt throughout all of Smitty’s life, especially in his learning how to relate to white people after so many years of segregation.
The ending is beautiful—really capturing the impact and beauty of one life.
It begins when Smitty is six years old, and the first few chapters that follow him growing up capture the voice and perspective of a young boy just discovering the world perfectly. You really feel like you’re in a six, then eight, then ten-year-old boy’s head and seeing things through his eyes. There’s so many little moments that capture bubbles of time—the author has a way of describing small, simple moments in a vivid manner that captures their essence.
The exploration of racism and how one black man handled it throughout his life is interesting and insightful. It begins in the 30s, when racism was pretty much the cultural norm, and ends in the early 2000s, when huge steps have been taking toward moving away from racism—and yet, the impact of it is felt throughout all of Smitty’s life, especially in his learning how to relate to white people after so many years of segregation.
The ending is beautiful—really capturing the impact and beauty of one life.
January 24, 2018
Beautiful
This is a heartwarming tale...sort of a coming of age story, but not told chronologically. It weaves history and Christianity, family and relationships, hardships and determination and so much more into this masterpiece of one man's life. This book was so vivid with description, I was transported back in time to the world of segregation, Sundays in church all day, scraping by with coins yet always having a fed belly. The marble steps resignated with me - I never lived in Baltimore, but we had the same steps in Philadelphia. Loved the story of the sheep; God always gives us ways to relate to His words. I was just amazed at how much Smitty did with and in his life. Our forefathers started with so much less and made and became so much more. The hard work, values, teachings they passed down seems to have lost something with each generation. I'm off subject - excellent read that did much for my soul. Please read.
This is a heartwarming tale...sort of a coming of age story, but not told chronologically. It weaves history and Christianity, family and relationships, hardships and determination and so much more into this masterpiece of one man's life. This book was so vivid with description, I was transported back in time to the world of segregation, Sundays in church all day, scraping by with coins yet always having a fed belly. The marble steps resignated with me - I never lived in Baltimore, but we had the same steps in Philadelphia. Loved the story of the sheep; God always gives us ways to relate to His words. I was just amazed at how much Smitty did with and in his life. Our forefathers started with so much less and made and became so much more. The hard work, values, teachings they passed down seems to have lost something with each generation. I'm off subject - excellent read that did much for my soul. Please read.
August 19, 2018
Interesting story by a black man growing up poor in West Baltimore. I never thought of it, but he points out that he lived his whole life in the black community and never interacted with whites in a good way (only some ugly racist taunting) until he was a much older man and a white preacher befriended him. The writing seemed like it was by an amateur, which I think it was - the daughter of his white preacher friend. Yet the two stories about the afterlife were memorable: one when he had a fever and his dead father gave him medicine to heal him, and then when he actually did die and what he saw in heaven. The book also included some vignettes about Boy Scout camp and other childhood memories.
October 27, 2019
Everybody is somebody
This reminded me of the south. Family raised families kids. You were loved and never knew the difference. But it also described the strong bond of family traditions. Of friendship in an unlikely friend. But through it all God is the center or nucleus. I loved how she described being welcomed into heaven and the scroll listing all whose lives were touched, in prayer, word of deed. Even at the stoplight. Well done my good and faithful servant.
This reminded me of the south. Family raised families kids. You were loved and never knew the difference. But it also described the strong bond of family traditions. Of friendship in an unlikely friend. But through it all God is the center or nucleus. I loved how she described being welcomed into heaven and the scroll listing all whose lives were touched, in prayer, word of deed. Even at the stoplight. Well done my good and faithful servant.
February 26, 2017
The Legacy of Nobody Smith is a nonfiction masterpiece! I felt like I was living life through Smitty's experiences. This is a book for those who want to read about the past so that they can change our country's future. The presence of God is in this book. A must-read for all!
August 13, 2018
This is a delightful book! The author draws you into the true story until you love Smitty and want to defend him against the cruel world. One moment you will be chuckling and the next sniffling as you cheer him on to greatness.
July 22, 2018
Great Reading Material
This book was inspirational,, yet entertaining! I have heard Dr. Tony Evans preach and teach and I know, if he was influenced by his uncle, his uncle had to have been great also!
This book was inspirational,, yet entertaining! I have heard Dr. Tony Evans preach and teach and I know, if he was influenced by his uncle, his uncle had to have been great also!
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September 18, 2021Interesting and Engaging
This story is masterfully woven together. Interesting and engaging throughout. I stepped into someone else's shoes and felt their emotions as well as identified with their experiences. I laughed and cried and kept turning pages.
This story is masterfully woven together. Interesting and engaging throughout. I stepped into someone else's shoes and felt their emotions as well as identified with their experiences. I laughed and cried and kept turning pages.
May 19, 2022
What a beautiful tribute to an amazing man who wanted his story to be told before he died. This book captured my attention from the start and was an interesting read through the very last page.
October 14, 2020
You will love Smitty!
This is an excellent book! Follow Smitty’s life-long journey from the 1930’s to the new millennium where religion, racism and complicated family matters are ever-evolving. As the description reads, you will “...witness the life of an insignificant nobody discovering he’s actually the cherished child of a loving God.” Read it, you will learn something new and hopefully love it as much as I did!
This is an excellent book! Follow Smitty’s life-long journey from the 1930’s to the new millennium where religion, racism and complicated family matters are ever-evolving. As the description reads, you will “...witness the life of an insignificant nobody discovering he’s actually the cherished child of a loving God.” Read it, you will learn something new and hopefully love it as much as I did!
October 22, 2020
Great book! Really enjoyed it.
October 5, 2020
Most moving book I’ve read
I found a comment on Facebook that this book could be downloaded for free. I usually don’t take the time to read. Once I started, I couldn’t put it down. I felt like I was in the room with Smitty. In this day of trying times, everyone should read it.
I found a comment on Facebook that this book could be downloaded for free. I usually don’t take the time to read. Once I started, I couldn’t put it down. I felt like I was in the room with Smitty. In this day of trying times, everyone should read it.
May 23, 2016
Wow what can I say? I devoured this book in two days! It is extremely well written memoir/biography/historical book! I learned so many fascinating things about the town of Baltimore during the 1930's through today. As an adoptive child and parent I was memorized by the theme of adoption as the main character searches for his significance. While I always grieve at what life was like for many "blacks or Negros" after the civil war but really before civil rights really became a powerful force, this book really gives you a look into what life was really like for those of "color", and yet unlike other books I have recently read like the "Kitchen House" where it doesn't end with a sense of hope, this book felt like a source of encouragement and hope despite racial tension felt even today. I felt like I knew the characters intimately and was moved to emotion at the end because of the connection I had made with them. I would recommend this book for anyone in an interest in American history, a love of Baltimore City, or anybody who has ever searched for their identity or significance in this life.
August 15, 2016
This a very good book with a wonderful story. It is one of those can't put it down until you finish kind of books. The book walks the reader through race relations in the 20th century through the eyes of an African American in Baltimore, Maryland. You step inside the thoughts and feelings of Smitty, the main character from childhood to old age. You glimpse how different life was for black families in the United States. This book is also a testament to the power a single individual can make in the life of one person and most importantly, the life-changing power of a life dedicated to Jesus Christ. The writing style flows easily and engages the reader. I recommend this book as a must read and it would be great for book clubs as the author includes discussion questions at the end of the book.
May 16, 2016
My heart stopped at this line in the book, "I became a nobody when I was fifteen years old." And then I wanted to cry when Smitty's daddy said, "Outside scars heal, it's the inside ones I worry about." This story ripped me to shreds and then put me back together again piece by piece. It is so full of the love that Christ has for us that you will walk away from this book a changed person. I wish we all had a Smitty and Charlie in our lives, those true soldiers living for God and loving people. And showing us that we are somebody in the sight of God.
This is an amazing book. I cried so many tears, not because it was sad, but because of the real love that radiated off the pages and leaped into my heart to challenge me to be a better Christian.
This is an amazing book. I cried so many tears, not because it was sad, but because of the real love that radiated off the pages and leaped into my heart to challenge me to be a better Christian.
November 23, 2016
I won this book from Goodreads.
It is a truly inspiring story of a black man born into grinding poverty in Baltimore in the 1930's . It takes him from his happy childhood in a poor but deeply religious family to his utter desolation when at the age of 15, he finds out that the man he thought was his father isn't. How he reacts to this life changing information and how the rest of his life plays out makes for an engrossing story. Because it is based on a true story with a lot of historical and race relations references, I found it a very interesting read.
It is a truly inspiring story of a black man born into grinding poverty in Baltimore in the 1930's . It takes him from his happy childhood in a poor but deeply religious family to his utter desolation when at the age of 15, he finds out that the man he thought was his father isn't. How he reacts to this life changing information and how the rest of his life plays out makes for an engrossing story. Because it is based on a true story with a lot of historical and race relations references, I found it a very interesting read.
June 10, 2016
A delightful read. I think I would have enjoyed it more if it had been a straight bio rather than a fictionalized account, but assuming the gist of it and the main events were factual, it's still a great story.
July 12, 2017
Very well written. Great character development; I feel like I know them all very well. Honestly, telling this story as a novel based on a true story surprised me, but I now believe it was the ideal approach - mostly because the author had personal knowledge of portions of the story, and because the author is such a skilled storyteller. The poignant story needed to be told, and I hope everyone who reads this review will read it. I believe you'll be glad thou did. Very well done, Leslie Basil Payne!
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews