A provocative and lively deep dive into the meaning of America's first black presidency; from “one of the most graceful and lucid intellectuals writing on race and politics today†(Vanity Fair). Michael Eric Dyson explores the powerful; surprising way the politics of race have shaped Barack Obama’s identity and groundbreaking presidency. How has President Obama dealt publicly with race—as the national traumas of Tamir Rice; Trayvon Martin; Michael Brown; Eric Garner; Freddie Gray; and Walter Scott have played out during his tenure? What can we learn from Obama's major race speeches about his approach to racial conflict and the black criticism it provokes? Dyson explores whether Obama’s use of his own biracialism as a radiant symbol has been driven by the president’s desire to avoid a painful moral reckoning on race. And he sheds light on identity issues within the black power structure; telling the fascinating story of how Obama has spurned traditional black power brokers; significantly reducing their leverage. President Obama’s own voice—from an Oval Office interview granted to Dyson for this book—along with those of Eric Holder; Al Sharpton; Jesse Jackson; Andrew Young; and Maxine Waters; among others; add unique depth to this profound tour of the nation’s first black presidency.
#1241556 in Books Cambridge University Press 2016-02-24Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.98 x 1.97 x 5.98l; .0 #File Name: 052185329X735 pagesCambridge University Press
Review
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful. This is an excellent introduction to all of the relevant issues involving the ...By JasonThis is an excellent introduction to all of the relevant issues involving the Jewish War. I highly recommend this book. Steve Mason is really enjoyable to read. He does a great job exploding a lot of myths about Josephus as a "Flavian hack". He also has tons of original ideas that are well grounded in solid scholarship and well-reasoned arguments. I feel a lot more comfortable with the details of the war and their relation to Josephus' Jewish War.One of his strengths is that he's pretty familiar with a lot of military history outside of the ancient period; which allows him some interesting and helpful parallels. Also; has some good charts that I'll go back to in the future. Mason even injects some occasional humor to make his points ("Well; I can't find mine. Let's get on with it"; p. 545; still laughing! LOL).I suggest reading Josephus' Jewish War before reading Mason. I think I would have been easily lost if I had started with Mason and moved onto Josephus afterwards.If you are totally unfamiliar with the Josephus and you are going to read this book first; I'd suggest you start by reading (and re-reading) pages 581-589 to have a framework for the Jewish revolt.The only bad thing about this book is that it's a glued binding. I would expect that after paying $100 for a book; I would get sewed binding. Maybe I'll update my review in 20 years to let everyone know how this volume held up (d.v.).
