Raised by hard-working, honest people, Clarence Thomas is truly an honor to the memory of his grandparents.

If Clarence Thomas were a political liberal, his story would be a movie, his name would be on elementary schools, and this book would be read in college courses. He would be considered an American hero. But, he is a political conservative and a faithful Catholic, so, that is not the case. For much of America, he is a villain. For many conservatives, he is a paragon of right-thinking. His biography is gripping. Born dirt poor in coastal Georgia, his first language being Geechee (Gullah), his family life was a shambles, and prospects did not look good for a Black boy in the Jim Crow South. But, his maternal grandfather, whom he called "Daddy," took him in, sent him to private Catholic schools, gave him discipline, and set him on the course of his life. It's a story of grit, determination, and overcoming reminiscent of Ben Franklin's or Fred Douglass's, and a very touching memoir. My only regret is it ends with his taking his seat on the Court. The whole Anita Hill business? His side of the story makes sense to me, though I could see how and why others would not believe the story one bit. Maybe some things were done and said that were interpreted differently, and exploited later. But, a good memoir. ( )

An amazing story that will leave you angry, sad and most of all a deep sense of pride and patriotism about this country. Justice Thomas is a truly remarkable American. ( )

Remarkably moving and honest. Refreshingly different from the usual political memoir.

During the Kavanagh confirmation hearings, life-GOP-ers in my circle, just rolled their eyes and said "it's always like that." During the ACB nomination (during which such allegations were nonexistent, as far as I could tell) I got curious. And picked this one up first because other stories of his (re: racism) had been referenced in some previous books I had perused in the last 24 ish months.

I appreciated his view of the Reagan administration(couldn't help thinking of Carson). As well as his semi-insider view of the Catholic Church.

I have reached the conclusion that there is a benefit to having both autobiographies and biographies. You can't separate his point of view(which is valuable) from the emotions he feels (which inform his view) from facts(which are also valuable) in an autobiography. Yet, to know the whole man, these are crucial. But you also need the emotionless view of an outsider.

So I can't say what happened or didn't happen. Only two people know that.


No star rating given, in keeping with my resolve to stop rating autobiographies.