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Rating:  -
Ellis Cose makes some salient points pertaining to conundrum that exists in American for Black men, especially young black males.
A few of the topics covered in The Envy of the World: a peek into Cose's own journey through Chicago's public school system, America: the perpetrator behind the stereotypes of the Black man, the de-valuation of intelligence because being smart is not 'keeping it real' or being 'cool', the prison industrial complex & the spiraling out of control incarceration rate of African-American's and how both got its start, the apparent appeal of thuggish behavior and prison stints.
Two antidotes that I believe Cose is trying to prescribe are: education and mentorship; and how both of these can dramatically influence the lives of young black males in today's society. Many have said education is the key, but Cose reveals why many are not choosing that route and states the obvious repercussions of opting for the alternative. There are many examples in the book of mentoring programs and their positive results, but I believe Cose is attempting to relay that it will take more than just a handful of well-placed programs to make a significant difference. In order to affect change, combating the rising prison rate for African-Americans for instance, everyone must be a mentor, even if it is just merely leading by example.
Although much of this is not new, Cose's common sense approach rings resoundingly with the reader and makes it a valuable read. This is my first Ellis Cose book, but it certainly will not be my last.
Rating:  -
I felt that the book was well-written; I thought that it would have gave a solution to the problem not just re-state the facts. If you plant o get this book, save your time; check it out from the library.
Rating: -
Well after reading a chapter I thought I would check it out, and sorry but that is what I should have done, checked it out. It was on point but I was looking for something new, something different. I never found it, but I have read other works by Cose that was thought provoking. So it may be a good read but at a different time.
Rating: -
As a young, black, recent college graduate, I was inspired, enlightened, uplifted, and humbled by reading this book. It helped me to realize some truths and fallacies of my own existence. I am more than aware of what being a black man in America consists of. On the other hand I have shielded myself from certain aspects of life in order to protect my sanity and peace in such an unjust nation. I could relate to just about everything, if not everything this book touched on. Ellis Cose did a marvelous job in both exposing some defects in today's society and inspiring young blacks not to use them as a crutch, but to focus on the many opportunities society prevents us with. This is a great read for anyone.
Rating:  -
The Envy of the World: On being a Black man in America is a well done book that gives the reader a view on what it's like to be black or if you are black helps you to understand some of the issues that you're facing. At the end of the book in "The twelve things you must know" he gives some important points that I think Blacks should pay close attention to. He also makes great points in the "Too cool for School" chapter. He brings out important points in the book, like the fact that the quality of education that Blacks receive is far lower than that of whites. Also, the important distinction of the inner city school and the rich suburban school. There are two different types of education going on here and if some people expect the inner city school kid to compete with what the rich suburban kid has, you're really living in a fantasy world. Sadly, the people who would most benefit from this book, probably won't even read it or probably won't even hear of this book. I tend to agree with most of what Ellis Cose has to say in this book and I think it is a book that every person should read to view the struggles of the Black man. A lot of people say that in essence, you're blaming society. However, if the evidence is supporting the claim, who can deny the facts?
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