Dickerson, Debra J. An American Story ISBN 13: 9780385720281

An American Story - Softcover

9780385720281: An American Story
View all copies of this ISBN edition:
 
 
A profoundly courageous and insightful memoir, An American Story documents the events that have shaped journalist Debra Dickerson's conscience.

The daughter of former sharecroppers, Dickerson never imagined she would emerge from her squalid St. Louis neighborhood to become an acclaimed journalist with a Harvard Law degree. A constant reader and a straight-A student, nevertheless Dickerson's lack of confidence kept her from accepting the many colleges offers she received. Instead she enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, quickly rising through the ranks. In spite of her success, she recognized within herself deep-seated conflict at being a working class black woman living in a white man's world. Her path to self-acceptance is at the heart of this refreshing narrative.

"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.

Review:
Debra Dickerson's fiercely honest account of her journey from the black working class to the ivied halls of Harvard Law School couldn't be more aptly titled. What's more American than someone who reaches a political turning point as a result of buying a lousy car? At the time, Dickerson was a conservative supporter of Ronald Reagan who believed her north St. Louis neighbors were poor and jobless because of their personal failings--and of course, it wasn't really her lemon of a Renault Alliance that changed her mind. But after years of struggling to get an education while her brother Bobby threw away every opportunity, after finding an apparent refuge in the Air Force (just as her bitter, violent father had during World War II in the Marines), Dickerson was appalled that "a blameless person in uniform" was expected, by everyone from her superior officers to the lawyers she tried to hire to help her, to make payments on a car that wouldn't run. "That experience made it crystal clear to me whose side society was on," she writes. Without abandoning her belief in personal responsibility, Dickerson began to reassess her contempt for people like her brother, who had made mistakes but had never been given any margin for error. Her reconciliation with Bobby is the most moving moment in a book notable for its bruising candor on the uncomfortable subjects of race and class, as well as its complete lack of political and cultural platitudes. --Wendy Smith
From the Publisher:
"[Dickerson] stirs the cauldron with a no-holds barred look at her humble Midwestern beginnings, scrappy clan, career strivings and personal miscues and victories. Rarely does a memoir strip away so much emotional armor to expose so many defects as well as strengths... If Dickerson is ruthless in her appraisal of others, she is twice as hard on her own shortcomings, especially the views about poor and lower-working-class blacks trapped in poverty and despair she held as a young woman... This tough, sassy memoir dramatically underscores the importance of hope, family and truth in one person's quest to reach and sustain her version of the American dream."
-- Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.

  • PublisherAnchor
  • Publication date2001
  • ISBN 10 0385720289
  • ISBN 13 9780385720281
  • BindingPaperback
  • Edition number1
  • Number of pages285
  • Rating

Other Popular Editions of the Same Title

9780375420696: An American Story

Featured Edition

ISBN 10:  ISBN 13:  9780375420696
Publisher: Pantheon, 2000
Hardcover

  • 9780385728621: An American Story

    Panthe..., 2000
    Softcover

Top Search Results from the AbeBooks Marketplace

Stock Image

Dickerson, Debra J.
Published by Anchor (2001)
ISBN 10: 0385720289 ISBN 13: 9780385720281
New Paperback Quantity: 1
Seller:
GoldenWavesOfBooks
(Fayetteville, TX, U.S.A.)

Book Description Paperback. Condition: new. New. Fast Shipping and good customer service. Seller Inventory # Holz_New_0385720289

More information about this seller | Contact seller

Buy New
US$ 57.99
Convert currency

Add to Basket

Shipping: US$ 4.00
Within U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds
Stock Image

Dickerson, Debra J.
Published by Anchor (2001)
ISBN 10: 0385720289 ISBN 13: 9780385720281
New Paperback Quantity: 1
Seller:
GoldBooks
(Austin, TX, U.S.A.)

Book Description Paperback. Condition: new. New Copy. Customer Service Guaranteed. Seller Inventory # think0385720289

More information about this seller | Contact seller

Buy New
US$ 59.47
Convert currency

Add to Basket

Shipping: US$ 4.25
Within U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds
Stock Image

Dickerson, Debra J.
Published by Anchor (2001)
ISBN 10: 0385720289 ISBN 13: 9780385720281
New Paperback Quantity: 1
Seller:
Wizard Books
(Long Beach, CA, U.S.A.)

Book Description Paperback. Condition: new. New. Seller Inventory # Wizard0385720289

More information about this seller | Contact seller

Buy New
US$ 62.84
Convert currency

Add to Basket

Shipping: US$ 3.50
Within U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds
Stock Image

Dickerson, Debra J.
Published by Anchor (2001)
ISBN 10: 0385720289 ISBN 13: 9780385720281
New Paperback Quantity: 2
Seller:
Save With Sam
(North Miami, FL, U.S.A.)

Book Description Paperback. Condition: New. Brand New!. Seller Inventory # VIB0385720289

More information about this seller | Contact seller

Buy New
US$ 70.36
Convert currency

Add to Basket

Shipping: FREE
Within U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds
Stock Image

Dickerson, Debra J.
Published by Anchor (2001)
ISBN 10: 0385720289 ISBN 13: 9780385720281
New Softcover Quantity: 1
Seller:
BennettBooksLtd
(LOS ANGELES, CA, U.S.A.)

Book Description Condition: New. New. In shrink wrap. Looks like an interesting title! 0.58. Seller Inventory # Q-0385720289

More information about this seller | Contact seller

Buy New
US$ 94.41
Convert currency

Add to Basket

Shipping: US$ 4.13
Within U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds