Mirror to America

September 5, 2005
At 90, Franklin recalls his extraordinary life. Born in the Oklahoma territory in 1915 and descended from slaves, he studied at Harvard, taught at some of the nation's most prestigious universities, served on committees for FDR and Bill Clinton, published seminal histories of blacks in America and received the Presidential Medal of Freedom for his work in civil rights. Franklin strove to evade the draft in WWII after being treated shamefully by the draft board when he tried to enlist, and did research for Thurgood Marshall in Brown
v. Board of Education
. Every aspect of Franklin's life has been influenced by the institutionalized racism he's experienced since he was six, when he was forced off a train for sitting in a car reserved for whites. Yet Franklin relates this all in dry, flat prose steeped in minutiae. The larger aspects of his life are glossed over; missing entirely is the emotional response to the ubiquitous racism. Nor does Franklin contextualize his experiences (e.g., in 1945, he refused to move to the back of the bus, but he fails to juxtapose this event with the Rosa Parks incident 10 years later). This disappointing autobiography fails to depict Franklin as the trailblazing iconoclast he was and is. Photos.

January 2, 2006
Franklin's steady, unwavering voice, touched with a taste of gravel and the slightest Southern drawl, anchors his reading of his autobiography, which takes him from an impoverished childhood to a Harvard Ph.D. and a career as a professor of history and tireless advocate for African-American issues. Franklin details his participation in landmark civil rights efforts like Brown
v. Board of Education
and the Montgomery, Ala., march of 1965. The 90-year-old Franklin reads with a leisurely tone, sounding less like the academic he is and more like an engaging, hospitable storyteller. If at times he makes the book sound like a laundry list of book reviews, job titles and the like, Franklin does a fine job of moving the story along, his sonorous tones surprisingly soothing. Occasionally Franklin hesitates or stumbles over words, but this lack of professional polish only adds to the luster of his reading, which possesses a genuineness and vigor. Simultaneous release with the FSG hardcover (Reviews, Sept. 5).

In this autobiography of one of the most celebrated, respected African-Americans of the twentieth century, the 90-year-old scholar, historian, and statesman relates the history of racism in black America. As Franklin says, "I look history straight in the eye, and tell it like it is." In a well-modulated, controlled, conversational voice, he, indeed, "tells it like it is" and was, about the early years of cruel discrimination, Civil Rights battles, and his struggles to achieve success in the academic community. Perhaps the telling is too controlled, with only tinges of the pain and anger he suffered and the joy of his triumphs. Nevertheless, this is an important document, a fascinating chronicle of an amazing life. M.T.B. (c) AudioFile 2006, Portland, Maine

March 15, 2006
True to its title, "Mirror to America" simultaneously tells the compelling life story of Franklin and details nearly nine decades of American history. The author, a famed historian who played a significant role in the "Brown" v. "Board of Education" case, speaks candidly and thoroughly about his life experiences. He grew up in Oklahoma during segregation and went on to earn a degree from Fisk University and a Ph.D. in history from Harvard, despite many horrifying and outrageous instances of discrimination. Throughout his life -s work, to define and disseminate African American history, Franklin maintained a deep love and respect for his family. Awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1995 by President Clinton, Franklin has earned a place in American history because of his passion for that very subject. His reading is authentic and flows well most of the time; his distinctive voice and wonderful diction enhance the overall fine quality of the audio production. Recommended and suitable for all school and public libraries." -Nicole A. Cooke, Montclair State Univ. Lib., NJ"

Copyright 2006 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.