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The Delusion of Inclusion
Wood Mercer, a single father, works two jobs so that his only child, Ryan, can grow up in the suburbs of Dallas, TX. Wood has a lot of financial stress on him, but he has an everyday challenge that trumps the pile of bills in his mailbox...living in his predominantly all white neighborhood. Wood has been racially profiled numerous times by the police and insulted by neighbors who question why he's living in their community. The incidents - along with emotional baggage from his childhood - has left a bad taste in his mouth. Nevertheless, he deals with it all because he feels the suburban lifestyle (i.e., the schools, lack of crime, etc.) is better for Ryan. Still, the experience has hardened his heart and made him prejudice toward white people. Things get more stressful for Wood after Ryan graduates high school and attends college. Sensing Ryan wants more freedom, Wood agrees to let him live on campus. But Ryan's new found freedom brings out a new set of challenges for Wood. Ryan gets a new girlfriend...a white girl who admits that her father is a bigot. The Delusion of Inclusion takes a look into the world of the black middle-class in a way that's rarely done. In particular, the novel delves into how suburban raised black Millennial's often are more comfortable with associating with non-blacks and have a different perspective on racial issues than their "inner-city" raised parents. Laced with thought provoking truths, biting humor, and yes, the plot twists that bestselling author Brian W. Smith has become known for, this is a novel you will have a hard time putting down once you start reading. It is the kind of novel that will have readers debating long after they finish reading it.
204 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 26, 2017
30 people are currently reading
66 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
March 3, 2017
Title: The Delusion of Inclusion
Author: Brian W. Smith
Publisher: B.W.S.
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:
"The Delusion of Inclusion" by Brian W. Smith
My Viewpoint....
What a interesting story that only this author can give to his readers! I will say by the end of this story I was in tears in how this author presented this novel so well to the reader. This was definitely a excellent read that dealt so well with today's 'prejudices and racial profiling' as we can see that racism still exist in our African American and Caucasian world. The characters [from Wood, Ryan, C- When & Paige] to name a few were all over the top. They were very well developed, portrayed and even humorous as times giving the reader one intriguing, thought provoking as well as a very emotional read that will give you a lots to think about long after the read.
Author: Brian W. Smith
Publisher: B.W.S.
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:
"The Delusion of Inclusion" by Brian W. Smith
My Viewpoint....
What a interesting story that only this author can give to his readers! I will say by the end of this story I was in tears in how this author presented this novel so well to the reader. This was definitely a excellent read that dealt so well with today's 'prejudices and racial profiling' as we can see that racism still exist in our African American and Caucasian world. The characters [from Wood, Ryan, C- When & Paige] to name a few were all over the top. They were very well developed, portrayed and even humorous as times giving the reader one intriguing, thought provoking as well as a very emotional read that will give you a lots to think about long after the read.
August 28, 2018
One of favorite authors that always has a moral to every story he writes
February 3, 2017
WOW WOW WOW! Brian W. Smith has done it again. This was an excellent book about racial profiling, prejudices etc. This story shows how racism still exist. Some are blind to the fact that it does.
I love C-When in this story!
This was a great page turner. Great job Brian W. Smith!
I love C-When in this story!
This was a great page turner. Great job Brian W. Smith!
May 9, 2018
This was a well told story as Wood dealt with racial issues at almost every turn. Storyline held my attention reading what Wood's thoughts were- especially when dealing with son Ryan & Wood's fiancee, Paige. I especially enjoyed the end. Good read
September 3, 2018
One of the best writers I encounter, never expected anything less than five stars
January 4, 2023
WHY????
I enjoyed this book, but I would have preferred a different ending!! I didn't write it, so oh well!!! I've read quite a few of his books and have enjoyed most of them.
I enjoyed this book, but I would have preferred a different ending!! I didn't write it, so oh well!!! I've read quite a few of his books and have enjoyed most of them.
March 20, 2017
Bravo Mr. Smith!
June 20, 2017
The Delusion of Inclusion by Brian W. Smith was, in typical BWS fashion, a page-turner until the very end. His style of touching on hot button issues and morally debatable issues seems to keep his readers coming back for more, at least that is true for my book club members and I.
This book is a definite conversation starter, contains good talking points and is thought provoking. I thought I had all the surprises figured out, and I mostly did, but that last one really threw me for a loop and caught me completely off guard.
Worth the read.
This book is a definite conversation starter, contains good talking points and is thought provoking. I thought I had all the surprises figured out, and I mostly did, but that last one really threw me for a loop and caught me completely off guard.
Worth the read.
March 6, 2017
Wow... wow and wow... I just got done reading this book. It is a must read! By the title it was unassuming. Brian W. Smith hit on all of the provocative motives of the current political climate. As a single parent of African American men I saw myself. I most identified with Paige (Wood's) fiance, only because of the predicament she found living in two worlds. C-When was truly a Godsend and a man of his word as Ryan's God-father. Unless you have been pulled over for DWB you really don't understand the humiliation. The plot and story line was excellent. It was fast paced and suspenseful. I so enjoyed this book and was not ready for it to end. If I was in Woodrow Mercer's shoes I would have felt and did exactly as he did having raising my children in a middle class environment. Excellent body of work.
February 20, 2019
Real life Real Talk
This story hit home for me. The dirty truths about race, prejudice and discrimination happen. Experiences we have filter our understandings of relationships with others some good and bad. I couldn’t put this book down. Read it in less than 2 hours. Outstanding.
This story hit home for me. The dirty truths about race, prejudice and discrimination happen. Experiences we have filter our understandings of relationships with others some good and bad. I couldn’t put this book down. Read it in less than 2 hours. Outstanding.
June 20, 2020
What can I say other than Brian
Smith has written another 5 star read. I felt like I was right there with Wood, Paige, Ryan and Brooke.
Smith has written another 5 star read. I felt like I was right there with Wood, Paige, Ryan and Brooke.
May 11, 2018
The challenge with being passionate about a thing puts you at risk of kidding yourself into believing your stand no matter what, and unattainable expectations on others. Another danger is our experience and history can fool us into thinking it’s correct.
Meet Wood & his son Ryan who are suffering from the same dis-ease; neither understanding how to heal the other person. Enter stage left and we have a family whose false and destructive beliefs are the catalyst for what comes next. In no time at all both families are meshed together like patchwork in a quilt. Not able to live out the meaning of inclusion by growing from their shared struggle.
After finishing this book author Smith left me wondering about what I assumed about this ten letter word; inclusion. It’s about living full lives, its about learning to live together. But then I looked at the book cover and saw “Delusion” and I smiled because we are truly talking PEOPLE and their personal behavior.
Excellent, thought provoking scenario which could have readers in dialogue for hours.
Meet Wood & his son Ryan who are suffering from the same dis-ease; neither understanding how to heal the other person. Enter stage left and we have a family whose false and destructive beliefs are the catalyst for what comes next. In no time at all both families are meshed together like patchwork in a quilt. Not able to live out the meaning of inclusion by growing from their shared struggle.
After finishing this book author Smith left me wondering about what I assumed about this ten letter word; inclusion. It’s about living full lives, its about learning to live together. But then I looked at the book cover and saw “Delusion” and I smiled because we are truly talking PEOPLE and their personal behavior.
Excellent, thought provoking scenario which could have readers in dialogue for hours.
May 19, 2019
It was delusion
I choose a 5 star rating because the book was eye opening to reality of what's going on in our world today with racism. I feel that there was delusion involved in the story by Wood and his son Ryan. Wood had expectations by moving to the suburbs that he would make things better for his son but not really spending the needed time with his son to teach about African American culture. It made Ryan blind to the fact of racism and other things in life, even though Wood talked about racism his son needed more to understand.
I recommend this book to others to read and get insight on racism, interracial couples, and the facts of life in general.
Read, educate, tell other! Read more books by Brian W. Smith.
I choose a 5 star rating because the book was eye opening to reality of what's going on in our world today with racism. I feel that there was delusion involved in the story by Wood and his son Ryan. Wood had expectations by moving to the suburbs that he would make things better for his son but not really spending the needed time with his son to teach about African American culture. It made Ryan blind to the fact of racism and other things in life, even though Wood talked about racism his son needed more to understand.
I recommend this book to others to read and get insight on racism, interracial couples, and the facts of life in general.
Read, educate, tell other! Read more books by Brian W. Smith.
September 22, 2020
I first decided to read this book because of the title. I knew it was going to be about race and I thought it might include a good message. Brian W. Smith did not disappoint. I laughed a lot and I cried at the end. I understand Wood's struggle as I have had my own struggles with racism. In the end, he lost his son, but he gained a daughter and a grandchild. The story was very thought provoking and left me in my feelings for a bit. This story takes place in 2016, and 4 years later, not much has changed. It just makes me think 2 steps forward, 5 steps back. The current generation of teenagers seemed to fall under this delusion of inclusion but at the same time I think. maybe this is the generation that will finally get it right!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 11, 2017
The title is too intriguing not to read this book. In the first 20 pages, BWS has dropped many nuggets of wisdom. One notable that the author is a man after my own heart as he encourages his son to participate in the voting process.
This book took me longer to read than other BWS novels. The topic was too deep not to absorb every word on every page. The author touched on so many aspects of race and still kept his same thought provoking writing style. In order to improve race relations, you must have parties that are willing to have the conversation. This book will definitely lead to discussions on so many levels. Lesson learned: Never mistake tolerance for acceptance!!!
This book took me longer to read than other BWS novels. The topic was too deep not to absorb every word on every page. The author touched on so many aspects of race and still kept his same thought provoking writing style. In order to improve race relations, you must have parties that are willing to have the conversation. This book will definitely lead to discussions on so many levels. Lesson learned: Never mistake tolerance for acceptance!!!
October 13, 2017
Wood is a single father working two jobs to support himself and his 19 year old son, Ryan. He feels like every bad break in life is due to his race, and he uses every opportunity to express it.
Meanwhile, Ryan is involved with a young lady of the opposite race, whose father feels just as adamant about race as Wood.
Fireworks explode when both dads find out about their child's relationship and…the fact that they're having a baby.
I really enjoyed this book and liked the fact that @authorbwsmith incorporated a support system for both Ryan and Brooke. I highly recommend that you check out this 💎💎💎💎💎 and share it with your reading community.
Meanwhile, Ryan is involved with a young lady of the opposite race, whose father feels just as adamant about race as Wood.
Fireworks explode when both dads find out about their child's relationship and…the fact that they're having a baby.
I really enjoyed this book and liked the fact that @authorbwsmith incorporated a support system for both Ryan and Brooke. I highly recommend that you check out this 💎💎💎💎💎 and share it with your reading community.
May 6, 2018
Omg, this brought tears to my eyes!
Never disappointed in the twist and turns. You have no idea where he going to take the plot. It seems the story going in one direction then boom sharp left. Race relations not a topic I thought I would enjoy, and make no mistake I really, really enjoyed this book.
Mr. Smith just keeps gets better and having thought provoking plots adds to lure of being a fan of his work. I believe I have read twelve of his novel and loved each and everyone.
SiStar Tea
5 stars
Never disappointed in the twist and turns. You have no idea where he going to take the plot. It seems the story going in one direction then boom sharp left. Race relations not a topic I thought I would enjoy, and make no mistake I really, really enjoyed this book.
Mr. Smith just keeps gets better and having thought provoking plots adds to lure of being a fan of his work. I believe I have read twelve of his novel and loved each and everyone.
SiStar Tea
5 stars
May 9, 2018
This was an awesome read. I can't explain how refreshing it is to read a book you can relate to with the read not being too predictable or too much like what you have already read.
The author does a great job with including current events and using situations that are somewhat outside of what you personally may be experiencing,,,,but keeping your current struggles in forefront.
Excellent job. Touching and eye opening read.
The author does a great job with including current events and using situations that are somewhat outside of what you personally may be experiencing,,,,but keeping your current struggles in forefront.
Excellent job. Touching and eye opening read.
August 29, 2018
Another Great Brian W. Smith read
This book was phenomenal! There are so many thoughts running through my mind right now having just completed The Delusion of Inclusion. It was a thought-provoking, insightful, timely, and attention-getting look into the issue of race relations from the perspective of black and white individuals. My heart broke for Wood, Ryan, Brooke, and Paige as they worked their way through their own personal racial mindsets. I would love a sequel!
This book was phenomenal! There are so many thoughts running through my mind right now having just completed The Delusion of Inclusion. It was a thought-provoking, insightful, timely, and attention-getting look into the issue of race relations from the perspective of black and white individuals. My heart broke for Wood, Ryan, Brooke, and Paige as they worked their way through their own personal racial mindsets. I would love a sequel!
March 3, 2017
Amazingly thought provoking. No matter what your opinion is on race relations today, you will be compelled to rethink your beliefs.....I know I was! A great story on prejudices and profiling, and I highly recommend this for EVERYONE especially our young people who are really subjected to this Delusion of Inclusion.
Once again, a great job by Mr. Brian W. Smith
August 23, 2019
As always I love the spin Brian W Smith puts on a storyline! This one was very thought provoking, I felt Brooke and Ryan's love and fears. I was shocked to know the relation of Wood to Jessica and William. Racism continues to plague our society which is so unfortunate. I hated what happened to Ryan but I love the way his dad flipped the script. C-When was a ghetto mess! Great story!
May 17, 2017
I started this book last week and was just going to read a chapter or two, daylight came as I was finishing it. This is my 2nd book by Brian WBrian W. Smith and I plan on reading the rest of his work. This book was inspired by a night he was traveling and was pulled over by the police in a southern state during a time when nightly news reported African American men being shot by Officers of the law daily. The book is the story of a single parent father trying to raise is college age son in a world that often not as color blind as people would like to think. The story grabbed my attention and flowed with other topics ( relevant today) intertwined.
This Author loves Book Clubs and has included ten questions to help with discussions at the end of the book. I have used some of his questions and added my own to engage in engaging conversations with my peers and my family. I truly believe without discussions and empathy for a fellow person, no answers will lead to no solutions.
Please grab this book , I have it in paperback but its also on Kindle !! Also, don't forget to let me know that you enjoyed it as much as I did and leave a review !!!
This Author loves Book Clubs and has included ten questions to help with discussions at the end of the book. I have used some of his questions and added my own to engage in engaging conversations with my peers and my family. I truly believe without discussions and empathy for a fellow person, no answers will lead to no solutions.
Please grab this book , I have it in paperback but its also on Kindle !! Also, don't forget to let me know that you enjoyed it as much as I did and leave a review !!!
November 14, 2018
THE MISCONCEPTION OF ACCEPTANCE
This book was the best I've read in a long time. It was real, true, and some parts even funny. Today's generation has so much to deal with and it's hard.
This book was the best I've read in a long time. It was real, true, and some parts even funny. Today's generation has so much to deal with and it's hard.
October 28, 2020
I hate I waited this long to read this book! BWS has crafted yet another great page turner. He has a unique way of bringing difficult topics to the forefront and adding his infamous plot twists. The ending was not what I expected and left me reeling.
April 17, 2021
I can understand the way Wood felt because of what happened to him when he was a teen. I felt he was a little too harsh on all white people instead of just the people who did him wrong. As always, love every one of Brian Williams books that I have read so far!
October 6, 2017
Great Read
I loved the book. Lots of plot twists. Didn't like the ending although I'm glad it wasn't predictable. Recommend it.
I loved the book. Lots of plot twists. Didn't like the ending although I'm glad it wasn't predictable. Recommend it.
January 8, 2018
this was a sad but really touching story, it makes you think about a lot of issues that are still happening to this day. It touching and a really good page turner.
May 5, 2018
Good quick read
Mr.Smith never disappoints. This was a thought provoking read especially in this day and age. C-When was a great friend! I'd love to read a book about him.
Mr.Smith never disappoints. This was a thought provoking read especially in this day and age. C-When was a great friend! I'd love to read a book about him.
September 24, 2020
If you have read several books by this author then you already know that there's going to be a cliffhanger. Smith's books deals with real life issue and he nailed this book.
December 31, 2023
Whoa...😮
There was a lot packed in such a short book that really addressed racism on both sides. Though hard to read at times, I thoroughly enjoyed reading it...
There was a lot packed in such a short book that really addressed racism on both sides. Though hard to read at times, I thoroughly enjoyed reading it...
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews