Der Mann, der überlebte

by Lawrence Elliott

Das Leben des Wissenschaftlers und Künstlers George W. Carver, der vor allem aber ein Kämpfer für die Würde und Rechte der Afroamerikaner war, wird hier eindrücklich nacherzählt. Eine bewegende Lebensgeschichte und ein Klassiker, der schon viele Menschen berührt hat. Jetzt sprachlich überarbeitet.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, History

221 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1966

Reviews

[Selina · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolute must read for all!! THE very best biography I have ever read. George Washington Carver, The Man Who Overcame would be better named George Washington Carver, The Man. A truly amazing story of a young black man who escapes the life of post slavery in the south and searches for what his heart desires, not what will make him truly free - even though his wish does both - an education. When he finally receives it, he does nothing with it but serve society to his dying day. I keep a book of favorite quotes and it will be filled with this man's words. I urge everyone to read this book and maybe we can change our hearts, minds and spirits by becoming a little more like the man who overcame.

[Karen Hogan · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the best biographies I have ever read. George w. Carver, was the rarest of men. He was a scientist who lived only to help his fellow man, and did not care for fortune or fame. And he gave God all the credit for all his discoveries and successes. I was born in Ozark, Alabama, and very near the town of Enterprise, Alabama mentioned in this biography. I cried at the end of the book, when his life came to an end. What a truly remarkable human being he was.

[Tiago Torre · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most fascinating life stories I have ever come across. Touching and a powerful example of what it means to define yourself according to a greater purpose, instead of the circumstances you may find yourself in.
Highly recommended!

[April Carpenter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so excited and impressed with this book that I talked about it to everybody. This man was such a genius and a most humble person. He was inspired to develop so many things from plants that are such a basic to our way of life these days. I was just amazed at all that he had done and was capable of. It is such an inspiring read for everyone.

[Audra Gayle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the BEST biography on George Washington Carver. I recently bought a copy on eBay (it's out of print) and so glad that I did. If you're needing a read to inspire and challenge you, pick up this book. Carver faced so many challenges in his lifetime, but they did not stop him from achieving his God given purpose. When I need a reminder of patience and endurance, this is the biography that I pick up.

[LoveAGoodBook · Rating 5 out of 5]

L
This has racial slurs, because that’s what people actually said, so it’s true to life. This is one of the best written, as well as inspirational, books I’ve ever read. It really blew me away. Everyone should read it!

[CS Pine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful biography!! The world needs more George Carvers. I'm not referring to his genius, although that is overwhelmingly impressive, but to his amazing heart and spirit. Learning about him and his strength of character, humility, and love for God and his fellow man is truly inspiring.

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

An amazing story about an incredible man who never gave up on his dream to learn and help his people. The writing got a bit too sentimental to me, but the overall story is amazing.

[Mary Kestner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another of my "mentors", George's life has helped shape mine.

[Martin · Rating 1 out of 5]

Lawrence Elliotts George Washington Carver: The Man Who Overcame ist keine Biografie im ernsthaften Sinne, sondern eine moralinsaure Hagiografie. Sie benutzt das Leben Carvers, um zwei Dinge gleichzeitig zu bedienen: eine unbestreitbar legitime Sache – die Verurteilung der Sklaverei und die Hoffnung auf Versöhnung – und ein deutlich fragwürdigeres Narrativ, nämlich das altbekannte amerikanische Selbsthilfe-Märchen vom Aufstieg allein durch Charakterstärke.

Das Problem ist nicht, dass Elliott Carver bewundert. Das Problem ist, dass er ihn nicht mehr als historischen Menschen behandelt. Carver wird zur Projektionsfläche, zur didaktischen Figur, deren Leben so lange geglättet und zugespitzt wird, bis es in eine saubere Erzählung passt: Widrigkeiten, innere Reinheit, moralischer Triumph. Alles, was diesem Schema widerspricht, wird entweder ausgeblendet oder zurechtgebogen.

Dabei wäre die tatsächliche Biografie interessant genug. Carver kam aus extrem prekären Verhältnissen, geprägt von den realen Nachwirkungen der Sklaverei. Dass er dennoch eine Position erreichte, in der er praktisch arbeitete und Farmer beraten konnte, ist bemerkenswert – gerade weil es kein spektakulärer, sondern ein mühsam errungener, begrenzter Erfolg war. Er war weder ein Niemand noch ein überlebensgroßer Held, sondern ein fähiger, eigenwilliger Praktiker mit einem sehr spezifischen Wirkungskreis.

Genau diese Ambivalenz hält Elliott jedoch nicht aus. Stattdessen verwandelt er die Geschichte in eine Heilserzählung, in der Gut und Böse sauber verteilt sind und selbst die offensichtlichsten Widersprüche – etwa die Rolle „gütiger“ Sklavenhalter – durch moralische Verrenkungen entschärft werden. Das Ergebnis ist eine Darstellung, die mehr über die Bedürfnisse ihres Autors und ihres Publikums verrät als über ihren Gegenstand.

Unterm Strich liest sich das Buch flüssig, aber unerquicklich. Es ist weniger eine Annäherung an eine historische Person als ein Beispiel dafür, wie Biografien zur ideologischen Erbauungsliteratur verkommen können. Wer sich für Carver interessiert, wird hier eher eine Legende finden als einen Menschen.

Rating: 1/5
Sprache gelesen: Deutsch
Gelesen im Jahr: 2026

[Jessica Kirkpatrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have kept a copy of this book for years. It had been packed up and moved with me across the country and back. That is really the only review a book needs sometimes, the fact that you never let it go.

George Washington Carver was born into slavery in Missouri around 1864. His mother was stolen by slave raiders when he was an infant, and he never saw her again. He grew up in poverty, faced racism at every turn, was denied entry to college because of the color of his skin, and still became one of the most brilliant agricultural scientists in American history. He developed hundreds of products from peanuts, sweet potatoes, and other crops that transformed Southern farming and helped lift poor farmers out of poverty. He turned down lucrative offers from people like Thomas Edison because he didn't care about money or fame. He sometimes didn't even bother cashing his paychecks. He just wanted to do the work.

He was a brilliant man who persevered through so much adversity to become one of the greats, and yet he remained humble all his life.

I grew up in Alabama, being taught a version of history that made very little room for stories like his, but somehow this book and his amazing story made their way to me through all the bullshit I was taught, and I'm so glad it did.

I urge anyone reading this to read this book.

[Tom · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a simple and uplifting biography of a truly unique person who partly through self-determination and with occasional assistance from kindhearted bystanders became a world famous scientist and teacher, artist and musician. He was one of those people who seem to be familiar to many Americans but they cannot quite say from what historical period or for what accomplishments, other than mentioning he may have been black. I am one of those people and that is the reason I put down a dollar for this book at the local thrift shop. The writing is clear and straight forward, could be a great 4th of 5th grade reading assignment/book report. I may try to get one of my grand kids off the phone long enough to read it. There are other bios of Carver, some no doubt with footnotes or page after page of end notes but I think the author's treatment fits the character of this great man.

[Ingrid · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had never heard of Mr. Carver, this book was loaned to me by a friend who got it through a friend who was in the United States. She loved the book and lent it to me. That's when I met this great man, who did so much and should be as important to American history as he is to the history of Afro-Americans. I learned a lot from this book, from agriculture, peanuts, history of the United States, as well as the message that seemed fundamental to me. Yes, I am talking about the religious message. Through love for God, understanding that racial difference is illusory in His eyes, Mr. Carver's message is transcendental, regardless of whether you are not a Christian, it applies to any religion.
Very grateful for haveing read this book.

[Kat Leffler · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my all time favorite biographies and books in general. We all know George Washington Carver as the "Peanut Butter Man" , but that's about the extent of it. At least for me it was. I couldn't believe how much more he was!
He was such an impressive person, born in slavery as Carver's George, he came from nothing, and he wasn't physically strong like his older brother, in a time where it was nearly impossible to get educated or even accepted as a black American, but he did, he worked his way up with cause and determination, with heart and soul for the good of the planet and people... After reading his story, I just loved him and felt that there is hope for humanity after all.
Highly recommended book! Scratch that, a must-read!

[C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding biography of a godly scientist committed to his work and to his people. He also taught Bible class on Sunday afternoons:

“How could they know God? someone once asked. Would they ever see him?”
“What are you studying?” Carver came back.
“Electricity.”
“Have your ever seen electricity?”
“No, it’s. . .”
“But when you make the proper contact, when you fulfill the laws of your trade, you can make a bulb light up, can’t you, because electricity is always there.”
“Yes,” the boy conceded.
“Well, God is always there, too—just waiting for you to make contact.” p.197

[Katie Matteson · Rating 5 out of 5]

He was an amazing man who's genius was cultivated by hard work and God's missing for him. He helped me understand the awful situation of slavery untaught by schools and his mission in helping his people know their freedom AFTER they had gained their freedom on paper. We need more people like him in this world. Learn about him, let his teachings guide your gifts to do God's work also.

[Svenja L · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mir war George W. Carver vorher komplett unbekannt, Schande auf mein Haupt. Was für ein einzigartiger Mensch! Ich lese ungefähr nie Biografien, weil ich sie mir wirklich langweilig vorstelle, aber die hier war tatsächlich spannend. Hab später erst erfahren, wie alt die Erstausgabe des Buches ist. Wow.

[Diana Gagliardi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really nice biography, though a bit dated in some ways (from the 1960s) but also means that it was written using input from people who actually knew him.

A fascinating American figure- I hope someone updates a work on him and gets his name back in people's mouths.

Enjoy!

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best biographies I have ever read. I have read it twice. George Washington Carver was an incredible, humble, genius of a man. It would have been quite an honor to know the man personally!

[Adam Kovynia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I made a YouTube video about this book. I recommend it highly to everyone. You really will feel inspired when reading it!! It's a great piece of work by Lawrence Elliott.

[Kathrin Schöfer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspiring story. So much information and detail packed into the pages I often thought I had read 10 when it had only been 2.

[Andrada Scaun]

It didn't even take me 5 months.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written book about an extraordinary man.

[Nathan Covello · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book

[Jacque · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this aloud for school. MD, CN and I gave this 5 stars. MK gave it 3. MD thought it was a good book that showed GWC morals. CN thought the book was entertaining and informative. MK thought it was a good book and GWC was cool, but that it was long. I have a new appreciation for GWC. He was such a dedicated and tenacious man-so much respect for his character!

[Etta Mcquade · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a remarkable person! A slave baby whose mother was captured by the night riders, he was raised by Moses Carver, a white man who hated slavery. When 14, he went off by himself to a colored school, then after several difficult years, graduated from the now Iowa State University, went to Tuskegee, became famous as an inventor using natural products, such as PEANUT BUTTER, 300 products from the peanut, 118 products from the sweet potato, and more. (Because of Carver, today peanuts are our sixth most important agricultural product.)
Forty years after his arrival at Tuskegee, he was still earning $125 a month which Booker T. Washington had first offered him. He said "What would I do with more money. I already have the whole earth."
Every time I eat a peanut butter sandwich I think of George Washington Carver (and I love peanut butter).

[Elliwil · Rating 3 out of 5]

George W. Carver war ohne Zweifel einer der bedeutendsten farbigen Männer des 19./20. Jahrhunderts und die Biografie ist absolut informativ. Allerdings gefiel mir die Übersetzung an manchen Stellen nicht und es sind sehr viele Schreifehler enthalten, sogar ganze Absätze wurden doppelt eingefügt, was beim Lesen sehr stört. Ab und an las sich das Buch auch ziemlich schleppend, was aber auch daran liegen kann, dass ich mich nicht sonderlich für die Natur und Pflanzenwelt interessiere. Dennoch empfehlenswert.

[Shana Jefferis-Zimmerman · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books I have ever read. George Washington Carver is an inspiration to us all and you have probably never heard of him. He was a man born with less than nothing in the 1800s. And he rose to not only educational excellence, but he changed the world of agriculture forever. He also had a profound impact on farming and business in the South. I bought this book based on a very favorable review, not knowing who he was. Read this book.

[Edwin Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just now remembered about reading this book from my local library. I don't remember any details about the author's way of telling the story, but Carver surely was one of the greatest examples of a humble Christian ever, and no other well known Alabama person except Helen Keller would be comparable.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like a true story with such an admirable character. It is a good read and educational about the history of the time. It was a good sequel for The Souls of Black Folk that I read recently. I've also read about Booker T. Washington who was prominent in George Carver's life.