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More Than I Imagined: What a Black Man Discovered About the White Mother He Never Knew
An award-winning journalist tells the story of his quest to reconcile with his white mother and the family he’d never met—and how faith brought them all together.
John Blake grew up in a notorious Black neighborhood in inner-city Baltimore that became the setting for the HBO series The Wire. There he became a self-described “closeted biracial person,” hostile toward white people while hiding the truth of his mother’s race. The son of a Black man and a white woman who met when interracial marriage was still illegal, Blake knew this much about his mother: She vanished from his life not long after his birth, and her family rejected him because of his race.
But at the age of seventeen, Blake had a surprise encounter that uncovered a disturbing family secret. This launched him on a quest to reconcile with his white family. His search centered on two “Where is my mother?” and “Where do I belong?” More Than I Imagined is Blake’s propulsive true story about how he answered those questions with the help of an interracial church, a loving caregiver’s sacrifice, and an inexplicable childhood encounter that taught him the importance of forgiveness.
Blake covered some of the biggest stories about race in America for twenty-five years before realizing that “facts don’t change people, relationships do.” He owes this discovery to “radical integration,” which was the only way forward for him and his family—and is the only way forward for America as a multiracial democracy. More Than I Imagined is a hopeful story for our difficult times.
John Blake grew up in a notorious Black neighborhood in inner-city Baltimore that became the setting for the HBO series The Wire. There he became a self-described “closeted biracial person,” hostile toward white people while hiding the truth of his mother’s race. The son of a Black man and a white woman who met when interracial marriage was still illegal, Blake knew this much about his mother: She vanished from his life not long after his birth, and her family rejected him because of his race.
But at the age of seventeen, Blake had a surprise encounter that uncovered a disturbing family secret. This launched him on a quest to reconcile with his white family. His search centered on two “Where is my mother?” and “Where do I belong?” More Than I Imagined is Blake’s propulsive true story about how he answered those questions with the help of an interracial church, a loving caregiver’s sacrifice, and an inexplicable childhood encounter that taught him the importance of forgiveness.
Blake covered some of the biggest stories about race in America for twenty-five years before realizing that “facts don’t change people, relationships do.” He owes this discovery to “radical integration,” which was the only way forward for him and his family—and is the only way forward for America as a multiracial democracy. More Than I Imagined is a hopeful story for our difficult times.
240 pages, Hardcover
Published May 2, 2023
83 people are currently reading
2646 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews
October 8, 2025
I listened to More Than I Imagined: What a Black Man Discovered About the White Mother He Never Knew on audiobook. It is narrated by the author, John K. Blake. I love it when an author narrates their work!
This memoir captivated me from the very beginning. Blake's father was African American and his mother was White. They started dating when interracial marriage was against the law in 19 states. Dating across racial lines was dangerous and potentially deadly.
Blake's mother was not around for his childhood or early adult years.
Blake is an author and a senior writer for CNN. He covers racial topics. His first book, Children of the Movement, was published in 2005. Children of the Movement is about children of key leaders on both sides of the Civil Rights Movement.
Race is a topic that Blake is well versed in. As an adult, he reconnects with his mother. His personal journey of discovery and trying to understand his heritage and his relatives on both sides of his family is raw, poignant, existential, tender, and filled with bumps.
I cried. I cheered. I gasped.
His writing style is transfixing.
More Than I Imagined: What a Black Man Discovered About the White Mother He Never Knew won many awards in 2024 including:
* Christopher Awards: affirms highest value of the human spirit
* Gold Medal: Nonfiction book awards
* Gold Medal: Illumination book awards (memoir/inspiration)
* Gold Medal: Nautilus book awards
Blake also won the Georgia Author of the Year Award in 2024.
I highly, highly recommend this book!
This memoir captivated me from the very beginning. Blake's father was African American and his mother was White. They started dating when interracial marriage was against the law in 19 states. Dating across racial lines was dangerous and potentially deadly.
Blake's mother was not around for his childhood or early adult years.
Blake is an author and a senior writer for CNN. He covers racial topics. His first book, Children of the Movement, was published in 2005. Children of the Movement is about children of key leaders on both sides of the Civil Rights Movement.
Race is a topic that Blake is well versed in. As an adult, he reconnects with his mother. His personal journey of discovery and trying to understand his heritage and his relatives on both sides of his family is raw, poignant, existential, tender, and filled with bumps.
I cried. I cheered. I gasped.
His writing style is transfixing.
More Than I Imagined: What a Black Man Discovered About the White Mother He Never Knew won many awards in 2024 including:
* Christopher Awards: affirms highest value of the human spirit
* Gold Medal: Nonfiction book awards
* Gold Medal: Illumination book awards (memoir/inspiration)
* Gold Medal: Nautilus book awards
Blake also won the Georgia Author of the Year Award in 2024.
I highly, highly recommend this book!
June 13, 2023
Fast, easy, engaging, fascinating and very important read. This memoir is the story of John, a biracial boy who grew up in an all-Black inner-city West Baltimore neighborhood (the setting for "The Wire"). His white mother was not present and he would not learn the reason for her absence until he was seventeen years old. The revelation of his Mother's story is a pivotal moment in this young man's life and sets him on a life-long journey to understand and bridge racial division. John leaves Baltimore and goes to a historically black college where he meets middle-class and upper middle-class black people who don't hate white people. In fact, many of his classmates went to integrated schools and lived and learned alongside white people. He begins attending an interracial church and his faith in God (and himself) is slowly restored. John goes on to become an award-winning CNN journalist. He writes that "Facts don't change people; relationships do" and he describes relationships as the overlooked ingredient that reduces racial prejudice.
In this book, the author describes CONTACT THEORY. The basic premise of this theory is that "Bringing White and non-White people together to talk about race has a limited impact". It posits that "What reduces racial prejudice is not more information. It's sustained, intimate contact between White and non-White people in mutual endeavors that have nothing to do with race."
Ultimately, this is a story about discovery, acceptance, empathy, and forgiveness. And love.
In this book, the author describes CONTACT THEORY. The basic premise of this theory is that "Bringing White and non-White people together to talk about race has a limited impact". It posits that "What reduces racial prejudice is not more information. It's sustained, intimate contact between White and non-White people in mutual endeavors that have nothing to do with race."
Ultimately, this is a story about discovery, acceptance, empathy, and forgiveness. And love.
May 9, 2023
Did not anticipate finishing this in a single sitting, but I couldn't put it down! A powerful memoir about John Blake's journey with race told through stories of family, faith, and forgiveness. I'm sad that I'm finished!
May 9, 2023
This book is not particularly (emotionally) easy to read but it is a page-turner. The author is a beautiful writer, and his personal story is compelling. This is a book about race and faith and relationships. I am going to read the hard copy next time (the first time I listened to the audiobook, which he reads himself). He manages to be both sophisticated (I’m a snob about my race reading because I have done so much of it) and relatable.
I have often taken my relationships for granted. For me, the big thing about racism is the structural piece, in part because I have quite solid (and I try to have accountable) personal relationships with people from a lot of different racial and ethnic groups, and I spent a lot of time concerned about how we make a difference in people’s possibilities, which is about policy. These are not my colleagues I’m talking about (although my workplaces have tended toward the very racially different and diverse from me, with a couple exceptions). I’m talking about relatives and friends who last beyond one season or job. But the approach this author takes to relationships made me think a little bit harder, and consider some different angles on the work required to slowly break down all that divides us.
I have often taken my relationships for granted. For me, the big thing about racism is the structural piece, in part because I have quite solid (and I try to have accountable) personal relationships with people from a lot of different racial and ethnic groups, and I spent a lot of time concerned about how we make a difference in people’s possibilities, which is about policy. These are not my colleagues I’m talking about (although my workplaces have tended toward the very racially different and diverse from me, with a couple exceptions). I’m talking about relatives and friends who last beyond one season or job. But the approach this author takes to relationships made me think a little bit harder, and consider some different angles on the work required to slowly break down all that divides us.
July 31, 2025
3.5 stars rounding up. In this memoir, Blake draws on his childhood in the toughest areas of Baltimore, his fractured family background, and his Christian faith to offer a vision of how Americans can build a more just society.
May 12, 2023
This is the life story of the author, it presents in itself a lot of the racial issues in the US. As such, it shines.
The telling is good, but mid course it veers off a little into religion and some parts I could not tell if they were allegory or tried to pass as real events. This detracts a little from the whole because you wonder if previous parts can still be taken at face value.
Still, a good and important book.
The telling is good, but mid course it veers off a little into religion and some parts I could not tell if they were allegory or tried to pass as real events. This detracts a little from the whole because you wonder if previous parts can still be taken at face value.
Still, a good and important book.
May 18, 2023
Really well written and engaging to read. I still felt kept at a distance at times, and I wished there were some time gaps filled in. I also wanted to hear more about the religious journey the author went on which seemed quite important to him, but was drawn in broader brush strokes than I wish it had been. Still, the author is good to let us go on this journey with him and he does it well.
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August 28, 2023See full review on Atlanta Journal-Constitution website:
"CNN writer/producer John Blake’s riveting memoir, “More Than I Imagined: What a Black Man Discovered About the White Mother He Never Knew,” chronicles the former Atlanta Constitution staffer’s transformation from an angry, motherless boy navigating the dangerous streets of West Baltimore to an accomplished man who expands his definition of family to make peace with his past and ultimately the greater world... "
https://www.ajc.com/things-to-do/cnns...
"CNN writer/producer John Blake’s riveting memoir, “More Than I Imagined: What a Black Man Discovered About the White Mother He Never Knew,” chronicles the former Atlanta Constitution staffer’s transformation from an angry, motherless boy navigating the dangerous streets of West Baltimore to an accomplished man who expands his definition of family to make peace with his past and ultimately the greater world... "
https://www.ajc.com/things-to-do/cnns...
August 19, 2025
I really appreciated the honesty from this book. Not just about race and the obvious themes of the book, but the feelings and hesitations that accompany it. To see someone beyond a title, color, or connection is profound and it was heartwarming to follow that journey with John.
Read
October 16, 2023No rating since it’s a memoir but i would highly recommend it!
November 10, 2025
Enlightening true story, read by the author on audiobook, about a biracial man's search for his mother, who was absent during most of his life. The story documents his search for his mother and her sister, which ultimately leads him to also learn about his maternal grandfather who has appeared to him multiple times over the course of his life. Definitely worth a listen - 9 out of 10.
February 8, 2023
A truly compelling book by a man that once denied he was half white around his black friends and family. It’s about self discovering and forging relationships with people over the author’s life. Excellent writing. Difficult subject matter at times.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. Four stars!
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. Four stars!
June 5, 2023
I found this memoir to be deeply touching and I highly recommend it.
September 26, 2023
This is a wonderful, remarkable, deeply moving book, a "non-traditional story on race and faith." I really don't want to say much more about it than that, as my experience as this story unfolded was one of ever deepening surprise, gratitude, and discovery -- I don't want to spoil any of it for others. John Blake has given us a gift in sharing his life and the lives of those close to him in this book -- it really is a treasure.
I first heard about this book on Jemar Tisby's podcast "Footnotes" (Blake thanks Tisby in the acknowledgements; Tisby wrote a blurb). The interview made me want to pick up the book, and I am so glad I did:
More Than I Imagined - An Interview with CNN Journalist John Blake
I first heard about this book on Jemar Tisby's podcast "Footnotes" (Blake thanks Tisby in the acknowledgements; Tisby wrote a blurb). The interview made me want to pick up the book, and I am so glad I did:
More Than I Imagined - An Interview with CNN Journalist John Blake
May 18, 2023
Disappointing. It was really a struggle to get through this 5+ hour audiobook
The message is good and important; the writing doesn’t flow and jumps around.
The message is good and important; the writing doesn’t flow and jumps around.
August 13, 2023
From my perspective as a pale-skinned Brit, whose experiences with 'race' are different from what obviously still exists here in the USA, it was illuminating to read an account from the perspective of a man who identifies as Black - his father is Black, his late mother was White. It was at times excruciatingly sad to read about the racial divisions and prejudices from both sides of the story, white and Black that still holds sway over large parts of society here.
I wished the book was longer with more detail and more in-depth exploration of the story of having difficulty with identifying as either race as a child (Mr Blake suffered as a result of his mixed heritage at the hands of other kids), but I guess people in America are very familiar with the nuances of those issues.
In the UK and - mostly - Europe as a whole, there are not harsh divisions on the grounds of race (skin color and heritage) as, although there are a few Black and brown 'enclaves' in cities, nobody thinks much about it. It's usually seen as a connection of Black and brown (and other racial) groups with each other as wanting to achieve community with people who look like them. Yes, there's an underbelly of resentment (and crime) in some quarters, but generally most people see beyond skin color these days.
I certainly SEE people for who they are - yes, I notice their skin tone, but that doesn't make me treat anyone any differently. Since the 1960s, in the UK there's been gradual integration which has been more or less been successful. I have had friends of all skin tones. Also, I'm mindful that, in fact, I'm also of mixed race, despite the lightness of my skin. My mother brought her French genes (darker skin and black hair - possibly Spanish or even Moorish - that my sister inherited) over with her when she married my fair-skinned English father (of mixed heritage due to British history).
This book, however, gives me a whole new perspective. I will still treat everyone as I always do - with respect and love - regardles of heritage, but I gather that there are huge swaths of America which have real difficulty in doing so - due to heritage of a different kind. And due to perceived 'lack' of whatever it is they believe is there. I felt for Mr Blake's pain. I truly hope he's been able to move forward with his own new perspectives and will continue to try and make a difference in society as a whole. Maybe he should become a politician.
I wished the book was longer with more detail and more in-depth exploration of the story of having difficulty with identifying as either race as a child (Mr Blake suffered as a result of his mixed heritage at the hands of other kids), but I guess people in America are very familiar with the nuances of those issues.
In the UK and - mostly - Europe as a whole, there are not harsh divisions on the grounds of race (skin color and heritage) as, although there are a few Black and brown 'enclaves' in cities, nobody thinks much about it. It's usually seen as a connection of Black and brown (and other racial) groups with each other as wanting to achieve community with people who look like them. Yes, there's an underbelly of resentment (and crime) in some quarters, but generally most people see beyond skin color these days.
I certainly SEE people for who they are - yes, I notice their skin tone, but that doesn't make me treat anyone any differently. Since the 1960s, in the UK there's been gradual integration which has been more or less been successful. I have had friends of all skin tones. Also, I'm mindful that, in fact, I'm also of mixed race, despite the lightness of my skin. My mother brought her French genes (darker skin and black hair - possibly Spanish or even Moorish - that my sister inherited) over with her when she married my fair-skinned English father (of mixed heritage due to British history).
This book, however, gives me a whole new perspective. I will still treat everyone as I always do - with respect and love - regardles of heritage, but I gather that there are huge swaths of America which have real difficulty in doing so - due to heritage of a different kind. And due to perceived 'lack' of whatever it is they believe is there. I felt for Mr Blake's pain. I truly hope he's been able to move forward with his own new perspectives and will continue to try and make a difference in society as a whole. Maybe he should become a politician.
January 20, 2024
More than I imagined is an extremely powerful book, in addition to being very well written. This memoir portrays the effect of America’s racial divide on a family living in a segregated city. Yet that is not all it portrays. It has an impact on another level in how it shows the complexity of individual human beings. This is one of the book’s many strengths. For example, we see that Blake’s father-a seafarer-was exciting, original, complicated, and a person who wanted to get everything out of life. It is understandable that he wanted to escape the racism he faced for the sea, yet heartbreaking that Blake and his younger brother did not have him for long time periods when he was on the ship. The two boys knew their mother was white, but were too young to remember her and knew almost nothing about her - where she was or why she had disappeared. The racial divide in which Blake grew up was so wide that he tried to hide the fact that she was white from others, while at the same time, longed to know about her. It was not until his late teenage years that he began learning about this missing part of him.
While there was some help along the way, the two boys’ childhood was often quite difficult. This compelling, true story shows how vulnerable children are to the situations adults – both on a societal (structural) and an individual level - place them in. The book carries us along with Blake and his brother as they experience things that they are too young to understand, always wishing to find out the mystery of what had happened to their mother. We are also carried into Blake’s adulthood and see how the two, once-separated pieces of the family become reconciled. Issues of America’s racial divide continue to unfold as he and his brother go through these events. I found this book to have a great emotional force. I highly recommend it and am recommending it to all my reading friends.
While there was some help along the way, the two boys’ childhood was often quite difficult. This compelling, true story shows how vulnerable children are to the situations adults – both on a societal (structural) and an individual level - place them in. The book carries us along with Blake and his brother as they experience things that they are too young to understand, always wishing to find out the mystery of what had happened to their mother. We are also carried into Blake’s adulthood and see how the two, once-separated pieces of the family become reconciled. Issues of America’s racial divide continue to unfold as he and his brother go through these events. I found this book to have a great emotional force. I highly recommend it and am recommending it to all my reading friends.
April 27, 2024
It is a profound experience to witness a personal journey through reckoning with racism amid intergenerational struggle. Journalist John Blake wrote an unforgettable memoir about his experiences and epiphanies as a Black man estranged from his White mother in “More Than I Imagined.” Growing up in West Baltimore in the 1970s, Blake was nurtured by Black culture and community despite encounters with bullying because of his light skin. Blake and his brother Pat endured separation from their father, a merchant marine who traveled the world. Navigating the racial tensions in a segregated city, Blake struggled with the legacy of his skin color, an inadvertent curse from the mother he never knew. When he learns the truth about Shirley Dailey, Blake responds to newfound insight with shame. Ultimately, he develops a greater sense of understanding of identity, heritage, and love.
Race is a social construct that is only skin deep. Yet, the traumas of racism are real and deeply felt across generations. In setting the stage for the memoir, I appreciated Blake’s dutiful approach to sharing his point of view and location as a Black CNN journalist. While his craft demands the lens of fairness and provides an equal voice to grievances, addressing racial strife requires being honest about individual biases. Blake shares the complex dynamics of coming of age in a Black community, as he deals with his ambivalence about being half-White. As a non-Black woman of color, I am grateful for Blake’s honest sharing of stories and perspectives that are often kept hidden from people outside the community. Throughout the book, I felt like a guest who was invited in to witness the intricate collage of experiences, observations, and reflections of someone who walks with wholehearted self-awareness and great concern for others.
Race is a social construct that is only skin deep. Yet, the traumas of racism are real and deeply felt across generations. In setting the stage for the memoir, I appreciated Blake’s dutiful approach to sharing his point of view and location as a Black CNN journalist. While his craft demands the lens of fairness and provides an equal voice to grievances, addressing racial strife requires being honest about individual biases. Blake shares the complex dynamics of coming of age in a Black community, as he deals with his ambivalence about being half-White. As a non-Black woman of color, I am grateful for Blake’s honest sharing of stories and perspectives that are often kept hidden from people outside the community. Throughout the book, I felt like a guest who was invited in to witness the intricate collage of experiences, observations, and reflections of someone who walks with wholehearted self-awareness and great concern for others.
October 11, 2023
John Blake's memoir is a page-turner about his journey of reconciling his identity as a biracial man with a schizophrenic mother through self-reflection, forgiveness, and empathy. He realizes that reconciliation can only be achieved through an honest effort to get to know others on a deeper level by stepping out of our “judgmental comfort” zone. No wonder he wisely reminds us throughout the book that it's not facts, but relationships that truly change people!
What struck me most in this book were not the stories of neglect in oppressive foster homes but the blunt and unapologetic racism on social media even in this day and age. At least when bullies express their thoughts, they expose the issue. Yet, as Blake points out, indifference can be even worse than racism! Dealing with it is inconvenient as it disrupts “their” perfect system. It reminded me of growing up in a polarized Brazil, where the wealthy lived in 'bubbled' communities a few blocks from slum dwellers, with no desire to address the struggles of the latter, similar to Blake's highlights of the indifference of the privileged. “Oh boy, Oh boy”, no wonder his mom was always asking for a St Jude medal, the Patron Saint of Hope and impossible causes! A must-read.
What struck me most in this book were not the stories of neglect in oppressive foster homes but the blunt and unapologetic racism on social media even in this day and age. At least when bullies express their thoughts, they expose the issue. Yet, as Blake points out, indifference can be even worse than racism! Dealing with it is inconvenient as it disrupts “their” perfect system. It reminded me of growing up in a polarized Brazil, where the wealthy lived in 'bubbled' communities a few blocks from slum dwellers, with no desire to address the struggles of the latter, similar to Blake's highlights of the indifference of the privileged. “Oh boy, Oh boy”, no wonder his mom was always asking for a St Jude medal, the Patron Saint of Hope and impossible causes! A must-read.
February 27, 2024
This memoir, read by the author, was very interesting. John grew up in a poor black neighborhood in inner-city Baltimore, MD. He lived with his father but knew his absent mother was white, His dad, often gone for months at a time as a Merchant Marine, would not answer any questions about John's mother. John was blessed to have brother, Pat, who had the same mother. These boys had a rough childhood. John grew up quite prejudiced against white people. Not until he went to college at Howard University in Washington, D.C. did he really discover that blacks and whites could actually be friends. Not at Howard, a black university, but in high schools across the country, even in the U.S. southern states! This is a book about searching for your roots and coming to terms with what you found. It is about self-discovery. It's about family bonds and love and forgiveness. And it is about race. This book tugged at my heartstrings. We can all learn to treat each other better, not make assumptions, and to forgive ourselves and others.
September 12, 2023
interesting memoir about John's life growing up white & black in Baltimore. he shares details about how american history has directly impacted his family (banned interracial marriages, civil rights movement, apartheild, etc.). john spends a lot of his life denying his whiteness and resenting his white family members because of their racism and their inability to accept pat and john as apart of their family. this book follows john's long journey through forgiving white society and his white family for thieir past. john provides a unique perspective on race in america, and shares his experience uncovering his relationship with whiteness while facing prejudices in america, and even in his own family.
it was very insightful to hear john's stories and to hear how he was able to find peace with white society. (through his relationship with his mom, his aunt, and attending his interracial church)
it was very insightful to hear john's stories and to hear how he was able to find peace with white society. (through his relationship with his mom, his aunt, and attending his interracial church)
July 3, 2024
John Blake's memoir, *More Than I Imagined: What a Black Man Discovered About the White Mother He Never Knew*, delves into his life as a biracial man navigating identity alongside a mother who had schizophrenia. It explores themes of self-discovery, relationships, and tackles enduring issues like racism and indifference. Drawing on his experience as a seasoned journalist, Blake shares a compelling story that reflects on his challenging upbringing in Baltimore. As an adult, Blake's personal revelations about his family deeply influence his perspective, highlighting the importance of racial unity through empathy. Ultimately, his very candid memoir tells a story of redemption, offering profound hope and reconciliation, making it a thought-provoking must-read with a lasting impact.
All in all, I applaud John Blake for his sincere yet raw memoir. I enjoyed reading it. I received an advance review copy for free from NetGalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
All in all, I applaud John Blake for his sincere yet raw memoir. I enjoyed reading it. I received an advance review copy for free from NetGalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
October 17, 2024
John Blake grew up in the 1960's. His mother was white, his dad black. His mom was gone from his life and he didn't know why. He grew up in an all-black situation and was embarrassed that his mom was white. He also grew up with a mostly absent dad and in foster care while he dad was gone. Thankfully he had an aunt who poured into his life. As a teenager he finally met his mother who he found out was in an institution with a mental illness. He then became embarrassed to have a mentally ill mother. Neither mixed race marriages or mental illness were talked about or accepted. The author tells us how he came to accept his mother and how he came to recognize racism even in himself. He reflects a lot on race relations in the US and what we can do to make things better.
Overall a fascinating story.
Overall a fascinating story.
November 27, 2023
Five stars for the author’s willingness to share his story on what comes across as true and sincere. 4 stars for readability. Imo I wanted to hear a little more of his motivations and inner work that he clearly did. Of course, if he didn’t want to Share that with World that is totally understandable and his prerogative. It is wild and tragic to me that biracial people must deal with rejection and racism from both races. That those who experience rejection based on the color of their skin are able to forgive, deal with it without becoming and remaining bitter is very inspirational to me. I definitely recommend this book to get a little bit of perspective on what it is like to deal with and even grow from tragic circumstances. Kudos to the author.
May 29, 2024
In his book More than I Imagined, John Blake gives us a coming of age tale that is as remarkable as it is important. Among the pages are lessons in heartbreak, grace, and the power of an open heart to restore joy in life and faith in people. Not only did I learn how and why we perpetually disenfranchise ourselves from each other based on race and mental illness, Blake’s story helps illuminate the need to take responsibility for how our attitudes and actions can transform the world, one relationship at a time.
The highest praise I usually give a book is to say I am sad to see it end, sad to bid goodbye to the folks I got to know while reading it. But for Blake’s book I’ll go a notch higher by adding that I will carry these people in my heart long after finishing the final passages.
The highest praise I usually give a book is to say I am sad to see it end, sad to bid goodbye to the folks I got to know while reading it. But for Blake’s book I’ll go a notch higher by adding that I will carry these people in my heart long after finishing the final passages.
February 26, 2024
Longer than it needed to be, but an interesting memoir of a Black man coming to terms with what he thought was racism, but which instead was about the stigma of mental illness.
He grew up without his white mother--but was never told why and where she was.
He also lived in a massively disfunctional setting, but it was the haunting frustration that racism drove that separation that went deep into his soul.
Blake's writing was excellent, his story grim, and I'm amazed grew into a successful journalist.
Of course, Jesus helped.
This memoir is a good reminder that it's too easy to cry racism, rather than look into the actual deprivation of a family.
He grew up without his white mother--but was never told why and where she was.
He also lived in a massively disfunctional setting, but it was the haunting frustration that racism drove that separation that went deep into his soul.
Blake's writing was excellent, his story grim, and I'm amazed grew into a successful journalist.
Of course, Jesus helped.
This memoir is a good reminder that it's too easy to cry racism, rather than look into the actual deprivation of a family.
October 13, 2024
Rounded up from 3.5 ⭐️
As with all memoirs, I read it highly dislike, rating, and reviewing them bc it feels like I'm am rating and reviewing someone's life, and that makes me uncomfortable.
Ultimately, I enjoyed this perspective on race and racism. It was well written, captivating, and a perspective that I feel is severely lacking. While I enjoyed what I got out of this book, it left me wanting more. I felt that the history John gave was deep and thorough, but then after meeting his mom and forgiving that side of his family, it felt rushed and short. Overall, I really did like this one and im so glad i read it!
As with all memoirs, I read it highly dislike, rating, and reviewing them bc it feels like I'm am rating and reviewing someone's life, and that makes me uncomfortable.
Ultimately, I enjoyed this perspective on race and racism. It was well written, captivating, and a perspective that I feel is severely lacking. While I enjoyed what I got out of this book, it left me wanting more. I felt that the history John gave was deep and thorough, but then after meeting his mom and forgiving that side of his family, it felt rushed and short. Overall, I really did like this one and im so glad i read it!
June 7, 2023
Intimate and candid autobiography. The author’s early years in Baltimore as a bi-racial son of an often absent father who is in the merchant marines and a missing mother that no one speaks of and of whom he has no memory.
As he grows, the burning questions of where she is, who she was, where are his white family members slowly begin to be answered.
More broadly, the theme of racism is explored as well as abuse, mental illness, misconceptions, and misunderstandings and reconciliation.
Blake is an award winning journalist with CNN and author of books, as well.
As he grows, the burning questions of where she is, who she was, where are his white family members slowly begin to be answered.
More broadly, the theme of racism is explored as well as abuse, mental illness, misconceptions, and misunderstandings and reconciliation.
Blake is an award winning journalist with CNN and author of books, as well.
June 21, 2023
John Blake's journalistic clarity and economy of words deliver this story with gut-wrenching impact. A well-crafted memoir that is more than one man's or one family's journey. It's a clear-eyed look at racism in America, how widespread it is and how deeply it is planted in each of us from a young age. The author's account of discovering his mother, and discovering himself along the way, is painful, yes, but there is sweet redemption here, too. It's a lesson in the peace that can come when we understand that the "other" is one of us.
November 17, 2024
If you are struggling with racism, racial identity, or how your parents raised you, this may be a book you may enjoy reading. John Blake shares many details about his life, and how he overcame a very non-traditional upbringing to become the person he is today. He shares the story of a mother and family he never knew and the ghosts that came along with it. John and his brother are survivors in a cruel world, but ultimately, they were able to gain insight into their past and to finally get to know their mother.
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