My Grandfather's Son : A Memoir

I picked up this book after reading the scores of positive reviews on Amazon and was looking for something to give me a little more depth into Clarence Thomas' character. I admit that I was drawn to look for more only after reading Randall Kennedy's book, "Sellout" and having my interest piqued by an entire chapter devoted to the popular notion of Clarence Thomas being the quintessential "Sellout." (Please note this is NOT the position of the author, Kennedy, merely an observation that he dedicates roughly a chapter to in his book.)

I have to say that the book was an engrossing read, but almost in the way that McDonald's is an engrossing meal - that is to say, I worked my way through it engaged and interested, but left with a little bit of discomfort after finishing it. I acknowledge that the book gives the reader a very clear lens through which to understand Clarence Thomas the man and his own construction of race relations, having grown up in difficult circumstances in a de facto "Segregated South." I was, however, perhaps a little more disappointed that all of his life experiences amount to little more than a bitterness that the advent of affirmative actions led to the questioning of all of his own achievements by his white, liberal peers despite his own hard work. He comes across as a fiercely intelligent and hard working, but a mean, petty jerk and what is clear is that this meanness pervades his own perceptions of white reactions to his accomplishments. By the end of the book, it becomes difficult to parse out how much of his narrative is a deliberate personal ideology and how much of it is simply the musings of a man with the world's biggest chip on his shoulder. This of course, is not the fault of the writing, which was well executed and a pleasure to read.

For what it's worth, I have read quite a few of Thomas' opinions and find them to be weak to average (compared to other justices') at best, and I do not consider him to be one of the great legal minds of the court. I would have to say that my opinion of him remains generally unchanged through the reading of this memoir, but I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking for insight into this cryptic, quiet justice.

This is the story of the triumph of the human spirit and the cause of righteousness. Clarence Thomas deserves the best of America, because he is the best of America.

It's amazing that Clarence Thomas is ignored by most as a black role model. He grew up dirt poor in jim crow era georgia, yet became a success through hard work and a sense of responsibility. He makes a strong case for why he feels affirmative action and other race based quotas do more harm than good. I recommend this book for fellow african americans who are tired of the media telling us we should look up to jesse jackson and al sharpton.

My Grandfather's Son is more than a memoir. It is one of the finest autobiographies ever penned. Moreover, how ironic it is that a man we associate with dispassionate objective reasoning could produce one of the most emotionally moving books imaginable. I was deeply moved by his narrative throughout. I once knew a man like the author's grandfather, Myers, and he too cast a shadow far greater than his physical size. Thomas's tale is infinitely believable as he failed to fully appreciate the one he called "Daddy" until after he passed. The lessons granddad taught are ones which should be internalized by children today and I'd recommend reading aloud to them passages from the early chapters as a means for inspiration. Myers was a master of the art of self-sufficiency and gave Clarence the mental fortitude to persevere in the face of incredible odds. Thomas's life is far more compelling than Barack Obama's and his last three chapters--"Approaching the Bench," "Invitation to a Lynching," and "Going to Meet the Man"--flow as if they were embedded in a movie. The sham of his last Senate confirmation, as an associate justice of the Supreme Court, was horrifying both in retrospect and while it occurred. The leftist activist groups and their Congressional minions tried to subject him to a "high-tech lynching" but he stood up to their menace. In my opinion, Clarence Thomas is a hero of the highest order and may be remembered as one of the finest justices in history. As of right now, My Grandfather's Son is the best book I've read in 2008.

Folks who like and dislike the justice should read this book with an open mind. They might gain a new appreciation for their own circumstances. It was most informative and enlightening.