OnlineBookClub.org

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "The Strength of a Thousand Sons" by Melvin E. Edwards.]

The Strength of a Thousand Sons by Melvin E. Edwards can be passed off as a biographical novel of the lives of three generations of Edwards. The story shows generations of men who wanted to leave energy for children better than anything they had lived. They were inspired by the need to avoid making the mistakes of previous generations of Edwards. While trying to succeed, they left a legacy that'll live on for years after they die because that's how excellent the Edwards family's spirit has become.

The book starts with the story of 10-year-old Edwards, who was having it tough with his father. A man who would make you ask all the wrong questions about what it takes to be a father. And a man who would go on to shape his life very severely because all Melvin wanted to do after he grew up was to be nothing like his father. He just wanted to be the exact opposite of his old man. When faced with a challenge, he'll ask what his father would do in this situation and then go ahead and do the exact opposite. That was how strong the effects of his father's treatment were on him. And this prepared him to eventually be a remarkably great father. Like all men, he had his flaws, but his teachings and thoughtfulness for his family left imprints on his children that would not only shape their future after his early demise but would go on to impact the lives of those who came around his children.

This book was such a delight to read. I liked how it asked all the questions of society; why are there so many question marks on the history of black men, and even their future doesn't seem to be clear of those question marks either? The book is embedded in humor, and each page had you grinning as you thought carefully about the points being made. The book showed the real struggles of three generations of Edwards. I liked how it showed in unambiguous terms that success isn't a function of your origins or humble beginnings; it simply is about how much hard work and discipline you've learned and your readiness to prepare adequately to take opportunities you were fortunate enough to come across. This book didn't just show the success stories; it showed the struggles, the pains, and eventually, the things to be grateful for at the end of the day. I also liked how they portrayed that you don't have to be a victim of your circumstances and environment; you can learn from the negative experiences to decide to do nothing that you've seen that is not good. Just like Melvin Edwards, you can choose to be the opposite of an environment that you know is bad, and you can break the status quo for yourself and your children to come after you and their children, and even those who come into contact with you. It's that simple.

The style of writing the author used in this book is quite simple. It wasn't meant to be unnecessarily elaborate or fancy. He wrote straightforwardly and communicated perfectly well with his readers. This is a well-thought-out book written by two generations of Edwards who grew up in very different environments and learned from their fathers that you don't always have to be subjective in your approach to life. The book's transition from father to child's story was beautiful to watch as it showed an in-depth connection between both father and son. The book has no errors and deserves a 4 out of 4.

The only fault with this book is that I would have wished they had passed on the mantle to Damon Edwards to write his own story into his family's legacy and history. Of course, I can't get my way. It is also essential to appreciate how a black man who knows all too well about the horrors and scars racism can leave behind in its wake has decided to rise beyond the hate and take a perspective and write about them without emotions and sentiments. Honestly, I believe this book is something anybody will enjoy; it is inspirational, motivational, humorous, and straight to the point. It has bits of dissertation in it as some societal issues were put into perspective. It didn't focus on the struggles or successes. It focused on the messages that were to be learned in those cases. And that's why I believe any audience will enjoy this book. I think African Americans will appreciate this more than others, though.

******
The Strength of a Thousand Sons
View: on Bookshelves

Sounds familiar to me. I always wanted to do the opposite of what my mother did. I had faced terrible consequences for my doing. But in the end, I am now a successful mother, unlike my mother. I like this book. Thanks for the excellent review.

I take it Melvin's "old man" was terrible at being a father? Melvin's conviction to become nothing like his dad is inspiring, since his upbringing was a good enough excuse to do nothing and just blame the universe, as is the norm, for being unfair. I like that!