Bailey's account of the effects of his older brother's arrest and imprisonment for murder makes a powerful story, but his ability to explain what happened to his family and other black families as a consequence of racism elevate this book to a must-read for all white Americans. ( )

How difficult, in our racist and misogynistic country, is it for a black man to not only admit to holding hatred in his heart for other black men, but to share those damning feelings with the world? The author's memoir lays out the causes of his fear and anger: a father who beat his wife and children unmercifully, and an adored older brother, Moochie, who commits a terrible murder. Bailey takes us through the turmoil in his family and the deflated hopes that retreat with Moochie's incarceration. There's also a lot of information about stuttering, which, on top of everything else, is just another barrier between Bailey and his desire to become a reporter.

However, in addition to the setbacks, most of Bailey's family members become great successes. The youngest two boys and Moochie's son. who were too young to have enjoyed any of Moochie's positive influence, however, seem determined to follow him to prison.

Although there are many bleak passages here, the author's achievements and his ability to recognize that no one is as bad as their worst action, result in him finding a modicum of peace and in his sharing his arduous journey with readers.

Quotes: "I suspect that white parents don't wonder about the pathology of their race no matter how many times white boys shoot up elementary schools and movie theatres. Most black people I've ever known grimace every time a mug shot of a black boy shows up, because they know the image suggests something awful about them. Our mistakes make it easier for white supremacists to sell their lies about pathological black violence."

"It's true that what doesn't kill you makes you stronger - but only if you make it make you stronger."

"I've known that though some of my brothers have done monstrous things, they are not monsters. They can be as loving and compassionate and wise as the rest of us. They are just as complex and fully deserving of being treated like full human beings - that their lives matter - despite what they've done. And yet I've had to struggle to love them the way I know I'm supposed to."

"That's why know many members of my former church were open to embracing someone like Trump long before Trump came along, not because they are racist, but because defeating racism is often not a priority for them. The problem is that they support policies and politicians that clearly hurt people of color. They cling to an overly sanitized version of law enforcement and law and order, no matter how many young black men and women are killed by police or brutalized in prison. They've convinced themselves that white people being falsely accused of racism is a bigger offense than an unarmed man being shot five times in the back by a police officer."

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