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About this item
Highlights
- The #1 New York Times bestselling author of Between the World and Me journeys to three resonant sites of conflict to explore how the stories we tell--and the ones we don't--shape our realities.
- About the Author: Ta-Nehisi Coates is the author of The Beautiful Struggle, We Were Eight Years in Power, The Water Dancer, and Between the World and Me, which won the National Book Award in 2015.
- 256 Pages
- Social Science, Essays
Description
Book Synopsis
The #1 New York Times bestselling author of Between the World and Me journeys to three resonant sites of conflict to explore how the stories we tell--and the ones we don't--shape our realities. Ta-Nehisi Coates originally set out to write a book about writing, in the tradition of Orwell's classic "Politics and the English Language," but found himself grappling with deeper questions about how our stories--our reporting and imaginative narratives and mythmaking--expose and distort our realities. In the first of the book's three intertwining essays, Coates, on his first trip to Africa, finds himself in two places at once: in Dakar, a modern city in Senegal, and in a mythic kingdom in his mind. Then he takes readers along with him to Columbia, South Carolina, where he reports on his own book's banning, but also explores the larger backlash to the nation's recent reckoning with history and the deeply rooted American mythology so visible in that city--a capital of the Confederacy with statues of segregationists looming over its public squares. Finally, in the book's longest section, Coates travels to Palestine, where he sees with devastating clarity how easily we are misled by nationalist narratives, and the tragedy that lies in the clash between the stories we tell and the reality of life on the ground. Written at a dramatic moment in American and global life, this work from one of the country's most important writers is about the urgent need to untangle ourselves from the destructive myths that shape our world--and our own souls--and embrace the liberating power of even the most difficult truths.About the Author
Ta-Nehisi Coates is the author of The Beautiful Struggle, We Were Eight Years in Power, The Water Dancer, and Between the World and Me, which won the National Book Award in 2015. He is the recipient of a MacArthur Fellowship. Coates lives in New York City with his wife and son.Dimensions (Overall): 7.5 (H) x 5.0 (W) x .72 (D)
Weight: .81
Suggested Age: 22 Years and Up
Sub-Genre: Essays
Genre: Social Science
Number of Pages: 256
Publisher: One World
Format: Hardcover
Author: Ta-Nehisi Coates
Language: English
Street Date: October 1, 2024
TCIN: 91825006
UPC: 9780593230381
Item Number (DPCI): 059-01-3203
Origin: Made in the USA
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Shipping details
Estimated ship dimensions: 0.72 inches length x 5 inches width x 7.5 inches height
Estimated ship weight: 0.813 pounds
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4.6 out of 5 stars with 30 reviews
88% would recommend
17 recommendations
Interesting and thought provoking
5 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
- 7 days ago
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] This book is well written and thought provoking. It's the kind of book that I'll probably share with my mother in law when I'm done with it, and I don't share every book I read with her. The book is well made and arrived in good condition. I had to reorder it because the first time I tried, it never shipped. In fact, I still haven't received the original copy I ordered. I received an incentive to write this review.
Book titled the message by Coates
4 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
sozieveronicambird - 1 month ago
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] Definitely have heard a lot of people talk about this book and wanted to try it out for myself. The author, Coates, takes us on a journey to three different places in his book and shares his experiences in each. While I’m still reading the book, I enjoyed the message ive read so far and will continue so I finish it. The book is well written and not overly long, so it shouldn’t be too intimidating to someone who doesn’t read very often. I received an incentive to write this review.
Another great book by an incredible author
5 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
soziealliegee - 1 month ago
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] My husband is a big fan of this author and was looking forward to getting his hands on a copy of this book. Personally, my biggest concern with hard covers is that I know the sleeve will come off and if we are paying for the hard cover I want it to look nice in my home. This book is a win for both of us - he gets to read what he wants and I don’t mind it being displayed. So far, he’s enjoying the book and it’s making him think critically about our political landscape and how stories and writing affect that. This author is never a disappointment. I received an incentive to write this review.
A powerful read that will get you thinking
5 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
soziemainlinemom - 1 month ago
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] The Message by Ta-Nehisi Coates is a short but powerful book. He is a compelling author with fascinating life experience. This was an educational read. He takes the reader through Dakar, Senegal, the last place that his ancestors were before getting on a ship to America to be enslaved. He takes the reader through North Carolina as he visits an activist teacher who is working to teach one of his books and keep it in her curriculum. He takes the reader through Israel and Palestine, which is at the forefront of our current news cycle. I would recommend this book for those who are willing to open up their perspective. I received an incentive to write this review.
Wonderful read with deep meaning
5 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
soziedeeandco - 1 month ago
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] This book should be required reading in every high school. The message that it teaches and the style they Coates writes in can be tricky to understand but the end is so powerful. Certainly worth finishing the book if you are not enthralled early on. It is rare that you can find something with such a deep message in a short format, I appreciated this as I found myself reading slower to fully grasp the unwritten messages as we followed along his physical journey. Overall a strong reflection on the crazy world we live in and a view into Coates personal journey that can give way to your own individual reflection. I received an incentive to write this review.
A quality read by Ta-Nehisi
4 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
soziemchide - 1 month ago
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] This is another good read by Ta-Nehisi Coates. I enjoyed the book because his descriptive language makes his story come to life as you get a personal look inside his. It is a quick read as it is short with few words per page. I like this because it keeps my attention while conveying it's message which makes it rememberable. I've read other books of his and you can expect the same quality in this one. I received an incentive to write this review.
Thoughts on Coates most recent book
4 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
soziepjansen1 - 1 month ago
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] Ta-Nehisi Coates’ newest book, “The Message” focuses on Coates’ reckoning with his role and identity, as a black man, a journalist, and an American. Meandering through three different trips, Coates ties together the struggle of the Palestinian people with the struggle of the oppressed in the US, while also contrasting the different treatment and forces applied. While this isn’t my favorite of Coates’ writings, it’s perhaps the most reflective and contemplative. 7.5 out of 10 I received an incentive to write this review.
An Interesting Read of Real Life Accounts
4 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
- 1 month ago
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] An interesting read. A well written novel that details the writer’s experiences on his travel to different parts of the world. It was refreshing to get a first person accord of different places in the world compared to what is conveyed by persons that want to push an agenda. Part one of at least 3 so I’m excited to read about more adventures in follow up books from the author. I received an incentive to write this review.
Descriptive and thought provoking writing
5 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
soziejoannasbookshelf - 1 month ago
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] The Message by Te-Nehisi Coates is a fusion of three parts that cause the reader to really think about their values, their own personal experiences and backgrounds. It's extremely well written and well developed in a way that's engaging and also a page turner. I loved how thought provoking it was and how Coates really got into difficult but extremely important topics. I received an incentive to write this review.
Unbalanced book that overlooks key realities
1 out of 5 stars
Thumbs down graphic, would not recommend
soziebow365 - 2 months ago
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] The book explores three areas of conflict, Senegal, South Carolina, and Israel-Palestine. The first half of the book was ok. Once he started writing about his time in Israel-Palestine is when I have an issue. His review is anything but objective with a narrow focus on Palestinian suffering, oversimplifing centuries of complex geopolitical landscapes, painting Israel’s policies as inherently oppressive. He even so much as compares Palestinian life to American segregation which is like comparing apples with oranges. He is on a moral high horse and needs to be knocked off of it as he is spewing morally loaded language. He doesn’t recognize any of the problems from the Palestinian side, such as governance problems with extremists in leadership positions as well as internal political strife. In his book, he is consequently supporting these extremists actions which undermine peace efforts overall. The one sided argument is further proven by lack of mentioning the October 7th Massacre. I received an incentive to write this review.
Amazing Book
5 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
D - 2 months ago
Ta-Nehisi Coates never fails to impress with his depth of understanding
Impact of Narrative in our world
5 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
Ella_29z - 2 months ago
Beautifully written, courageous, and insightful. Coates is a brave professional, who holds himself to the highest standards, and contrary to what his critics may claim, does not hastily make conclusions w/o careful and dedicated research. He preforms critical examination of primary historical sources. He’s the type of writer who makes it look easy, partly because his writing is not academic, so people may forget what a deep and educated thinker he is. He deftly guides the reader through how he grapples with his emotions, observations, research, and eventual conclusions on how Narrative (aka Messaging) impacts so much of how well all see and think in our world today.
Great book
5 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
Light - 2 months ago
You can feel the morality in this book. He highlights the struggles of Palestinian daily struggles.
What modern day apartheid is. Thank You
5 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
jamil92 - 2 months ago
What a perfect book, a book teaching us common citizens what apartheid is. The fact that how in one country, one ethnicity has a higher privilege than any other. Sad reality of our world, thank you Mr. Coates for taking off our blindfold.
AbsoluteTrash
1 out of 5 stars
Thumbs down graphic, would not recommend
sickofthis - 2 months ago
The author said he could see himself participating in October 7th on the Trevor Noah show. As if that isn’t horrific enough the book is riddled with literal lies. I would strongly caution anyone from reading this book, especially if you aren’t willing to do more research than the author (aka none)
!!!
5 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
sealrlaihs - 2 months ago, Verified purchaser
Well written and important read for anyone.
Gifted and Prolific
5 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
XtinaFanNo2 - 2 months ago, Verified purchaser
This was an instant “add to cart” moment when I found out this book was available. Ta-Nehisi Coates is one of the most gifted and prolific writers we have current-day and I always value having his works displayed on my bookshelf, that is after I have read and digested the information inside.