Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Black Man

by Henry Louis Gates Jr
Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Black Man cover
Good Books rating 3.67
Biography and Memoir
Technical
  • ID: 4449
  • Added: 2025-10-21
  • Updated: 2025-10-21
  • Publisher: Random House (NY)
  • Published: 1997-01-01
  • Reviews: 3

Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Black Man presents a series of striking portraits of notable Black Americans, including Colin Powell, Louis Farrakhan, and Albert Murray. Through these profiles, the author explores the complexities and nuances of their lives, revealing broader truths about race, identity, and the American experience. The book is not just a collection of biographies but a mirror held up to society, reflecting its triumphs, struggles, and contradictions. Each portrait is a window into the individual's journey, highlighting their contributions and the societal context in which they navigated their lives. The author's insightful commentary and vivid storytelling make this a must-read for those interested in understanding the multifaceted experiences of Black Americans.

Reviews
Occasional Review · 2007-08-27
criticized 2.50

The writing style is criticized for being dry and academic, lacking the vitality and engagement expected from such a compelling subject matter. Despite its scholarly approach, the book falls short of capturing the reader's imagination.

The Occasional Review's critique of Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Black Man focuses on its writing style, which is described as dry and academic. The reviewer finds the prose lacking in vitality and engagement, which is disappointing given the compelling nature of the subject matter. While the book is praised for its scholarly approach, it is criticized for not fully capturing the reader's imagination. The reviewer suggests that the academic tone detracts from the personal narratives, making it less accessible and engaging. However, the book is still seen as a valuable contribution to the discourse on race, albeit one that could have benefited from a more dynamic writing style.

Quick quotes

    This is not bad writing, exactly, it is just completely dead. It is Professor Writing.

    I recognize it from a thousand mediocre lectures and bad seminars.

    The writing style is criticized for being dry and academic, lacking the vitality and engagement expected from such a compelling subject matter.

The New York Times · Michiko Kakutani · 1997-01-28
profound 4.00

The book is a profound exploration of race and identity, offering a nuanced perspective on the experiences of Black men. It challenges readers to think deeply about the societal constructs that shape these experiences.

Michiko Kakutani's review in The New York Times highlights the depth and complexity of Henry Louis Gates Jr.'s work. She praises the author's ability to weave together personal narratives and broader social commentary, creating a tapestry that is both intimate and expansive. The book is seen as a crucial contribution to the discourse on race, offering insights that are both timely and timeless. Kakutani notes that the book's strength lies in its unflinching examination of the ways in which race and identity intersect, providing a mirror to society's often uncomfortable truths. She also appreciates the author's scholarly approach, which adds layers of depth to the narratives presented.

Quick quotes

    Gates's pungent introduction bolsters his stature as our preeminent black intellectual, unapologetically immersed in race as a crucial element in American life.

    The book is a profound exploration of race and identity, offering a nuanced perspective on the experiences of Black men.

    It challenges readers to think deeply about the societal constructs that shape these experiences.

The New Yorker · 1995-10-16
relevant 4.50

The book is a timely and relevant exploration of race, particularly in the context of the Simpson trial. It offers a critical analysis of the discourse surrounding crime and punishment, highlighting the suffocating nature of these discussions on race.

The New Yorker's review of Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Black Man emphasizes its relevance, especially in the context of the Simpson trial. The reviewer notes that the book spurs a critical examination of the discourse on crime and punishment, which often overshadows the analysis of race. This perspective is seen as a significant contribution to the ongoing conversation about race in America. The book's ability to contextualize current events within a broader historical framework is particularly praised. The reviewer also appreciates the author's courage in tackling such a complex and sensitive subject matter, providing a lens through which readers can better understand the intricacies of racial dynamics.

Quick quotes

    The Simpson trial spurs us to question everything except the way that the discourse of crime and punishment has enveloped, and suffocated, the analysis of race.

    The book is a timely and relevant exploration of race, particularly in the context of the Simpson trial.

    It offers a critical analysis of the discourse surrounding crime and punishment, highlighting the suffocating nature of these discussions on race.

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