Life on the Color Line: The True Story of a White Boy Who Discovered He Was Black

I will forever treasure this book as so very few books stop me in my tracks and force me to take a step back. Prior to reading Life on the Color Line I thought it was impossible for anyone, particularly a white person, to understand the black experience if they were not black. Sympathize certainly, and empathize maybe, but actually know it... no way. Greg Williams is the first man who proved me wrong in this thought.This is a dynamic memoir. Each time I look at Greg's smiling face on the cover reduces me to tears. Makes me think, what if there were no people in the world like his father, and mother, and Miss Dora, and the many people of Muncie... would there be a drive to help others? Would it alter they way we compete? Extolling another demographic of social intolerance intrinsic to the individual and collective human need to feel worthy... be superior? Would it ever lead a man such as Mr. Williams to bring his experiences to positions of influence that inspire us to take that step back to see further from a deeper scope?Outside of appreciating the tremendously uplifting premise, I laughed the hardest about the rooster and that dang Buster kissing President Kennedy! Just as I did, Greg found a way to find humor in some of his father's embarrassments, which otherwise may have left him powerless to become the man he became. The greatest penchants however, were the numerous lessons he took from his father, and Miss Dora. There just aren't enough words to express what a spiritually grounded woman Miss Dora was. So much is contained in this book. No word is wasted. Every page rocks with raw emotion. Life on the Color Line is an absolute inspirational must read.

This is an absolutely, wonderful book. Should be required reading for everyone especially college or high school students. It took place in my home town of Muncie, Indiana during the time I lived there. What a wonderful, kind and compassionate man he became in addition to becoming a college president.

I just finished this book and I really enjoyed it. His story was unlike any other I've ever read. During such a turbulent time he managing to stay strong and focused. I was really inspired by his determination and perseverance. It really made me think about how extremely challenging times were back in his day and people just pushed forward. Some moments I just felt overwhelmed with sadness for him by how hard it was for him and how there were no real responsible people in his life (except for Ms. Dora). At one point I thought to myself I think the stuff I deal with is hard when people in the 50s and 60s were dealing with life where just being black could get you killed. It really puts things into perspective.

I learned about this book in an article in the Baton Rouge newspaper. LSU has assigned it as summer reading for many of their students and a group is working to get others in Baton Rouge to read it as well. At our church's partnership group with a local African-American church we decided to read it as a group project, and I'm glad we did. Williams' memoir tells the fascinating story of a young man who is born into the lower-middle class white world of suburban Virginia only to learn when he is about six years old that his father is the son of a mixed-race couple from Muncie, Indiana. Circumstances resulting from this news takes the boy, his father and his brother to Muncie where they live among their African-American (or colored as they were called in the 1950s) family. Billy's (or Greg) father Tony (or Buster) is an alcoholic, which makes life no less difficult as he's scorned by his white classmates and, with his white skin and Caucasian features, standing on shaky ground in his own colored community. A good-hearted woman named Dora raises the two boys as her own, as their birth mother spurns her now-black children. Dora's kindness and Greg's determination to do more than survive are inspiring.

The evil treatment that people of color have received in this country is beyond appalling. Mr. Williams is an amazing man, and the knife he created is an inspiration.

Life on the Color Line is an inspirational account of an extraordinary life. I was drawn to the book when I learned my neighbor Sonny Sage, an outstanding quarterback for Richmond High School in Indiana, was mentioned in the story. Little did I know that I was about to read one of the best books of my life. The author details his journey from the most meager of beginnings in a manner that has all the drama of a novel; he possesses that essential tool of any successful lawyer---a memory that includes details of conversations, scenes and situations. His utter surprise when his father tells him that he and his brother are black; his gritty poverty; his refusal to give up or give in; his will to succeed; his love of his family despite their many flaws; his love of those who raised him and his recounting of their many selfless acts---gripping scenes that will move most readers from tears to joy. I recommend this story of an heroic individual to any reader who desires to experience a detailed and motivational review of one man who had every reason to fail, but decided instead to succeed beyond all expectations. This book should be required reading for today's teenagers; it will direct young readers toward success regardless of circumstance.

This is one of the best books I have ever read! I will admit, I prefer suspense books and other fictions but, I could not stop reading this book until I finished. It was a page turner for sure. He has a powerful story of overcoming such oppressive situations. Mr. Williams gave an honest, open account of his fragile childhood. It was a look into the past and present of race relations in America. I would love read a part two. How has his feeling changed? Has he mentored others with similar backgrounds? How does his students relate to his story or see it as distant past?

This book had me laughing, crying and despairing of humanity only to be raised up in hope again by people's kindness.There is nothing further I can add to the other positive reviews given by others.This book is extremely well-written and you feel like you are there at the time the author was going through his experiences.A remarkable book and a keeper.

This book is an amazing account of human nature, its prejudices, misfortunes and finally triumph through choices and hard work. I have found it enormously inspiring and am currently passing it on to any that might be so inspired and educated. A wonderful read!!

Item as described, No problems. Would buy from this vendor again.

I first heard about this book on utube. The author was telling a university class his real life story. In the 1950s there was segregation andBlack people were very discrimated against. He was so interesting, that I just had to read the book. I'd recommend this book. A very good read.

Interesting read. Sad reflection of the times