Parallel Time: Growing Up in Black and White - Hardcover

""Parallel Time is superb. . . . The story of who Staples is at heart and how he got to be that way is written in clear, vivid prose. It is funny and sad and deeply moving."--Lorene Cary, author of "Black Ice"A powerful, personal memoir from an extraordinary storyteller. . . . The reader is priviliged to share the inner turmoil, and the startling eloquence, of a man bent on saving himself."--"Philadelphia Inquirer"Poignant . . . rewarding . . . vividly realized. . . . A writer of edifying elegance. . . . Staples reveals a resolutely distinct voice as he negotiates the treacherous shoals of racial identity in American culture."--"The New York Times"Eloquent and skillfully crafted. . . . Staples's fresh descriptions have a breathtaking brilliance. . . . He puts flesh and blood on the people who are being signified about during this nasty and cold-hearted period of our history and explores the conditions in depth, bringing insights that only an outsider-insider can see. . . This book is for the 90s what James Baldwin's "The Fire Next Time was for the 60s."--Ishmael Reed"An elegant, affecting memoir. . . . Staples has turned his alienation to powerful account, bringing us living proof that this society cannot afford to bet its future on the laws of chance."--"Chicago Tribune"A wonderful storyteller. . . . Brent Staples writes with eloquence, passion and grace about the most important things in life, and one can ask no more of a writer. . . . We must gratefully welcome this powerful new voice."--Robert Stone, author of "Outerbridge Reach"A painfully honest account of the conflicts and choices caused by growing up and away from one's roots. Staples's book is less an autobiography than ameditation on a universal question: what makes us who we are?"--"Entertainment Weekly"Refreshing. . . ironic. . . . affecting. . . . a superbly crafted memoir."--"Chicago Sun-Times"Funny and terrifying and heartbreaking. . . . Brent Staples has written one of the best memoirs I've ever read about growing up in America."Russell Baker, author of "The Good Times

'Eloquent and skillfully crafted...Staples's descriptions have a breathtaking brilliance...He puts flesh and blood on the people who are being signified about during this nasty and cold-hearted period of our history and explores their conditions in depth, bringing insights that only an outsider-insider can see...This book is for the '90s what James Baldwin's The Fire Nest Time was for the '60.'--Ishmael Reed