Recommended Reading
Nonfiction that explores, challenges, and informs -- generally easy and even fun to read.
Conversations: Straight Talk with America’s Sister President, Johnnetta Cole.
The former president of Spelman College speaks to her younger sisters.
From Beirut to Jerusalem, Thomas Friedman.
History, politics and current culture of the Middle East revealed through a journalist’s experiences.
The Girls Are Coming, Peggie Carlson.
Minnesota woman describes her work as a pipefitter trainee for Minnegasco in the 1970s.
It’s the Little Things – Everyday Interactions That Anger, Annoy, and Divide the Races, Lena Williams.
Candid and funny discussion of everyday life.
Life on the Color Line, Gregory Howard Williams.
A university professor recalls growing up as white for his early years, then moving to his father’s black community.
Like a Hurricane: The Indian Movement from Alcatraz to Wounded Knee, Paul Chaat Smith and Orbert Allen Warrior.
Recent history many of us have ignored.
News of a Kidnapping, Gabriel García Marquez.
Chronicle of the 1990 kidnappings of ten Colombians.
Paula, Isabel Allende.
Autobiography of growing up in Santiago, Chile.
Poisoned Ivy – Lesbian and Gay Academics Confronting Homophobia, Toni McNaron.
Results of a survey conducted by U of M professor (now emeritus.)
The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down, Anne Fadiman.
The cultures of an immigrant Hmong family and the U.S. medical community clash as both try to assist an ill child.
Standing in the Light – A Lakota Way of Seeing, Severt Young Bear and R. D. Thiesz.
A Lakota from South Dakota describes his culture.
Walking With the Wind – A Memoir of the Movement, John Lewis.
The civil rights/non-violence movement from a major participant who became a congressman.
Warriors Don’t Cry, Melba Patilla Beals.
The author was one of the nine black students to integrate Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas, under protection of army troops. If you think you know the story, you don’t until you read this book.
When I was Puerto Rican, Esmeralda Santiago.
A beautiful autobiography of life in a troubled family in Puerto Rico.
Why are all the black kids sitting together in the cafeteria? And other conversations about race, Beverly Tatum.
Yellow – Race in American Beyond Black and White, Frank Wu.
Growing up ‘Asian’, by a law professor at Howard University.
Slightly more academic, but still good reads.
Boarding School Seasons, Brenda Child.
Letters and stories of American Indian families and their experiences with boarding schools during 1900-1940.
Claiming Disability: Knowledge and Identity, Simi Linton.
Exploring the understanding of disability and identity in a university.
Faculty of Color in Academe – Bitterweet Success, Caroline Sotello Viernes Turner and Samual Myers, Jr.
Exploring reasons for underrepresentation of faculty of color in academe by current and former U of M faculty members.
Jefferson’s Pillow: The Founding Fathers and the Dilemma of Black Patriotism, Roger Wilkins.
Exploring the impact of the role of race in the personal lives of George Washington and others and the experience of today.
The Miner’s Canary, Lani Guinier and Gerald Torres.
A provocative discussion of race and power, using cross-racial power-sharing collations to expose hierarchies of privilege.
Peacemaking Circles: From Crime to Community, Kay Pranis, Barry Stuart, and Mark Wedge.
Using Circles as a transformative response to conflicts and challenges.
The Shape of the River, William Bowen and Derek Bok.
A study of graduates of highly selective colleges supports affirmative action in college admissions.
Taking the Field: Women, Men and Sports, Michael A. Messner.
Gender and sports, but not just how many people are on the field.
When Race Breaks Out – Conversations about Race and Racism in College Classroom, Helen Fox.
A useful guide for instructors.
Updated 09/22/2006