Product Description
A newly revised modern manual of manners and etiquette that has become an African American classic.

Unlike the more traditional etiquette books that many African Americans may find stodgy, off-putting, and culturally alien, The New Basic Black is for real people who live real lives—and it addresses many of the issues of a growing black middle class. Straightforward, user-friendly, and illustrated with line drawings, The New Basic Black includes all the information any well-mannered person would want to know about the social rites of passage (marriage, birth, christening, death), the corporate workplace (standard work issues and the more delicate issue of race and its impact on a work environment), various occasions (having guests or being a guest at a summer home, etc.), and everyday rules and rituals that make living in hectic times a little easier. The revised edition of The New Basic Black also contains the intricacies of Internet etiquette, tips for travel in the post-9/11 age, and a wealth of other invaluable information that will make life more comfortable.

For singles and families alike, The New Basic Black takes the mystery out of conventional etiquette and will arm the reader with confidence in any situation. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

A must read for maturing black ladies and women
I found this book in my library and was stunned to see that I was the first person to check it out.The book stamp was 2006.I was fortunate to have a mom that taught me a lot about matters and such. I still read it because my husband and I are about to start having children, and I wanted to read up on some of things I may have missed along the way.I recommend this book to all mothers and women especially those with or who care for bi-racial or black children.WE have to set the standard.BTW... I love Emily Post as well.

The Perfect Coffee Table Book.
I bought this book so long ago, but never reviewed it... basically it has all your basics for proper etiquette.

I purchased it for my boyfriend who was, let's just say- not trained in manners. Many of the people in life, pre-college, were people with a "hood-mentality". We're totally opposite, as my mom taught my sisters and I how to act when we go in public, how to be proper etc etc... and what happened was that my boyfriend would sometimes do things that were, lets just say... embarrassing.

Once at a ball event, we entered a room and were going to our purchased seats, the people at the table greeted us, and I thought that my boyfriend was going to pull back the seat I was eyeing so that I could sit-down... instead he pulled it back then SAT DOWN HIMSELF. It was soooooo embarrassing because everyone was looking-any they all had the "omg" face. Anyway I decided to get this book for him after that...

I gave it to him, wrote a nice message in the front cover, and hoped that he'd read it. And well, we're broken up now... I'm not sure if he ever really read it, but I know he has skimmed it. My suggestion would be to read a passage weekly with your significant other, or whomever you purchased this for.

Overall its a nice book and I plan to purchase another just to have as a reference book.

If you're a mom or someone buying this for your daughter or for yourself to have around, I would also purchase: The Modern Girl's Guide to Life. This is a cute book to have as well that will help you to know what to do, or what to do properly in certain situations like- throwing/planning a dinner party, what to bring when attending a dinner party, etc.

Plus this book is so inexpensive now on here opposed to when I bought it, so if you're thinking of whether or not to get it- for $4.40 plus shipping why not?

Mind Your Manners
This book is a must for people who are moving up. It is unfortunate. Many people do not know basic etiquette. Who should be tipped? What is a proper wedding gift or baby gift? This book helps out the reader. Read it. Many people will learn things that they will not know.

Excellent Guide
This book is part of a collection of books that I have related to etiquette and lifestyle. It is an excellent tool for African-Americans and people of any ethnicity or background.

I find it disturbing that one reviewer here on Amazon called the book racist.There's nothing racist about the book. The target audience is African-American, so naturally the content speaks to people who happen to be African-American.The feedback is ridiculous and is the equivalent of saying that Emily Post was racist in her writing.

Basic Black, Emily Post and Miss Manners all work well together! Enjoy the read.

Apparently, being a racist is good manners!
I read some parts of this racist book, the main premise of which is that manners are color-based--not culture-based. For example, did you know that if you give a housewarming or wedding gift, you should consider giving something that's "afro-centric"? I suppose that, since I have white ancestry, I should present some Klan paraphernalia at the next office party. No other book on etiquette I've read suggests anything anything so in-your-face as that. I can say with some certainty that other etiquette advisors (including Emily Post and Miss Manners) do not provide advice on such situations as walking in on vigorous adulterous situations that the author apparently believes are commonplace. (The author's advice: Close the door quietly and say nothing to anyone! Common-sense advice: Scream to put an immediate end to the act!) ... Read more

Product Description
When newlyweds Emma and Kit speed away on their matching Ducati motorbikes, Emma knows not to expect a conventional honeymoon. From the moment they meet a biker gang and the leader takes a shine to Emma, events take a turn for the bizarre. For the first time in her life, she will be pushed to her limits as the gang's ideas for how to have a good time get more and more outrageous. With hard-drinking rock bands, hunky stuntmen, leather-friendly biker festivals and a whole lot of kinky behavior on the agenda, Emma's taste for adventure is tested to the max - and Kit's not about to step in and save her from the wild bunch as he's having too much fun himself! ... Read more

Product Description

In the 1960s, as a response to segregation in the United States, the influential art patron Dominique de Menil began a research project and photo archive called The Image of the Black in Western Art. Now, fifty years later, as the first American president of African American descent occupies his historic term in office, her mission has been re-invigorated through the collaboration of Harvard University Press and the W. E. B. Du Bois Institute to present new editions of the coveted five original books and the anticipated first part of a new volume. The completed set will include ten sumptuous books in five volumes with up-to-date introductions and more full-color illustrations, printed on high-quality art stock for books that will last a lifetime.

This monumental publication offers expert commentary and a lavishly illustrated history of the representations of people of African descent ranging from the ancient images of Pharaohs created by unknown hands to the works of the great European masters such as Bosch, Rembrandt, Rubens, and Hogarth to stunning new creations by contemporary black artists. Including thousands of beautiful, moving, and often little-known images of black people, including queens and slaves, saints and soldiers, children and gods, The Image of the Black in Western Art provides a treasury of masterpieces from four millennia—a testament to the black experience in the West and a tribute to art’s enduring power to shape our common humanity.

Product Description

In the 1960s, as a response to segregation in the United States, the influential art patron Dominique de Menil began a research project and photo archive called The Image of the Black in Western Art. Now, fifty years later, as the first American president of African American descent occupies his historic term in office, her mission has been re-invigorated through the collaboration of Harvard University Press and the W. E. B. Du Bois Institute to present new editions of the coveted five original books and the anticipated first part of a new volume. The completed set will include ten sumptuous books in five volumes with up-to-date introductions and more full-color illustrations, printed on high-quality art stock for books that will last a lifetime.

This monumental publication offers expert commentary and a lavishly illustrated history of the representations of people of African descent ranging from the ancient images of Pharaohs created by unknown hands to the works of the great European masters such as Bosch, Rembrandt, Rubens, and Hogarth to stunning new creations by contemporary black artists. Including thousands of beautiful, moving, and often little-known images of black people, including queens and slaves, saints and soldiers, children and gods, The Image of the Black in Western Art provides a treasury of masterpieces from four millennia—a testament to the black experience in the West and a tribute to art’s enduring power to shape our common humanity.

Product Description

Staging Race casts a spotlight on the generation of black artists who came of age between 1890 and World War I in an era of Jim Crow segregation and heightened racial tensions. As public entertainment expanded through vaudeville, minstrel shows, and world's fairs, black performers, like the stage duo of Bert Williams and George Walker, used the conventions of blackface to appear in front of, and appeal to, white audiences. At the same time, they communicated a leitmotif of black cultural humor and political comment to the black audiences segregated in balcony seats. With ingenuity and innovation, they enacted racial stereotypes onstage while hoping to unmask the fictions that upheld them offstage.

Drawing extensively on black newspapers and commentary of the period, Karen Sotiropoulos shows how black performers and composers participated in a politically charged debate about the role of the expressive arts in the struggle for equality. Despite the racial violence, disenfranchisement, and the segregation of virtually all public space, they used America's new businesses of popular entertainment as vehicles for their own creativity and as spheres for political engagement.

The story of how African Americans entered the stage door and transformed popular culture is a largely untold story. Although ultimately unable to erase racist stereotypes, these pioneering artists brought black music and dance into America's mainstream and helped to spur racial advancement.

Product Description
A Simon & Schuster eBook ... Read more

Product Description
When Karen's family adopts a new black kitten, Karen is disappointed. She wanted a pumpkin-colored cat in honor of Halloween. But no one can resist a cute little kitten for long. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

GREAT BOOK
This book is the best book EVER!!!!!!!!!! i love everything about the Black Cat and Bad Luck. I love that kind of stuff. Well Thats all i have to say. THISIS A GREAT BOOK!!!!!

Karen's Black Cat is Great!
Karen's cat Boo-Boo is getting old and her family wants a cute, younger kitten. So they go to the pet store and Karen sees a cute cat that she wants, but the rest of her family wants a little black cat. Karen doesn't want the black cat because she thinks it's bad luck. But Karen has to get the black cat anyway. Read this book to find out what happens next!

karen wants an orange cat but her fam picks out a black cat.
karen's cat boo boo is getting old and her fam wants to get a younger kitten to brighten up boo boo. karen wants to get an orange cat and name him Pumpkin. but her family picks out a black one. karen does not like theblack kitten at first, but at the end of this story karen and the blackcat(pumpkin) became real close in love. ... Read more

Product Description
Etiquette for real people who live real lives.In Basic Black, Karen Grigsby Bates and Karen Elyse Hudson have gathered those elements that are, well, just basic to making life more livable–and they’ve added something specific to modern life.The information in Basic Black goes from "CP Time" to "Don’t You Dare," from addressing your wedding invitations to addressing a police officer who has perhaps arbitrarily stopped you as you’re driving through the city.It covers traditional etiquette, such as table settings, being a good host, letter writing, and tipping.Basic Black covers the essentials of black American tradition: joining a church, mentoring young people, planning a funeral, family reunions, participating in clubs and organizations.In addition, some delicate areas seldom discussed in other etiquette books are addressed here, such as race in the workplace, handling service people who are less than enthusiastic about having black customers, and keeping your job and your temper when racial slurs are used in your presence.
As Bates and Hudson like to note, etiquette is about more than just which fork goes where: "As far as we’re concerned, no one will die if you use the wrong fork, but we’ll each lose a little piece of ourselves if we choose to live our lives without genuine respect for morality, character, kindness and other people."
... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

This book came in handy a LOT
I purchased this book several years ago as a hard cover. I learned a lot about what is and isnt appropriate for a formal dinner party, how to gracefully eat ribs in public and it answered the question as to how to tip a great mail carrier. I would recommend this to anyone who wants to make things Just Right.

Basic Etiquette we ALL should know.
I LOVE this book and HOW TO BE by Harriette Cole. Every African American needs to read both books cover to cover. Basic etiquette that used to be taught in the home.

Excellent Idea
Although the book is written by two Black authors it's not much different than Emily Post. I'd give it three stars but so much missing. For example it could have discussed how to visit other churches. AME Zion is not the same as a Baptist chuch and neither one is the same as a COGIC church. I would have loved to found out what to bring to a baby dedication...it's not the same as a baptism. There are so many events that are unique to Black life it's too bad the book doesn't address the etiquette required for them.

If you have a "?", the Black Book has the answer
I brought this book through a book club that I joined recently. At first I didn't think it could tell me anything that I didn't already know, but it did. This book tells you important things that some of us seem like we didn't know the answers to (i.e., when you go on an interview what is too much when it comes to dressing).It "reminds" us of things that we see and may sometimes do that we shouldn't (i.e., if we are in a resturant and we see other's waiting to be seated, don't continue to hog the table while just talking). The book is really based upon common sense, but sometimes people choose not to use it; therefor, the book reminds you to use those common sense cells located in the brain. It's a good little book to have.

A Must for your home.....
Basic Black is a book that should be on your shelf.It covers topics that we ordinarily overlook, while it providers a refresher of Manners 101.If you've ever had a question about what the "appropriate" thing to do is, then you should buy this book ... Read more

Product Description

In the 1960s, as a response to segregation in the United States, the influential art patron Dominique de Menil began a research project and photo archive called The Image of the Black in Western Art. Now, fifty years later, as the first American president of African American descent occupies his historic term in office, her mission has been re-invigorated through the collaboration of Harvard University Press and the W. E. B. Du Bois Institute to present new editions of the coveted five original books and the anticipated first part of a new volume. The completed set will include ten sumptuous books in five volumes with up-to-date introductions and more full-color illustrations, printed on high-quality art stock for books that will last a lifetime.

This monumental publication offers expert commentary and a lavishly illustrated history of the representations of people of African descent ranging from the ancient images of Pharaohs created by unknown hands to the works of the great European masters such as Bosch, Rembrandt, Rubens, and Hogarth to stunning new creations by contemporary black artists. Including thousands of beautiful, moving, and often little-known images of black people, including queens and slaves, saints and soldiers, children and gods, The Image of the Black in Western Art provides a treasury of masterpieces from four millennia—a testament to the black experience in the West and a tribute to art’s enduring power to shape our common humanity.

Product Description
The everlasting tales of a favorite storyteller are celebrated in this colorful compendium. Eight stories such as "Silly Hans", "The Ugly Duckling", "Thumbelina", and "The Princess and the Pea" are each illustrated by a different artist in full color. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

can't complain about Andersen's
I read Andersen's Fairy Tales as a little kid and learned a good lesson that I still remember thesedays. I was hoping to find that story here but did not. It contains only a few but still a good book with good illustrations. I will need to buy some more books and I think I will wait for my three year old to grow up a bit older before I read him the book again.

My kids loved this book!
This book contains many tales by Hans Christean Anderson that entertain children of all ages. My children did a play about Hans Christean Anderson and after reading the book they love his stories even more. It is awonderful book that brang enjoyment to my whole family! I recommend it foryour kids as well! ... Read more

Product Description
The first–ever history of the Black Death in Scotland. ... Read more

Product Description

In the 1960s, as a response to segregation in the United States, the influential art patron Dominique de Menil began a research project and photo archive called The Image of the Black in Western Art. Now, fifty years later, as the first American president of African American descent occupies his historic term in office, her mission has been re-invigorated through the collaboration of Harvard University Press and the W. E. B. Du Bois Institute to present new editions of the coveted five original books and the anticipated first part of a new volume. The completed set will include ten sumptuous books in five volumes with up-to-date introductions and more full-color illustrations, printed on high-quality art stock for books that will last a lifetime.

This monumental publication offers expert commentary and a lavishly illustrated history of the representations of people of African descent ranging from the ancient images of Pharaohs created by unknown hands to the works of the great European masters such as Bosch, Rembrandt, Rubens, and Hogarth to stunning new creations by contemporary black artists. Including thousands of beautiful, moving, and often little-known images of black people, including queens and slaves, saints and soldiers, children and gods, The Image of the Black in Western Art provides a treasury of masterpieces from four millennia—a testament to the black experience in the West and a tribute to art’s enduring power to shape our common humanity.

Product Description
nig·gard·ly (adj.) [nig´erd-le]

1. stingy, miserly; not generous

2. begrudging about spending or granting

3. provided in a meanly limited supply

If you don’t know the definition of the word, you might assume it to be a derogatory insult, a racial slur. You might be personally offended and deeply outraged. You might write an angry editorial or organize a march. You might even find yourself making national headlines

In other words, you’d better know what the word means before you pour your energy into overreacting to it.

That’s the jumping-off point for this powerful directive from Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist and bestselling author Karen Hunter. It’s time for the black community to stop marching, quit complaining, roll up their collective sleeves, channel their anger constructively, and start fixing their own problems, she boldly asserts. And while her straight-talking, often politically incorrect narrative is electrifyingly fresh and utterly relevant to today’s hot-button issues surrounding race, Hunter harks back to the wisdom of a respected elder—Nannie Helen Burroughs, who was ahead of her time penning Twelve Things the Negro Must Do for Himself more than a century ago. Burroughs’s guidelines for successful living—from making education, employment, and home ownership one’s priorities to dressing appropriately to practicing faith in everyday life—teach empowerment through self-responsibility, disallowing excuses for one’s standing in life but rather galvanizing blacks to look to themselves for strength, motivation, support, and encouragement.

From our urban communities to small-town America, the issues Hunter is bold enough to tackle in Stop Being Niggardly affect us all. Refreshingly candid and challenging, certain to get people everywhere talking, this is the book that takes on race in a new—yet also historically revered and

simply stated—way that can change lives, both personally and collectively.

  ... Read more

Customer Reviews (18)

excellent
After reading this book, I'm profoundly changed. As a young black man in America, we do make it difficult for ourselves. I couldn't help but nod at every point she made in this book. I implore everyone who want to improve themselves, to read this book, take a step back, and analyze how you have been living your lives. We need to start applying common sense, stay on the right course, and apply integrity in all that we do.

It sounds easier said than done, but just because Barack Obama is the president, doesn't mean that we rest on our laurels. We still have work to do, but it starts with one person, you and I.

Thank you, Karen Hunter, for this timely publication.

Absoltely AWESOME!
Karen holds nothing back & sheds some light on some hard truth that we don't want to hear. If you are ready for some in your face questions & answer then this is a must read.Thank you Karen for MAKING me take a deep look at my commitment, my self worth and most importantly my contribution to my community.

One of the best books I've read this year.
If I could give this book TEN stars, I certainly would. It is worth this and in it's weight of salt. I would even go one step further and say every African American and anyone else who want to understand us, they need to take the time out and read the book. seriously. I sat down and read this book, and I tell you she wrote some things on there that blew me. We are what we eat, what we eat, what we are. We just are. She really brought food for thought within nine points. And she added a pamphlet made by the late Nannie Helen Burroughs (1879-1961)founder of a school for African American womaen in Washington D.C called "Twelve Things The Negro Must Do" that was published somewhere between the 1890s to early 1900s in which she spoke of twelve things we must do in order to thrive as a society. The points made by Ms Burroughs were prophetic especially when she stated in Point Three that he must run his community "UP" not "DOWN". and that "some race (believe it or not) is going to outdo the Anglo-Saxon completely and that it can be the Negro race if the Negro gets sense enough. Civilization goes up and down that way." Whoa! now, this lady was only born a mere ten or so years from slavery, yet she wrote on what was to come. That blew me away. It was like this lady and Ms Hunter were hand in hand with what they were saying and in a way that was spooky. But I tell you, they both were right. we dropped the ball. we talk a good game but didn't do jack. and sometimes you get a person to point out what you need, and Ms Hunter along with Ms Burroughs has done it. Great book for every African American library.

If You Can't Get In Their Door, Start Your Own
A few highlights from me:

She talked about how Blacks can be so niggardly (definition: stingy--watch the video above or look it up) and try to hold each other back from progress and success. When Karen started her own publishing house, she reached out to her contacts for support, but didn't get it. I was surprised when she mentioned Earl Graves as one of those people (he is the founder and publisher of Black Enterprise magazine).

Karen gives us a brief history lesson in explaining the racial categories we give ourselves here in America. The perceived origins of Latinos, Dominicans, Haitians, Blacks, and Jews have more in common than you might think (certainly more than I knew).

In the book, Karen says, "How you handle your money indicates how your life is going. If you have chaos on your job and in your life, your money is guaranteed to be a mess.... Money is an outward display of the discipline and standards of your life."

We also need to value ourselves more. Karen talks about asking for what you're worth when it comes to your rates/prices/salary, but this can also extend to valuing yourself as a person. Don't put yourself on sale. If you're good at what you do, you should be compensated for it fairly.

Karen mentions that Blacks spend money on brand names and liquors but don't own stock in those companies. Jews and Chinese keep their money in their community, but Blacks don't. Many prominent businesses that sell very well to the Black community are not Black-owned, and some Black entrepreneurs may be threatened by large firms in the future.

Unlike some movements, Karen doesn't advocate buying from Black owned businessesjust because of race. She says you have to have a quality Black business if you expect support. Unclean establishments, inferior quality of products, and unfriendly/weak customer service are turn-offs for anyone. For many people of other races, what they see of us on BET and film is all they have to go on to make a judgment of what we're like (right or wrong, like it or not, its the truth Ruth).

Karen talks about being excellent at work, and showing your worth as a dependable and indispensable person (see Seth Godin's Linchpin for more on this)--not a slacker. She says that others who goof off at work, come in drunk or high, etc. may not get punished for it, but (as frustrating as that is,) it's no excuse for you to lower your standards.

The concepts that Karen discusses in this book are not new. Her inspiration, Nannie Helen Burroughs wrote Twelve Things the Negro Must Do way back in 1890.That's over a hundred years ago and in the past two decades, Tavis Smiley has written about it, and so have Bill Cosby and countless others. When are we going to listen?

Calling a Spade a Spade
Karen Hunter's book "Stop Being Niggardly" loudly urges blacks to Stop all of the marching, all of the complaining and rise to action and fix what is wrong in our lives and our communities. This book is at its inspirational best when it talks about the "Quite Heroes" in our community and the need to "Write down the dream" in regards to setting goals and a plan of action. "Stop Being Niggardly" is filled with solid points to consider, statics to back up assertions and historical references for perspective.

Early on in the book Karen Hunter states that anger was her impetus for writing this book, and the book does reflect that anger along with her frustration in powerful lines such as, "I believe that black folks worry so much about what people are saying and calling us, but spend little time on what we are saying and calling each other and even less time on building out communities."

Karen Hunter doesn't just 'Bring It' when it comes to Black America, she also mixes it up with jaded Americans in general. When she isn't lamenting on her life experiences she is calling a spade a spade. "People don't know that a majority of Mexicans are of African descent." Karen Hunter's bookdeals with many topics and subjects, but she is deft enough to push people to embrace and value who they are. Karen Hunter knows that the truth tellers of the world are not eagerly received, but she shows true courage when she writes, "We complain about the images of us in movies, yet when we get an opportunity to produce movies, what do we put out: Soul Plane? And, sorry, I love your heart, Tyler Perry, but you're part of the problem."

In the book's most thoughtful moments Karen Hunter speaks of Martin Luther King and his dream, and his lack of and action plan, but many of the points in her book line up directly with the philosophy of Malcolm X, especially on having an economic power base. Ms. Hunter's book/guidebook cleverly covers many topics and it moves smooth and quickly. Often her book speaks of life instances where she had to humble herself, but at times the tone of the book is elevated.

"Stop Being Niggardly" also takes time out to present a historical perspective, "When filmmaking began, the assault on the black image was heightened. Birth of a Nation, praised as one of the best films ever made is a Ku Klux Klan-- inspired movie depicting blacks as savage, childlike, and inhuman beings that needed to be stopped and controlled."

As an added bonus "Niggardly" contains a reprinting of Nannie Helen Boroughs' book, 12 Things the Negro must do to Improve Himself, with a commentary by Karen Hunter. Karen Hunter deserves a large amount of credit when it comes to telling us all like it is. Stop Being Niggardly: And Nine Other Things Black People Need to Stop Doing is a good book that you need to have on your bookshelf, as it appeals to all races because truth knows no color, or boundaries. ... Read more

Product Description
This is a wide-ranging account of the complex relations between Black communities and popular media, analysing the ways in which Black communities have been portrayed in film and television and considering the contribution made by Black media professionals. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (6)

4 1/2 Hearts from TRS!
"Ms. Smith has created a dynamic and highly entertaining erotica story that is filled with raw, passionate sex, and a sense of intimacy that is enthralling. The plot revolves around the sexual journey as well as the relationship between two people as they each satisfy their desires while giving pleasure to their dreams. The sexual exploits are shocking, riveting, and spellbinding as Kit and Emma embark on a carnal journey by using a variety of sexual positions, partners, and sex acts to pleasure each other. Yet even as the sex heats up the author subtly demonstrates time and time again the love that Kit and Emma have for each other. Emma is an adventurous, free-spirited beauty with an extreme emotional depth that will grab the reader's attention. Kit is also an adventurous, but strong-willed character with a touch of vulnerability that readers will find endearing. The love these two find is real, intense, and true to their needs, desires and spirit. Readers should be aware this book is erotica -- plain and simple, not a romance. The sex is graphic, edgy with a no-holds-barred intensity that is kinky and sinfully decadent. If you are a fan of erotica you don't want to miss Up to No Good!" - Shannon

Erotica with Variety
If you like to read erotica with variety then this is the book for you. There is a lot of sex in this book and each scene is very different. Up To No Good includes m/f, f/f, threesomes with m/m/f and f/f/m, voyeurism, stranger sex, a gang bang, and much more. Somehow throughout all of this there is real love between Emma and Kit. Granted it's not the average love, but their affection for each other is obvious throughout the book.

Some reviewers complained that the sex was degrading, but I don't agree. Kit does call the shots some of the time, telling Emma to have sex with many other men and watching while she does it. However, Emma is a very willing participant. She initiates the acts almost as often as he does. There are a few words I wouldn't want to hear that are cried out in the throws of passion, but they are far and few between and can also be found in most other books of this genre. Basically if you like many different types of erotica you'll love this book. If you're unsure about what you like this is a good book to help you figure it out as it has a little bit of everything.

I loved it!!!Must Read!
I have read many Black Lace books and out of all of the these (nearly 40) I have only found a handful of writers that inspired me to become a faithful and devoted fan, Karen Smith is one of those rare jewels in the erotic industry.I truly enjoy a novel that is layered with both erotica and intimacy and Up To No Good encompasses this.The writer manages to pack in tons of sex in varieties of ways that will sometimes shock someone that is not a true erotica fan, but she does this while simultaneously creating lovable and deep characters that find a rare and intense love for each other.This book made me laugh and even tear up in some of the sweet scenes.Smith's main character Emma is an adventerous and fun character though not shallow like many of the black lace characters I have read before, and the leading man is sexy, vulnerable and strong all at the same time.If you are new to erotica, I would suggest you read this with the understanding that this is not a romance novel, and be prepared for more graphic and fetish type sex; If you are well versed in erotica then I know you will love this.Karen Smith's writing style reminds me of an Emma Holly in the making, and I cannot wait to read more of her! (If you are into erotica you must know who Emma Holly is, and if you want a top notch intro into erotic go pick up anything written by her and you will definitly be hooked!)

"no good" was good for me!
unlike the other reviewers, i greatly enjoyed "up to no good". the book offers a delightfully encyclopedic variety of sex acts/positions/partners, and relates the protagonist's sensations in satisfying detail.i found several other black lace books less well-written (esp. the abysmal "drawn together"), as well as irritatingly vague and sexually unimaginative, faults "up to no good" can not be described as sharing.

Up to no good at all, in fact
Although it says this is erotica by women for women, it reads more like something written by a freshman horn-dog for his frat brothers. It's hard to believe a woman got anywhere near this book. It's not just that the sex is degrading, or unrealistic for a woman, or that the writing is so bad ... more that the writer doesn't leave any space in the scene for you to participate as a reader. The whole sensuous, erotic, passionate element is missing. Try elsewhere. ... Read more

Product Description
When Franklin Roosevelt was elected president in 1932, Atlanta had the South's largest population of college-educated African Americans. The dictates of Jim Crow meant that these men and women were almost entirely excluded from public life, but as Karen Ferguson demonstrates, Roosevelt's New Deal opened unprecedented opportunities for black Atlantans struggling to achieve full citizenship.

Black reformers, often working within federal agencies as social workers and administrators, saw the inclusion of African Americans in New Deal social welfare programs as a chance to prepare black Atlantans to take their rightful place in the political and social mainstream. They also worked to build a constituency they could mobilize for civil rights, in the process facilitating a shift from elite reform to the mass mobilization that marked the postwar black freedom struggle.

Although these reformers' efforts were an essential prelude to civil rights activism, Ferguson argues that they also had lasting negative repercussions, embedded as they were in the politics of respectability. By attempting to impose bourgeois behavioral standards on the black community, elite reformers stratified it into those they determined deserving to participate in federal social welfare programs and those they consigned to remain at the margins of civic life. ... Read more

Product Description
Fifteen years ago Trudy Banta and her colleagues surveyed the national landscape for the campus examples that were published in the classic work Assessment in Practice. Since then, significant advances have occurred, including the use of technology to organize and manage the assessment process and increased reliance on assessment findings to make key decisions aimed at enhancing student learning. Trudy Banta, Elizabeth Jones, and Karen Black offer 49 detailed current examples of good practice in planning, implementing, and sustaining assessment that are practical and ready to apply in new settings. This important resource can help educators put in place an effective process for determining what works and which improvements will have the most impact in improving curriculum, methods of instruction, and student services on college and university campuses. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Perfect condition
The book was in excellent condition and arrived in a timely manner ... Along with an excellent price ... I would buy more from this seller! ... Read more

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F

Birthed at the popular open-mic series, La Parole, T Dot Griots is an intimate journey through previously undocumented Canadian experiences, reporting from Toronto's black communities in fiction, poetry, articles, plays and songs. The book features contributions by over forty writers of African descent, either raised in or residing in Toronto.

The griot is a West African storyteller, traditionally responsible for presiding over all of the important milestones in the life a community. T Dot Griots is a window into the communities occupied by black Canadian artists depicting their experiences living in the African diaspora. The griot carried the important function of preserving the community's history and culture through songs and recitations. Now transported across the Atlantic Ocean, non-traditional methods of expression emerge to document the existence of a little known group of people: the black community of Toronto.

Toronto is widely acknowledged as the world's most culturally diverse city. T Dot Griots was produced to portray the rich cultural diversity existing within its African communities. The anthology brings together spoken word poets and PhD's, hip hop artists and playwrights, students and professionals. The book voices issues of racial inequality and immigrant experiences. It illustrates numerous spiritual vantage points and political commentaries. Most of all it is an unapologetically accurate representation of an ever growing canon of writers making Toronto their home, who wish to acknowledge the many facets of African-Canadian identity.

Immerse yourself in the words, work and life of East, West and Southern Africans. Plunge into the hybridized dialect of Caribbean natives and descendents. Wade through generations of celebrated cast of Toronto's outspoken voices. Listen to the T Dot Griot tell the tale of the ages in a proudly Canadian style. ... Read more

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Key Stage 1 work on life processes should be related to pupils' knowledge of animals in the local environment. Children should understand that animals move, feed, grow, use their senses and reproduce; that living things can be grouped according to observable similarities and differences; and that there are different kinds of animals in the local environment. This look at black widow spiders is one of a series focusing on minibeasts. It covers size, appearance, birth and reproduction, growth, feeding, predators, life-span, movement, and different types. The book includes simple questions based on the information provided. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Neat Series for Emerging Readers
This is our first encounter with the Bug Book/Heinemann First Library series and I have to say, it's quite an interesting little read ideally geared toward emerging readers (5-7).Each page contains a minimum of one large sized photo which serves to give the reader an up close look at the black widow spider and also often helps to illustrate what the text is explaining.The text itself is informative and brief (as it should be for emerging readers) and it takes up no more than 1/3 of the page (it is also fairly large making it double easy for emerging readers to be able to read this text on their own)."Chapters" include basic information like size, habitat, mating, food, and even a section briefly detailing how black widow spiders are special. One niggle of a complaint I feel needs addressing, the text does have a glossary, but there are a number of terms that emerging readers might not understand as they are going through which means that as often as 4 times per page the reader may have to flip to the back to consult the glossary...my recommendation is to have your child/student read the glossary first and discuss the terms a bit BEFORE reading the text so that he or she doesn't have to flip back and fourth as much as emerging readers that are still struggling with retaining what they read, this could be problematic.

Overall, I think this (and probably other book in this series) is a fine starting place for emerging readers (ages 5-7) to learn more about black widow spiders.Included in the book is a glossary, a photo diagram (labeling the body parts of the spider, cutely named "black widow spider map"), additional reading (very brief) and even an index (also quite brief...but given that the book is only 32 pages, that sees appropriate).I give Black Widow Spiders 4 stars and my son looks forward to reading more in this series.
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