Come On People - Cosby & Poussaint - Overview

A few weeks ago, plezWorld was contacted by the promoters of the new book by Dr. Bill Cosby and Dr. Alvin Poussaint, "Come On People," which combines messages of personal responsibility with practical solutions, and retells the stories that have been included at community call-outs in cities across the country for the past three years. In exchange for a review copy of the book, plezWorld has agreed to write an honest review of the book.

I am not a professional book reviewer and my command of the English language is up for debate in some quarters, but I agree with the tag line for the book: "No matter your economic status, no matter your age, no matter your race, no matter your gender, and no matter your religion, we are all allies in changing our future for the better." I have taken on the task of writing a review for the book. My wife has also read the book, so there is an opportunity for a Guest Blog with her perspective on the book. In posts over the next two weeks, plezWorld will review a different chapter in the book:

1. What's Going On with Black Men?
2. It Takes a Community
3. We All Start Out as Children
4. Teach Your Children Well
5. The Media You Deserve
6. Healthy Hears and Minds
7. The High Price of Violence
8. From Poverty to Prosperity

Overview: This appears to be a self-help book on how America (specifically, Black America) must take a long hard look on what we've learned from our past and how to translate that legacy into solutions of success for our collective futures. These solutions translate well for ALL of America, but the book concentrates its focus on the Black community which needs this help the most.

If you'd like a preview, here are links to three downloadable PDF's of excerpts from "Come On People":
We All Start Out As Children (pages 77 - 88)
Teach Your Children Well (pages 124 - 132)
Healthy Hearts and Minds (page 168 - 174)

At www.BillCosby.com you can purchase copies of the book and you will find a forum called "The Cos," that is designed for community members to discuss issues beyond those addressed in the book, as well as a place for people to come together and offer solutions.