Step By Step: A Memoir of Living the American Dream by Bertie Bowman
By Beverly Jackson • Nov 14th, 2009 • Category: Book Review 2009 •
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In Step By Step: A Memoir of Living the American Dream by Bertie Bowman, we learn how a 13 year-old black boy left his home in Summerton, South Carolina in 1944 and claimed the American dream for himself. Bowman heard South Carolina Senator Burnet Maybank state, “If you all ever get up to Washington, D.C., drop by and see me.” Never mind that Senator Maybank was addressing a white crowd, this was all the impetus Bowman needed to leave his father’s farm and the drudgery of farming, which he did not want to be his life career. Bowman takes on his extraordinary journey from sweeping the steps of the U.S. Capitol to being the hearing coordinator for the Senate Relations Committee.
During the 60 years the memoir covers, Bowman is an eyewitness for the events that have shaped our country; death of FDR, Civil Rights Movement, Vietnam, and Watergate and learned all about the backroom dealings of politics. One of the interesting aspects of the book was Bowman’s relationships with some of the staunchest segregationists of his time. While many may not agree with these relationships, you will admire his integrity and respect that existed on both sides of these relationships.
This is an inspiring story with life lessons we can all learn from. Bowman bases his success on hard work, taking responsibility, a positive outlook and expecting and giving the best to people. I recommend this book to all readers who enjoy reading memoirs.
Reviewed by Beverly
APOOO BookClub
Visit amazon to order a copy of Step by Step.
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Beverly Jackson is is a recent transplant to the Charlotte, North Carolina area. She is an avid reader, and there are very few times you will catch her without a book. Several years ago, she changed her dining room into a library with wall to ceiling bookshelves. She loves sharing her enthusiasm for reading with others and writing book reviews is a way she shares her thoughts. For the last twenty years, she has worked in the technology field for an international consulting firm, but is easing her way into retirement. Her biggest accomplishment is raising two daughters to be productive citizens of society, and they have blessed her with five wonderful grandchildren. Some of her other interest are traveling, watching sports and practicing yoga. And her latest toy is her Kindle which allows her to carry around her library in her purse.
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