The color of water: a black man's tribute to his white mother
(Book)

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Published:
New York : Riverhead Books, 2006.
Format:
Book
Edition:
First Riverhead trade paperback 10th anniversary edition.
Physical Desc:
xix, 308 pages ; 21 cm
Lexile measure:
1140L
Status:

Description

Who was Ruth McBride Jordan? Not even her son knew the answer to that question until he embarked on a twelve-year journey that changed himself and his family forever. Born Rachel Deborah Shilsky, she began life as the daughter of an angry, failed orthodox Jewish rabbi in the South. To escape her unhappy childhood, Ruth ran away to Harlem, married a black man, became Baptist and started an all-black church. Her son James tells of growing up with inner confusions, chaos, and financial hardships; of his own flirtation with drugs and violence; of the love and faith his mother gave her twelve children; and of his belated coming to terms with her Jewish heritage. The result is a powerful portrait of growing up, a meditation on race and identity, and a poignant, beautifully crafted hymn from a son to his mother.

Also in This Series

Copies

Location
Call Number
Status
Durham Adult Biography
B MCBRIDE
Due Jul 24, 2025
Hamden/Miller Adult Biography
B/MCBRIDE
On Shelf
Hamden/Miller Adult Biography
B/MCBRIDE
On Shelf
Hamden/Whitneyville Adult Biographies
B/MCBRIDE
Due Jul 14, 2025
North Haven Adult Biography
Biography McBride, James
Billed
Norwich/Otis Adult Biographies
BIO MCBRIDE
On Shelf
Wallingford Adult Biographies
B MCBRIDE JAMES MC
On Shelf
West Haven Main Adult Biography
B MCBRIDE [JAMES]
On Shelf
West Haven Main Adult Biography
B MCBRIDE [JAMES]
Billed
West Haven Ora Mason Adult Biography
B MCBRIDE [JAMES]
Due Jul 28, 2025
Woodbridge Young Adult Non Fiction
YA B MCBRIDE
Missing

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Other Editions and Formats

More Details

Language:
English
ISBN:
159448192X
Accelerated Reader:
UG
Level 6.1, 11 Points
Lexile measure:
1140

Notes

General Note
Originally published: 1997.

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Citations

APA Citation (style guide)

McBride, J. (2006). The color of water: a black man's tribute to his white mother. First Riverhead trade paperback 10th anniversary edition. Riverhead Books.

Chicago / Turabian - Author Date Citation (style guide)

McBride, James, 1957-. 2006. The Color of Water: A Black Man's Tribute to His White Mother. Riverhead Books.

Chicago / Turabian - Humanities Citation (style guide)

McBride, James, 1957-, The Color of Water: A Black Man's Tribute to His White Mother. Riverhead Books, 2006.

MLA Citation (style guide)

McBride, James. The Color of Water: A Black Man's Tribute to His White Mother. First Riverhead trade paperback 10th anniversary edition. Riverhead Books, 2006.

Note! Citation formats are based on standards as of July 2022. Citations contain only title, author, edition, publisher, and year published. Citations should be used as a guideline and should be double checked for accuracy.

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Grouped Work ID:
6e4c9205-6fb1-dcb5-c77d-a1f0534d4fa1
Go To Grouped Work

Record Information

Last Sierra Extract TimeJul 01, 2025 05:10:47 AM
Last File Modification TimeJul 01, 2025 05:15:39 AM
Last Grouped Work Modification TimeJul 05, 2025 10:18:25 PM

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