Book Reviews

Character Building Book Review by Mike Ramey

by Mike Ramey
10/10/20
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“We are going forward, and we shall keep going forward if we do not let these difficulties which sometimes occur discourage us.”

--Booker T. Washington, Author

“Character Building”

     The Bible.  Hard work.  Thrift.  Community investment.  Education.  Business building by men and women.  These might ‘seem’ like modern innovations.  However, if one knows their history, these items—and more—were the ‘norm’ in the old South after the Civil War and Reconstruction Era.  They were proclaimed by many but put on the record by a small number of individuals.  Booker T. Washington, former slave who grew to serve as founder of Tuskegee Institute was one of them.  While he wrote several books, a small number of people are familiar with this one: “Character Building” (1902/2019 revised, 198 pages, Kakapo Books).

     This is one of those books that is not going to be read in one afternoon.  While the chapters are short, the wisdom packed in them is relevant for today.  Washington, during his tenure as head of Tuskegee was a Christian man.  Tuskegee Institute did not shirk from its Christian roots, as Washington did not turn his back on his Christian faith.  Washington had chapel and religious studies at the Institute regularly.  “Character Building” contains many of the Sunday evening lectures or “talks” which he presented to students and faculty.  Many of the words, as one reads this work, still vibrate off the page, a source of strength today.  Washington clearly was led by the Lord in his efforts.  That’s why his teachings through this work stand tall, among a sea of small men and women.

“You are going to be greatly discouraged sometimes, but if you will heed the lesson of fighting out what you have undertaken, that same disposition will follow your all through life, and you will get a reputation, because people will say of you that there is a person who sticks to whatever he or she undertakes.”

--Booker T. Washington, Author

     While these lectures were first published in 1902, they have been published again in 2019.  The work also includes a lot of photos and background on Washington, not as a means to detract from his words, but as a ‘gift’ to the reader to know more about the man.  His views on education, race relations, religion, Jesus Christ, hard work and investment of one’s self in their community are worthy of study and implementation.  Some of the topics included in this work are: “Getting On In The World”, “A Penny Saved” and “What Would Father and Mother Say?”

     “Character Building” should be on many a bookshelf.  While it may be considered a hard-to-find item, rest assured that it is worth the effort to track it down.

     Mike Ramey is a Minister, syndicated columnist, book reviewer and consultant.  “On Line Reviews” is one of a variety of regular column titles which Ramey has in cyberspace from Barnstorm Communications International.  If you care to drop him a line, or a whine, feel free to reach him at [email protected]. ©2020 Barnstorm Communications International