Book and Screenplay Writer-
James Francis Johnson
THE BOOKS
The Education of a White Boy
ISBN-13 9781477620489
The story of racism in America is told by two opposing camps. One group is composed of the victims of racial prejudice and those sympathetic to their four-century-long plight, while the other group, usually made up of whites and Fox News pundits, pooh-poohs such talk as mere whining from losers who, at their own peril, refuse to worship at the altar of Free Market Ideology. Liberals will never say a critical thing about African-Americans, while Conservatives will deny that white people have anything to do with maintaining a racist status quo. Now, in one man, James Francis Johnson, we have someone willing to admit that he possesses all the best and worst traits of both camps.
He devotes full chapters to his new heroes, Martin Luther King, W.E.B. DuBois, Ralph Ellison, to say nothing of those who inspired him with their own stories of self-education, Malcolm X, Frederick Douglass, Richard Wright and James Baldwin. He also conveys the importance of George Orwell teaching one to develop the ability to distinguish sloppy writing, which is the product of sloppy thought, from sound composition and thus clear, honest thought. In the end, this is a love-story between the author and the books and essays – the best of the Western Canon, which, in his opinion, should include African-American writers -- that helped transform him from an ignorant, superstitious boy into an articulate, enlightened man.
WHAT REVIEWERS SAID ABOUT "THE EDUCATION OF A WHITE BOY"
Race relations in many parts of the United States are still a confusing mess, half a century after the Civil Rights Movement. A change in perspective is required in many people, and this is the sort of soul-bearing book that could help with that shift. Very well done, Mr. Johnson.
-- Veritas Vincit
I love this timely book and hope that it becomes part of the reading of every citizen of this country -no, of the globe. James Francis Johnson is a very important writer and blogger. Watch him rise, but read him now!
-- Grady Harp
It is a fascinating book dealing fairly honestly and realistically with racism, from a unique perspective. If you're interested in racism, I recommend it. Wait, you shouldn't be interested in racism at all.....
-- Owen Robinson
Johnson is a talented and powerfully gifted author that can tell real stories and relate real experiences in interesting and thought-provoking ways. If you want to reacquaint yourself with issues of race that are still ongoing (and some might say intensifying) in America today, then The Education of a White Boy is a book well worth picking up.
-- John J. Staughton
He [Johnson] explains that he is of the view that everyone exhibits characteristics of racism in certain circumstances of their lives but few are honest about it...I really enjoyed The Education of a White Boy because of the open and honest look that Johnson takes at racism not only in others, but also in himself. Everyone should read this book.
-- Robin Perron
Fake Personal Ads
ISBN-13 9781479137398
"Fake Personal Ads" is the ideal fun book to pass around at a party, to laugh at over lunch with a friend, or to just sit alone with as an amusing companion after a bad date
There are three types of people: First, those who read personal ads/dating profiles on the internet to find eternal love, or, if not that, then someone to accompany them to karaoke night at the local bar; second, those who read the personals to laugh at the exaggerated opinion people have about themselves and, worse, the unrealistic expectations about what they are looking for in a mate; and, third, those who read dating profiles to laugh at the self-promotion and then, when no one is looking, respond to the ad by claiming that they are new to internet dating, though they have been meeting hundreds of people online for the past eight years.
This book is for the second type of person, who reads personal ads for laughs.
Jim's Dictionary
ISBN-13 9781479137831
In the tradition of famed lexicographers, Samuel Johnson and Ambrose Bierce, comes James Francis Johnson, ready to give his spiritual ancestors a run for their cynical money. In this volume of Alphabetized Pessimism, the reader will discover words that take on a whole new meaning, literally, for example when Jim defines “Recognition” as “Given to a man who grows a handlebar mustache.”
Jim’s Dictionary is the ultimate leave-it-on-a-shelf-beside-the-toilet book, with its short, digestible entries. It may even encourage one to loiter a few extra minutes on the commode, which, in a one-bathroom house, may cause problems in the family. Then again, according to Jim, what is a family but a “collection of forced friendships, some of which fail?” ‘Nuff said.