Black Like Me

By: John Howard Griffin

Narrated by: Ray Childs

Length: 7 hrs and 9 mins

Publisher's summary

Writer John Howard Griffin (1920-1980) decided to perform an experiment in order to learn from the inside out how one race could withstand the second class citizenship imposed on it by another race. Through medication, he dyed his skin dark and left his family and home in Texas to find out.

The setting is the Deep South in 1959. What began as scientific research ended up changing his life in every way imaginable. When he decided the real story was in his journals, he published them, and the storm that followed is now part of American history.

As performed by Ray Childs, this first-ever recording of Black Like Me will leave each listener deeply affected. John Howard Griffin did the impossible to help bring the full effect of racism to the forefront of America's conscience.

©1989 Elizabeth Griffin-Bonazzi, Susan Griffin-Campbell, John H. Griffin, Jr., Gregory P. Griffin, and Amanda Griffin-Sanderson; 1960, 1961, 1977 John Howard Griffin (P)2004 Audio Bookshelf

Critic reviews

"No one can read it without suffering." (Dallas Morning News)
"Only the coldest of hearts could be unaffected by this story, told with dignity and warmth, conviction and steadfast honesty. Audiobooks like this can help heal wounds and open minds about racism, an issue our nation still struggles with." (AudioFile)

Very interesting experiment

What made the experience of listening to Black Like Me the most enjoyable?

Meeting all kinds of prejudice.

What about Ray Childs’s performance did you like?

Nothing special.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I felt sorry for America. I never understood why this "land of the free" has such a hard time living up to that.

Any additional comments?

I found this extremely interesting and I very much enjoyed listening.

56 years ago

I first read this book in college in 1963. It was the subject of a full semester and had a big impression on my life. For young people it is a very accurate picture of black history. For people my age, we think about how different or similar our lives were in 1959. Either way, it will touch your heart. It should be mandatory reading for every person in the country.

Enlightening

My sophomore son was reading this for literature class and I thought it sounded interesting so I bought it to listen to while in the car. What a great buy! Even if you think you are enlightened about civil rights and the movement of integration you may listen to this and realize you are not fully aware of the struggles of society on both sides of racism, how society has reached the point that it is currently and find yourself amazed with the insight shared from Griffins real life experience and perspectives. An excellent listen, it is intellectual, emotional and troubling at times and brings perspective to all sides. It is an easy book to listen to and feel. Highly recommend!!

Great book

This is one of the best books written on the effects of racism from a Caucasian perspective. No matter how much you try to explain racism and it's impact on the African American psyche some refuse to believe how devastating it can be. This man's temporary journey has challenged society to take a deeper look at this ugly stain in America's history.

Important and insightful!

This book gives a fascinating and enlightening view of the origins and need for the civil rights movement. The author does conclude that if we as a society allow the ill treatment of our black brothers and sisters to be reversed with an unforgiving rage against whites, we clearly did not learn anything. Equity is wrong headed. Moving toward toward the success of all Americans is what we should be doing. We have, as a culture worked hard to work together, and we should stand proudly, with our hands over our hearts in unity as Americans all!

Really eye opening

A definite must read for everyone!
and Ray Childs did a wonderful job
10/10 would recommend

Amazing

I love the book and narration. Gave me a better understanding to what's going on in America right now. It's a shame that after 70 years, we can still feel like second-class citizens.

Excellent

Excellent and very important read! I highly recommend this book and will hope it becomes a standard read in schools and finds its way to many discussions in book clubs.
Still absolutely shocking and immoral of the realities of how black people were severely horribly mistreated, degraded and stripped of hope. Bless those who stood for change and did not give up. This is a must read!

Classic

I read this in high school. It had a big affect on me then in 1976. It was nice to listen to it again so that I could understand the racism from the 50s. Some of the things he warned about going extreme the other way seem to be happening now. this book would be for any honest person wanting to see the other side of issues.

Laughter and Tearful

I was laughing and tearful and sometimes at the same time.
I saw the movie many years ago when I was a kid and it always stuck in my head.
I haven’t read many books and just started with Audible and I saw this book.


A inside look into people that are treated because just because of the way they look.
A must read for anyone especially white people that don’t understand.
After I listen to this book I’m gonna m see the movie again.
Good book. Thank you..