On Her Own Ground

The Life and Times of Madam C.J. Walker

By: A'Lelia Bundles

Narrated by: A'Lelia Bundles

Now a Netflix series starring Octavia Spencer, Self Made (formerly titled On Her Own Ground) is the first full-scale biography of “one of the great success stories of American history” (The Philadelphia Inquirer), Madam C.J. Walker - the legendary African American entrepreneur and philanthropist - by her great-great-granddaughter, A’Lelia Bundles.

The daughter of slaves, Madam C.J. Walker was orphaned at seven, married at 14, and widowed at 20. She spent the better part of the next two decades laboring as a washerwoman for $1.50 a week. Then - with the discovery of a revolutionary hair care formula for Black women - everything changed. By her death in 1919, Walker managed to overcome astonishing odds: Building a storied beauty empire from the ground up that would be run by four generations of Walker women until its sale in 1985, amassing wealth unprecedented among Black women, and devoting her life to philanthropy and social activism. Along the way, she formed friendships with great 20th-century political figures such as W.E.B. Du Bois and Booker T. Washington.

“A’Lelia Bundles always knew, on some level, that this story was hers to tell. And she tells it with a controlled passion and an integrity that would have made Madam Walker proud” (The Atlanta Journal-Constitution). “Well-paced and well-written...as much social history as biography, filled with the detail and texture of culture and politics” (The New York Times), Self Made is enriched by the author’s exclusive access to personal letters and records from the family collection. Bundles also showcases Walker’s complex relationship with her daughter, A’Lelia Walker, a celebrated hostess of the Harlem Renaissance and renowned friend to both Langston Hughes and Zora Neale Hurston.

“More than a history lesson in her rise to fame, On Her Own Ground offers inspiration to women - regardless of race - on how to succeed against all odds” (Chicago Sun-Times).

©2001 A'Lelia Bundles (P)2020 Simon & Schuster Audio

tedious telling

I wish this incredible story was told in a less stilted and tedious way. I persisted in listening because the historical details were important and interesting, but so disappointed with the telling.
I actually listened at 1.25 speed, and that made it more bearable

Loved it!

I loved how in depth it went. We only learn about the top layer of Madam C. J. Walker's life but this book gives you more. I could see everything that she was saying. How could you not root for Madam C. J. Walker!

Great content & well researched subject matter

Excellent story! In depth and well written. Nothing like the Netflix movie which was very “Disney” like. This is the real, true story of a phenomenal human being. My only wish is that the Author had hired a professional narrator. Her reading was OK but entirely too dramatic. Emphasis on random words/phrases made it border on a comical reading. Still, I highly recommend it.

Much better than the mini series.

Enjoyed listening to the history of a lesser known American or at least one that didn't show up in my history books as a child. Too bad the movie from this title didn't stay true to her life story which was way more interesting.

Well Written History.

I throughly enjoyed reading Bundles’s work. It is a must read for anyone interested in a scholarly, yet entertaining account of the life and times of Madam Walker. The author does her ancestor much justice in demonstrating her role as major player in early 20th century race leadership and uplift.

Interesting read

The performance and text of this story was enlightening. Taught me a lot about what growing up in the South as a black female was like. Painful at times but overall l enjoyed the book. I did feel there was far more attention given to the amount of money made than needed for the story to be told. Narration was even and enjoyable. I would recommend for a glimpse into history.

Great Story

I loved hearing all the history of this time period. Black women been bad ass.

sueb

enjoyed reading about madame walker but found the reader voice annoying... very monotone and lacked decent expression. the reader was more of a documentary and an auto biography. highly recommend another version of the same book.

True Facts

I enjoyed listening to this book and learning the true facts that were left out of the Netflix series. If you are at all interested in facts over dramatic license, this is a must read! This time period does not get enough truthful evaluation so this book is also an invaluable work from a historical perspective. Read it!

I loved it!

I loved it! Author and reader A'Lelia Bundles is thorough in her writing. she paints a clear picture of CJ Walker's life and the racial environment in which Ms Walker lived. If you want information more specific to CJ Walker with less information about the racial climate, then I recommend the African Americans of Achievement book about her, also by A'Lelia Bundles. If you want to know as much as possible, then this is the book. Or just get both, my personal choice.