With Ossie and Ruby

In This Life Together

By: Ossie Davis, Ruby Dee

Narrated by: Ruby Dee, Ossie Davis

This captivating and inspiring autobiography tells the story of a Hollywood power couple that dominated the screen and championed civil rights issues for decades.

Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee: legendary stars of the American stage, television, and film, a beloved and revered couple cherished not just for their acting artistry but also for their lifelong commitment to civil rights, family values, and the black community. Now they look back on a half- century of their personal and political struggles to maintain a healthy marriage and to create the record of distinguished accomplishment that earned each a Presidential Medal for Lifetime Achievement in the Arts.

With Ossie and Ruby overflows with consummate storytelling skill developed by decades in the spotlight. From their early years as struggling actors in Harlem's black theater to Broadway and Hollywood stardom, they regale the reader with colorful, entertaining tales of the places they've been and the people they've met. But their charming humor is leavened with a more serious side, as they share their experiences of keeping a family together in a world where scandal and divorce is the rule, and of being artists and political activists in an era of intense racial ferment. Born into the struggle, their characters were shaped by the dynamic collisions of life, politics, and art; and from those experiences, they achieved some sense of their worth as married people, friends, and lovers. Warm, positive, and compelling, this is a book that will surprise and challenge readers everywhere -- black and white, male and female, young and old. Lifting the veil of public image, media hype, and mystique, Ossie and Ruby speak of the real-life dilemmas and rewards of their lifelong search for purpose and value.

"They both keep the material fresh, which could be hard to do when talking about one's own life. This is an immensely captivating dual memoir and a real audio treasure, especially poignant since Davis has since passed away. The listener comes away with a true sense of the essence of these lives, the things that were and are important to them, and their accomplishments." -- AudioFile Magazine

" . . . this is a compelling read, effectively evoking the challenges and rewards that have attended the authors' roles as black leaders . . . " -- Publishers Weekly, October 1998

"By turns sassy and sage . . . full of razor-sharp observations on who business, politics, race and love." -- Ebony

"Consistently lively, witty and insightful." -- USA Today

This was a visit to my grandparents house

This was a visit to my grandparents house hearing a story I didn’t even have to ask to hear. I loved every second!

Enjoyable Listening and Learning

There is so much for young and old to learn from "With Ossie and Ruby" about personal character, history, race relations, marriage, and the entertainment industry. Listening was thoroughly delightful because of the extraordinary vocal performances of Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee telling their own life stories.

Let The Circle Continue

As I was reading my hardback version, I felt it would be great if I could hear the words via Ossie and Ruby.
Both are keepers and highly recommended.

If I could have met you and had a cup of coffee together.

This was like getting to know on a deeper level due to the generation the grandfathers I never met or grandmothers that never talked. Mr Ossie and Mrs. Ruby voices were like a warm hug as I listen them on my way to work, on my lunch break and driving home from work. I gave me something to look forward to like upcoming trip to a place you’ve been. I love them and didn’t get see them in a play however introduced to them via television and the movies. I’m trying to find everything I can on them....another sweet piece of Our history.

Performances

This is a superb selection not to be missed. Its stoked in historical, cultural, and biographical revelations. Amazing!!!