The Family Comes of Age

In This Life Together

By: Ossie Davis, Ruby Dee

Narrated by: Ossie Davis, Ruby Dee

Length: 6 hrs and 15 mins

Publisher's summary

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 listener 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 listeners 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)

©1998 Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee. All rights reserved. (P)2006 Time Warner AudioBooks

Critic reviews

"This is a compelling read, effectively evoking the challenges and rewards that have attended the authors' roles as black leaders over the past 60 years." (Publishers Weekly)

a masterful telling and recounting of the story!

These 2 souls from time on age, have provided us data, detail, drama, and the gift of their knowledge and experience as they lived out their lives and ways that have been both witnessed and w
followed d in great and appropriate ways. Is this book is worth the read and then some!

Riveting

"With Ossie and Ruby" offers an intimate glimpse into the lives and remarkable partnership of Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee, two influential figures in American theater, film, and civil rights activism. I appreciate their powerful storytelling and the depth of their experiences, which spanned from their early struggles to their accomplishments on stage and screen. The book celebrates their enduring love and the profound impact they had on both the entertainment industry and the fight for social justice. It offers valuable insights, inspiration, and a unique perspective on their remarkable lives.

Excellent

I read the book 20 years ago learned, enjoyed, cried, laughed and was upset in parts. Ozzie Davis & Ruby Dee were a very dynamic couple . A friend told me their book was available on audible I was excited and just finished listening , hearing their voices was like having them in my living room telling their story. I recommend reading the book first and then listening to the book on audible.

Excellent!

Very inspirational and inspiring! Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee are great storytellers. They are a great example of teamwork.