Kam Williams

Faith in the Fire: Wisdom for Life by Dr. Gardner C. Taylor

Friday, 19 August 2011 12:05 Book Review by Kam Williams

“Amazingly, many people of faith and members of the reading public have not heard of Gardner Taylor or his accomplishments. Publication of Faith in the Fire attempts to rectify this by providing an accessible introduction to Dr. Taylor’s enduring wisdom...

In 1948, Taylor became pastor of the Concord Baptist Church of Brooklyn, the church where he earned his reputation as a champion fighter for social justice and community uplift, and received acclaim as one of the great preachers in American history… Faith in the Fire: Wisdom for Life adds a unique contribution to Dr. Taylor’s legacy by attempting to gather his philosophical gems and present them in a fashion that readers can easily access.” -Excerpted from the Introduction (pgs xii-xxi)

The End of Anger: A New Generation’s Take on Race and Rage

Monday, 27 June 2011 15:12 Book Review by Kam Williams

“The End of Anger is an exploration of why it is that many Black are feeling optimistic these days… [This] is a book about success—about a particularly privileged, even indulged, group of African-Americans whose experiences in many respects are far from the norm… In January 2009, on the eve of President Barack Obama’s inauguration, a CNN poll found that 69% of Black agreed that Martin Luther King’s vision had been fulfilled… The election of an African-American president was a Rubicon to be crossed… No longer are there any excuses for denying Black anything or for Black denying themselves the opportunity to aim as high as they wish.” -- Excerpted from the Introduction (pgs. 1-10)

What a difference a generation makes! When Ellis Cose first conducted a study of Black graduates of elite academic institutions back in 1994, he encountered a set of relatively-prospering folks who were nonetheless frustrated about the obstacles they encountered as they endeavored to ascend the corporate ladder.

I Can Finish College

Thursday, 02 June 2011 16:29 Book Review by Kam Williams

“Almost half of the students who get into college do not graduate… Students who succeed have what is known as Emotional Intelligence. This means that they are resilient and know how to face obstacles, manage time, take advantage of resources, build networks, become self-aware, become self-confident, learn from every experience, focus on personal aspirations, and take responsibility for themselves…
You can succeed and finish college if you learn how these institutions work and how they can work for you. This book is meant to help you do just that. The goal is your graduation.” - Excerpted from the Introduction (pg.7)

Fail Up: 20 Lessons on Building Success from Failure

Friday, 29 April 2011 14:17 Kam Williams

“If they’re being honest, most people who have ever succeeded in any human endeavor will tell you they learned more from their failures than they ever learned from their successes… Failure is an inevitable part of the human condition… Through my scars I have been blessed to arrive at a place I never imagined... When you take the time to learn your lessons, when you use those lessons as stepping-stones to climb even higher than you were before, you transcend failure—you ‘fail up.’ In this book, I detail 20 of the most impactful lessons of my life… I’m a witness. You CAN fail up!” (Excerps from the Introduction, pgs. ix-xvii)

A Reason to Believe: Lessons from an Improbable Life

Friday, 15 April 2011 10:58 Book Review - by Kam Williams

“My life is often described as ‘improbable’ because I grew up in a broken home and in poverty… Of course, I acknowledge the unlikelihood of my good fortune. I also recognize the hard work and discipline that have made it possible.

But above all, I cherish and celebrate the many people who have taken moments to enlighten me, to renew my ideals, and to spur me to action. There have been teachers and preachers, supervisors and colleagues, friends and family… who through their words or deeds have delivered transcendent messages about life, faith and friendship… They have made all the difference. This book is a tribute to them.” (Excerpts from the Preface, pgs. 3-4)

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