A review by mmccombs
The Message by Ta-Nehisi Coates

informative reflective medium-paced

4.5

Truly so impactful and well written. While I sometimes lost the thread between sections (and honestly feel like his section on Palestine could have been a whole book in its own right), I loved how he brought these seemingly distant places together through a perspective of shared struggle. His prose just strikes through the center of each topic he addresses, there is no dancing around or obscurity, only honest storytelling. I really appreciated where he said he was wrong and where he learned more, and how he learned more, I think this provides a great model for writers, journalists, and the everyday reader. 
My only complaint was the note on the sources section, I feel very apprehensive about putting sources in a separate place, requiring folks to navigate to a website that may eventually cease to exist. In a book that felt so thoroughly researched and that heavily focused on his connection to ancestors and writers who came before him, this choice felt very weird and thoughtless. 
Aside from this random issue, I believe this is a must read for almost anyone, it is accessible, honest, compassionate, and straight to the point, providing a necessary perspective on our collective role to responsibly witness and share each others’ stories.

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