October - December 2003
 Faith, Courage, and Wisdom:
A Journey to Manhood
by Nevlynn L., Sr. Johnson
In today's time there's no escaping the plight of our youth. We're steadily dealing with declining apathy to strengthening the community, and other related problems associated with the disintegrating of the Black family. I neglected to mention the importance of how self-embodiment is ethically involved in the aforementioned. So much so that Nevlynn Johnson in his new book, Faith, Courage, and Wisdom takes us through a spiritual and guiding labyrinth of truisms associated with the narration of opinionated views in telling a poignant story. He manages to do it using biblical verse and analogies to forge truths manifested in a style that is written with personal reflections to illustrate his point(s).
This is a story of a man finding himself and injecting the meaning of self-awareness to get to levels that would show how reaching that possible dream of manhood can be attainable. Using salient references to having to deal with being fatherless in Michigan, problems coming of age in Louisville, Kentucky, and all of the ill-will with finding balance amid strife, gives this book much more weight when reading it for its intrinsic value. The lessons learned here is being able to follow a transcript for success using God's plan for salvation in achieving satisfying results. It's about renewal and rebirth, about reclaiming and reassurances....it's about what should be done to give one new leases on life.
To this effect, the author really sells his points by giving us autobiographical sketches on this trip in reflective narrations. I really enjoyed reading this book. His story is much like that of many of our urban poor with so many loose cannons and misguided plans that are apropos to their individual surroundings. We harken back to stories of children raised by single mothers, sorry fathers leaving their families, overt racism in society and in the school systems, and street violence that divide our neighborhoods. All of this affected this author. He tells it all as he discusses his surviving those mean streets and divided loyalties.
How does one overcome those trials and tribulations? How did Mr. Johnson cope with his problematic issues? Why did he feel so adamant in telling this story? The answers are beautifully interwoven in a prose that truly makes this more than a page-turner's delight. I love the way he gave just the right hints of personal commitment and the collaboration of different forces to forge the sum of a greater whole. Giving all the glory to God is only part of the story, but from what I gathered, the real definition of perseverance and a doggedly stubborn resolve to rise above mediocrity added substance to the pot.
The book is divided into six parts with the chapters titled appropriately to depict thematic overtones for each transforming stage of his life. In all, there are 31 haunting chapters. This is a well put together book that will bring stability and a sense of belonging for any young person to emulate, and for all older people to use as a blue print in involving the spiritual, and the self-edification of knowing who you are to bring about change. I'm always in search of better ways to educate, bring about reclaiming that which is lost to anybody that can use meaningful example(s) to wrought new beginnings. If reading this book to make differences in our youth making the right choices, then it would be well-served to use it for what it was intended. Thank you Nevlynn Johnson. Your journey was well worth the time I took to read your story...and hope that others read it for what it's worth!
Reviewed by Alvin C. Romer c/o The GRITS Online Reading Club
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