Life on the Color Line: The True Story of a White Boy Who Discovered He Was Black
2,641 ratings by Goodreads
Language: English
Published by Plume, 1996
- Softcover
- Used

Seller: clickgoodwillbooks, Indianapolis, IN, U.S.A.clickgoodwillbooks
4-star seller
AbeBooks seller since July 5, 2024
Softcover
Condition: Used - Fair
US$ 3.45
US$ 3.99 shipping
Ships within U.S.A.
Quantity: 2 available
Add to basketFree 30-day returns
Item description from seller
Used - Acceptable: All pages and the cover are intact, but shrink wrap, dust covers, or boxed set case may be missing. Pages may include limited notes, highlighting, or minor water damage but the text is readable. Item may be missing bundled media.
Seller Inventory # CSIV.0452275334.A
- Title
- Life on the Color Line: The True Story of a White Boy Who Discovered He Was Black
- Author
- Williams, Gregory Howard
- Publisher
- Plume
- Publication year
- 1996
- Condition
- acceptable
- Binding
- Soft cover
- Language
- English
- ISBN 10
- 0452275334
- ISBN 13
- 9780452275331
“Heartbreaking and uplifting… a searing book about race and prejudice in America… brims with insights that only someone who has lived on both sides of the racial divide could gain.”—Cleveland Plain Dealer
“A triumph of storytelling as well as a triumph of spirit.”—Alex Kotlowitz, award-winning author of There Are No Children Here
As a child in 1950s segregated Virginia, Gregory Howard Williams grew up believing he was white. But when the family business failed and his parents’ marriage fell apart, Williams discovered that his dark-skinned father, who had been passing as Italian-American, was half black. The family split up, and Greg, his younger brother, and their father moved to Muncie, Indiana, where the young boys learned the truth about their heritage. Overnight, Greg Williams became black.
In this extraordinary and powerful memoir, Williams recounts his remarkable journey along the color line and illuminates the contrasts between the black and white worlds: one of privilege, opportunity and comfort, the other of deprivation, repression, and struggle. He tells of the hostility and prejudice he encountered all too often, from both blacks and whites, and the surprising moments of encouragement and acceptance he found from each.
Life on the Color Line is a uniquely important book. It is a wonderfully inspiring testament of purpose, perseverance, and human triumph.
Winner of the Los Angeles Times Book Prize
“A triumph of storytelling as well as a triumph of spirit.”—Alex Kotlowitz, award-winning author of There Are No Children Here
As a child in 1950s segregated Virginia, Gregory Howard Williams grew up believing he was white. But when the family business failed and his parents’ marriage fell apart, Williams discovered that his dark-skinned father, who had been passing as Italian-American, was half black. The family split up, and Greg, his younger brother, and their father moved to Muncie, Indiana, where the young boys learned the truth about their heritage. Overnight, Greg Williams became black.
In this extraordinary and powerful memoir, Williams recounts his remarkable journey along the color line and illuminates the contrasts between the black and white worlds: one of privilege, opportunity and comfort, the other of deprivation, repression, and struggle. He tells of the hostility and prejudice he encountered all too often, from both blacks and whites, and the surprising moments of encouragement and acceptance he found from each.
Life on the Color Line is a uniquely important book. It is a wonderfully inspiring testament of purpose, perseverance, and human triumph.
Winner of the Los Angeles Times Book Prize
"Synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
About the Author
Gregory Howard Williams is an attorney, law school professor, and the former President of the University of Cincinnati (2009–2012) and the City College of New York (2001–2009). He is the author of Life on the Color Line.
"About the title" may belong to another edition of this title.
clickgoodwillbooks
Indianapolis, IN, U.S.A.
4-star seller
AbeBooks seller since July 5, 2024
Shipping rates within U.S.A.
| Item | 5 to 8 business days | 3 to 6 business days |
|---|---|---|
| First item | US$ 3.99 | US$ 9.50 |
Payment methods
Store description
About us
Our Mission: Goodwill changes lives every day by empowering people to increase their independence and reach their potential through education, health and employment.
Our services include:
Tuition-free, charter high school for grades 9-12 for students experiencing barriers to education.
Tuition-free, charter high schools for adults that focuses on removing barriers to education by offering students flexible scheduling, tutoring, life coaching, child care, transportation, college credits and other resources.
Direct hiring for Goodwill jobs, especially for job-seekers with employment barriers like a disability, criminal history or limited education.
Job readiness, training and placement for individuals with barriers.
Pre-natal and maternal health, parenting skills, child development and school readiness.
Connections to resources for transportation, housing, child care, financial literacy and more.
A child development center and preschool for children ages six weeks to five years.
Specialty
multiple genres, used booksSeller's business information
Goodwill of Central and Southern Indiana
1635 West Michigan Street
Indianapolis, IN U.S.A. 46222