I Will Not Fear

I Will Not Fear: My Story of a Lifetime of Building Faith Under Fire *****
by Melba Pattillo Beals
Overview: At 15 yrs. old, Melba was one of the nine African American students chosen to integrate Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas, in 1957. From then on, her life has been one battle after another in a time when being black and a woman is two strikes against you. She ends up achieving many great things including a doctorate, a comfortable living, fame, her own business, adopting two boys and yet troubles continue to plague her. Through her story, though, she never loses sight of God's hand in her life. And she is always asking Him what He has next for her. 

Positive elements: A powerful story! My eyes were opened to so many new things in reading this book. For example, I never thought about how hard it was to find a house to rent as an African American. It didn't matter that she was on TV and successful, she was still black and most people didn't want to be neighbors with her. And I was reminded that tough times can be blessings for our kids. Their faith becomes their own as they have to struggle through things. 

Negative elements: Each chapter ended with a moral or lesson taken from the chapter. I don't like being told what I should take away from reading a book. A good book speaks for itself. 

The book also had some disturbing themes. Later in her life, some sexual predators go after her young boys. Her house is also broken into repeatedly, and one time a man comes after her and her kids with a knife. They have to fend him off. The book isn't graphic, but those are some truly scary things to go through.

Conclusion: I can't imagine going through all the struggles that Melba faced over her lifetime. This book is truly what the subtitle says it is..."a story of a lifetime of building faith under fire."  Melba wasn't a perfect person, nor are any of us, but she was brave and a fighter. An inspiring story.

A side note, I thought this would be more about her time in Little Rock as part of integration. But I learned that years ago she wrote a different book, I Will Not Fear, about that time. This book is mainly focused on the years that followed that time.

I would recommend this book to adults.

I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.