Cuz: The Life and Times of Michael A. by Danielle S. AllenMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
This book is a biography about the author's cousin Michael, and a little bit about herself Danielle as well, but the focus is on Michael. How did her smart cousin end up murdered shortly after being released from prison? The potential was there for his life to be so much more, so why did it go the way that it did?
What I liked about this book is this how it takes this life story and places it firmly into the broader story of society. Danielle Allen looks at the underlying causes that affect someone, in that point and time, in that particular place. I like this type of book, that brings in both, the personal and the whole of society. Most books don't do it as well as Allen's book does.
It is obvious from the beginning that Danielle Allen is highly educated, a professor and can write well. She was also the one who helped her cousin Michael get back on his feet once he was released from prison.
So what happened, why did it go so badly for him? We do find the answers in this book. It isn't glossed over one bit, despite the moments where one wouldn't want their family history shown. And it's not surprising that family history is not the only cause of Michael's life being too short and down the wrong path. The answers are not obvious, yet there can be understanding when given the full picture.
I received a free copy of this book at a library conference. I was not required to write a review, but felt like it and, of course, the above opinions are my own.
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