News

WHO'S AFRAID OF A LARGE BLACK MAN?

Tuesday, January 31, 2006

Don't let the cheeky title, the byline, or the picture on the cover fool you: this is a serious book that's not about Charles Barkley.

Instead, this work, edited by The Washington Post and ESPN's Wilbon, is a candid collection of 13 interviews by Barkley with prominent Americans like Bill Clinton, Jesse Jackson, Tiger Woods, Morgan Freeman and comedian George Lopez on the oft-avoided subject of race . . . For all the different backgrounds and opinions, all the participants believe the racial divide in America can only be bridged with a combination of reforms to our educational, medical and economic practices and a strong self-evaluation by the African-American community. Everyone also agrees that a core group of strong black leaders must emerge for these changes to be enacted. Surprisingly, this eye-opening book might point to Barkley as just such a leader.

Publishers Weekly

In this controversial bestseller, Charles Barkley takes on the major issue of our time in a series of charged, in-your-face conversations with some of America's most prominent figures-featuring new commentary about New Orleans and the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. So upfront, so surprising, and so challenging, WHO'S AFRAID OF A LARGE BLACK MAN? sparks discussion and positions Barkley as a leader in racial reform.

"The book's strength is directly proportionate to the force of [Charles Barkley's] voice as an emerging leader of racial healing."
The Washington Post

"In his new book, Barkley interviews celebrities about the big topic-race-and his outspokenness rubs off."
The Philadelphia Inquirer

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Charles Barkley is a studio analyst for TNT's Inside the NBA, a regular contributor to CNN's TalkBack Live, and a frequent commentator on racial issues. He was recently selected by Sports Illustrated as "The #1 Most Interesting Sports Personality in the Last 25 Years." Named, "One of the Fifty Greatest NBA Players of All Time," also by Sports Illustrated, he was chosen for eleven All-Star teams and won the NBA's MVP in 1993. He lives in Scottsdale, Arizona. Michael Wilbon (editor and introduction) is The Washington Post's most popular sports columnist and the co-host of ESPN's hit show "Pardon the Interruption."

Get more News »