Review by Choice Review
Using a sample of 240 black women in the Tidewater, Virginia, area, Barnes (an anthropologist and author of numerous articles about black families) explores interpersonal relationships among black women in their workplaces, homes, and communities. The book begins with a review of the literature and a description of the databases and methodology employed in the study. The next three chapters are presentations of the findings; the last two contain a summary and suggestions for change. There is also an extensive bibliography. Even though the review of the literature is sketchy and the chapters on the workplace and the community show few sharp contrasts to existing studies, the book is not without importance. Most existing literature reinforces the notion that black women are simply pillars of strength, not real people with emotional needs. In chapter 3, Barnes presents data that provide rare and important insight into the emotional lives of black women. The book is not well produced-the type is too small-but its content is easy to understand. Community college students or lower-division undergraduates.-D. Harriford, William Paterson College of New Jersey
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Choice Review
