THAT MEAN OLD YESTERDAY

Considering her tumultuous beginnings—first, as a ward of the state in foster care, then, as an adoptee in a highly dysfunctional family—Stacy Patton has truly risen above the fray. However, this is not your typical rags-to-riches memoir. The young historian raises the question of whether the race and gender violence still plaguing contemporary African-American culture is yet another legacy of slavery. Robin Miles gives a brilliant performance. She is eloquent as Patton explores both her own and her race's history. Miles makes every voice compelling—from an undereducated contemporary black to a former slave giving an oral history. This audiobook is well worth the listener's attention. P.R. © AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine [Published: NOVEMBER 2008]