The Pride (372 pages, 2005, fiction) by Wallace Ford. I know it’s what inside those counts, but I felt this book should have been leather bound, and the title written in gold leaf in a fancy script. The original cover just does not do the book justice. The Pride is the name given to a social organization of African Americans that is composed of some of the most prestigious, respected professionals in New York City. “Investment bankers, corporate executives, government officials, We stalked the majestic canyons of Wall Street and prowled the murderous halls and treacherous boardrooms of corporate America. And have more than survived, we have prevailed and succeeded beyond our wildest dreams, entrepreneurs and assorted professionals who were determined to make it in America” (11). This story focuses on four individuals who are the most successful players in Wall Street and the financial market. They are sometimes friends and occasionally enemies and lovers “You know the old expression about holding your friends close and your enemies closer” (313). The book is told with multiple points of view and has a slow-moving but steady, intriguing plot. Although they are affluent and intelligent entrepreneurs, they have their fair share of secrets and skeletons in their closets. “She KNEW ME TOO WELL. And she knew that Jerome Hardaway that she met twenty something years ago, would not be in control. But times do change and so do people” (329). What I enjoyed most about the book was that it didn’t portray the characters as drama or trouble free just because they were successful professionally. They in fact were real people, with real problems. The characters are well developed, and as each of their stories gently unfold, you can’t help but wonder how each “next move” will affect the rest. This book is wonderful, it is beautifully written, the storylines are interesting, and the dialogue is fantastic. I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to experience what being a member of the Black elite is like.
Real Life of an MSW 