This book is another ghetto story that has a lot of rhetoric regarding "inner city" life that is packaged to appeal to those who have no idea that this is pure bulls**t. In the book the high school is described as a place where learning is discouraged and success is frowned upon. I was raised in Detroit (the real Detroit, not the suburbs) and I attended Detroit Public Schools. Furthermore I taught for Detroit Public Schools for six years and currently teach for Columbus Ohio City Schools. With about two decades of "inner city" school involvement as a teacher and a student, I have RARELY seen someone picked on because they got good grades. There are some serious issues with inner city education but it is not how they portrayed it. I have seen many students like Cedric and some of them were harassed. It was not because they were smart or had good grades; it was because they were socially clumsy and immature. Students who are socially immature are harassed in many schools, not just in the "inner city". Additionally, the book never mentions what happens to his classmates. The tone implies that they are stuck Southeast Washington. I understand that this book attempts to expose the trials and tribulations of a "inner city" student but it does so by portraying negative and untrue images. If someone wants to read the book to understand the life of an "inner city" student, don't read this book, go to an "inner city" school and see for yourself.

Written with amazing detail and sensitivity, "A Hope In the Unseen" manages to avoid making trite observations about race or poverty, which is uncommon

The protagonist makes no excuses for himself. I love that. I think he realised early on (after the book was written) that he wanted to be most of all "real." It wasn't to be about how he overcame, living in the ghetto etc but more importantly, the emotions and finding himself.
At certain points, I am like this kid is not a very pleasant person but even with that I could understand where he was coming from. This made him real.
He also along the way learnt he was in charge of his and only his destiny. He couldn't pull his siblings up. or his mom and I think for the longest time that must have irked him a lot.

He had to also learn to let go of this incessant rage murking in his soul. He had to face these demons so he could finally interact in the real world in a full capacity. This was not easy for him to do and he had so many missteps.

This is a tale not fairy tale perfect but gritty and still on-going, right now as we speak.

Cheers,

Great book. It details the last year in high school, and the first year in college of Cedric, a determined, intelligent inner city black kid who fights to make it out of the ghetto and to the promised land -- an ivy league college where he won't be taunted, beaten and despised for being smart.
I lost my first copy, and went out and bought a second. I loan it out to anyone I can. Cedric's story is very compelling and inspirational. I love to give it to people whose idea of a rough upbringing is that the family only owned one car . . .

A Hope in the Unseen was an engaging read and I absolutely fell in the love with the beginning. Cedric's life was put into a perspective that I could connect to and it was as if I could see everything through is eyes. It is a story that is uplifting and can be appreciated by people of any gender or color.



However, I did find a few things to frown upon. One part of the book that bothered me was the constant racial labeling. Understandably it is one of the main themes throughout the story and it is what makes this book so appealing to many. You get to see a struggling young black man make it out of a situation where many others would have gotten swallowed up. Yet, to me it became annoying because when I would finally reach a moment when I could connect to the characters as people the writer, and sometimes Cedric, would draw the whole focus back to who was what race and where they come from. It is great to be proud of who you are and what your background is but it doesn't have to define you.



During one of the later chapters we encounter Cedric and Zayd eating lunch. Zayd's friend, Josh, wanders over and immediately Cedric makes a remark about he should not be seen with two white guys. Whether he meant it jokingly or not it hurt Josh's feelings and created an awkward situation. Maybe it's because I just don't understand it but I think it was a little insensitive of Cedric. This was the only flaw that I had problems ignoring. It just seemed as if Cedric felt that he was entitled to be at Brown simply because he was a minority. Even if he wasn't in the minority, I sense a certain attitude that develops from attending an ivy league institution. It is almost as if by having your name on their roster that it makes you superior to everyone else.

This is definitely not the case and if people to hold on to such a mentality is disturbing.



Another problem I had with the novel was that after finishing such an uplifting story you start wondering what is next and if the system has ever changed. Sure, Cedric made it out and became successful but what about everyone else who was left behind? What about the students who were not as academically inclined or those who were not fortunate enough to have people supporting and pushing them like Cedric did? This book gives people an insight into a world that many are oblivious to. This could have been a great opportunity to open people's eyes about social injustice and to spark their interest in finding a way for more students to become like Cedric. I believe the author could have steered this book into becoming a link between the readers and social activism. Plenty of people have either had similar experiences or are now more aware of such situations and would be more than happy to support and contribute to any programs that are trying to turn this around. I believe more could have been done with A Hope in the Unseen in this regard.



All in all, this story was fairly interesting and inspiring. It was definitely helpful to read about the transitions from high school to college and to see how one person dealt with the common worries of university life. However, I do not see myself recommending this to many people and I believe that it is highly overrated. I do not believe it is "formula shattering" as one reviewer described it. In fact I think it follows the basic guidelines to any underdog story. I felt as if I could have been reading any number of stories, except with a different setting and character. A Hope in the Unseen is good for classroom reading assignments or book clubs because it has many discussion points and may lead readers to be more aware of the various issues it touches on. Other than that, I must truthfully say that I would not have read this given the chance to choose it for myself.

A Hope in the Unseen was an engaging read and I absolutely fell in the love with the beginning. Cedric's life was put into a perspective that I could connect to and it was as if I could see everything through is eyes. It is a story that is uplifting and can be appreciated by people of any gender or color.

However, I did find a few things to frown upon. One part of the book that bothered me was the constant racial labeling. Understandably it is one of the main themes throughout the story and it is what makes this book so appealing to many. You get to see a struggling young black man make it out of a situation where many others would have gotten swallowed up. Yet, to me it became annoying because when I would finally reach a moment when I could connect to the characters as people the writer, and sometimes Cedric, would draw the whole focus back to who was what race and where they come from. It is great to be proud of who you are and what your background is but it doesn't have to define you.

During one of the later chapters we encounter Cedric and Zayd eating lunch. Zayd's friend, Josh, wanders over and immediately Cedric makes a remark about he should not be seen with two white guys. Whether he meant it jokingly or not it hurt Josh's feelings and created an awkward situation. Maybe it's because I just don't understand it but I think it was a little insensitive of Cedric. This was the only flaw that I had problems ignoring. It just seemed as if Cedric felt that he was entitled to be at Brown simply because he was a minority. Even if he wasn't in the minority, I sense a certain attitude that develops from attending an ivy league institution. It is almost as if by having your name on their roster that it makes you superior to everyone else.
This is definitely not the case and if people to hold on to such a mentality is disturbing.

Another problem I had with the novel was that after finishing such an uplifting story you start wondering what is next and if the system has ever changed. Sure, Cedric made it out and became successful but what about everyone else who was left behind? What about the students who were not as academically inclined or those who were not fortunate enough to have people supporting and pushing them like Cedric did? This book gives people an insight into a world that many are oblivious to. This could have been a great opportunity to open people's eyes about social injustice and to spark their interest in finding a way for more students to become like Cedric. I believe the author could have steered this book into becoming a link between the readers and social activism. Plenty of people have either had similar experiences or are now more aware of such situations and would be more than happy to support and contribute to any programs that are trying to turn this around. I believe more could have been done with A Hope in the Unseen in this regard.

All in all, this story was fairly interesting and inspiring. It was definitely helpful to read about the transitions from high school to college and to see how one person dealt with the common worries of university life. However, I do not see myself recommending this to many people and I believe that it is highly overrated. I do not believe it is "formula shattering" as one reviewer described it. In fact I think it follows the basic guidelines to any underdog story. I felt as if I could have been reading any number of stories, except with a different setting and character. A Hope in the Unseen is good for classroom reading assignments or book clubs because it has many discussion points and may lead readers to be more aware of the various issues it touches on. Other than that, I must truthfully say that I would not have read this given the chance to choose it for myself.

Ron Suskind's A Hope in the Unseen: An American Odyssey from the Inner City to the Ivy League is reminiscent of A Beautiful Mind: The Life of Mathematical Genius and Nobel Laureate John Nash. In "A Beautiful Mind," our hero, John Nash, faces and fights his own demons to finally succeed and excel in the Ivy League world. In "A Hope Unseen," our hero, Cedric Jennings, fights and faces demons of societal injustice to finally succeed and excel in the Ivy League world.

Suskind's riveting narrative of Jenning's ascension from inner city life to Ivy League life paints a portrait of the contrasts between cultures like few other books ever have or ever could. More importantly, it tells the story of moving beyond suffering to a place of hope through persistence and resilience based upon Christian faith, maternal wisdom (mother wit), and the inspiring tradition of African American music.

Reviwer: Bob Kellemen, Ph.D., is the author of Beyond the Suffering: Embracing the Legacy of African American Soul Care and Spiritual Direction, Soul Physicians, and Spiritual Friends.

This is an awesome book that I would have never read if it weren't required by one of my classes! Even though I paid for standard shipping, the book arrived quickly! I am very pleased with my purchase from this company.

Moving story about a young man struggling through life in the inner city, who through grace, faith, determination and hardwork achieves the dream. The story follows him through high school and college. Outstanding novel for anyone to read, but especially for young black males.

I read A Hope in the Unseen recently and found it to be an uplifting story which had the potential to create awareness about DC's inner-city schools - but that's where it stopped.

I had been hoping for a bit more research within the story on the inner-city situation and proposals for its improvement, but I was let down in the face of a lot of needless detail which I did not care about and which had no lasting impact on me. The book is a nice story, but I finished it feeling as though I had not really learned anything new and although the book had a personally inspiring effect, its value as a tool for social activism is not there. That doesn't in any way make it a bad book, but it certainly could have been better, perhaps in the vein of Ted Conover's work - a combination of research, storytelling, and activism together.

I didn't feel that paragraphs devoted to such things as what CD Cedric happened to be holding were relevant, and was generally irritated by their inclusion. Suskind's "invisible author" perspective bothered me greatly, and could have been better handled in a different fashion. Those things said, the book was indeed a nice story - but it just could have been so much more.

What does it take to overcome great obstacles and find the best in oneself? The author found a young man named Cedric Jennings to explore this question. The author observes Cedric's life in a uniquely honest way. We are able to experience first-hand the often painful and complicated emotions of young people who grow up in socially disadvantaged neighborhoods and broken homes. The day to day experiences of these young people often necessitate the need to focus on emotional and financial survival, rather than intellectual pursuits or personal aspirations.

Cedric is unique not only amongst his peers in the inner city, but he is unique amongst people of all socioeconomic backgrounds. Cedric has an implicit trust in his own self-worth that allows him to hope for a better life without having to see proof that a better life is achievable. Through his faith in God, himself and the steadfast love of his mother Cedric pursues the American Dream. The author, however, does not sugar-coat Cedric's accomplishments, but instead presence them honestly as a series of hard fought battles. Once Cedric makes it into the Ivey League we see that he still has to battle the difficulty inherent in the level of study he has undertaken, and the survivors guilt associated with leaving his old life to enter something with which his family and old friends are unable to identify.

A Hope in the Unseen is an honest portrayal of a remarkable and inspiring young man.

What does it take to overcome great obstacles and find the best in oneself? The author found a young man named Cedric Jennings to explore this question. The author observes Cedric's life in a uniquely honest way. We are able to experience first-hand the often painful and complicated emotions of young people who grow up in socially disadvantaged neighborhoods and broken homes. The day to day experiences of these young people often necessitate the need to focus on emotional and financial survival, rather than intellectual pursuits or personal aspirations.

Cedric is unique not only amongst his peers in the inner city, but he is unique amongst people of all socioeconomic backgrounds. Cedric has an implicit trust in his own self-worth that allows him to hope for a better life without having to see proof that a better life is achievable. Through his faith in God, himself and the steadfast love of his mother Cedric pursues the American Dream. The author, however, does not sugar-coat Cedric's accomplishments, but instead presence them honestly as a series of hard fought battles. Once Cedric makes it into the Ivey League we see that he still has to battle the difficulty inherent in the level of study he has undertaken, and the survivors guilt associated with leaving his old life to enter something with which his family and old friends are unable to identify.

A Hope in the Unseen is an honest portrayal of a remarkable and inspiring young man.

This book would typically not be on my list of interesting reading; but the book was for college so I thought I would read it. To my great suprise, the book actually made emotions run through my body when I read it. It wasn't that these experiences were personal for me; but I recognized the struggle I had seen so often and how I seemed to be a part of the "majority" who didn't know any better.This seemed to bother me the most, I kept asking myself, "Am I really that ignorant?". The answer unfortunetly was yes, I really had become just another example of something the minority had to struggle so hard against to succeed. The idea that my suburban schools were far ahead of all the inner city schools seemed almost ludicrous. The more I looked into it, the more I realized that this struggle has been going on longer than I have lived, and that even though I feel bad for the minority; I still continue to live my life casually without sticking my neck out for others.

The story of the boy from a lowly inner city school who avoids any kind of controversy or conflict on his way to get into a good college was inspirational. His journey seemed almost surreal; it was the relationship with his mother and religion that really set the story up for success. You could almost imagine the feelings his mother felt when she left him alone for college with the last $60 to her name as a gift.

Driving Cedric (main character) throughout this story was his strong belief in religion; which is ironic because the narrator basically explains it to be a scapegoat for the poor and misfortunates problems. Cedric trying to escape a world full of problems holds strong to his religion, but worries of wavering because of the temptations of the world.

Overall, the story deserves a reading by anyone who may be interested in the unknown struggles of our nation, or someone seeking inspiration to apprecciate all we have in our advantaged lives.

"A Hope in the Unseen" provides insight into an ambitious, Africian American highschooler's mind as he pursues good grades and a life of integrity. Cedric, a Ballou High School student from Washington, DC, shares his journey with us as he, not only plans to graduate from high school as an honor student, but also heads into an Ivy League college and steps into his career with dignity. Great read for any one desiring to take responsibility of their own life and go for the "gold".

I first read this book, as a college student, in a class entitled "Ideas of the University." We were studying the history of higher education, in the United States, and throughout Western Civilization, dating back to the ancient Greek philosophers and their Socratic seminars. "A Hope in the Unseen" takes a contemporary look at one young man's journey toward entering an Ivy League college, and how he challenges personal and academic odds to get there.

Cedric Jennings, the protagonist in this book, written by Ron Suskind, is ostracized and threatened by his high school peers, for being a "nerd." The son of a single mother and a (sometimes) drug dealer/deadbeat father, Cedric challenges the perceptions of everyone in his age group, growing up in a very dangerous, inner city environment. The last factor of importance, to his contemporaries, is obtaining a college education (much less, graduating from high school). Nevertheless, the combination of Cedric's strong work ethic and vigilant religious beliefs, combined with the undying support of his mother, bring him closer to his dream of attending Brown University, on a full scholarship. His passions are math and science, and they also serve as a refuge to him, from the cruel, dangerous and violent world in the streets.

Suskind sensitively depicts the life of Cedric Jennings, his struggles as a young, African-American man, raised in an environment that breeds drug dealers, thugs and teenage moms, and how he takes the high road to make something of himself. We also get a sense of the higher education system, how test scores play a role in who enters the university system and who is deemed ineligible, and how Affirmative Action, as an additional component, can change the course of life and open doors for young scholars of color.

I reccomend this for all young people, who want to learn more about the personal struggles of inner city youth who strive to rise above the poverty line, stigmas and stereotypes that take a toll on self esteeem and self realization.

The young man in this book and I have something in common. We attended the same school. I was a student at this particular high school in the sixties. The circumstances and environment were much different back then. The neighborhood was decent. There was a Safeway grocery store, Chinese restaurant, McDonald's, other restaurants and a sandwich shop, barber shops, beauty shops, hardware store, sports equipment store, People's Drug Store, florist etc. There was a Catholic school, a junior high school, and an elementary school. There was a also big hospital near by. The community was nothing like what it is now.

The school was top notch. I remember the cheer leaders, the school clubs, Honor Society, G.A.A., Cadets (ROTC). Above all else students wanting to be recognized in a postive way. I would love to have some of the old year books. They are a history of what used to be a fine school.

But it is uplifting to know, that the young man who is the subject of this book has done well.Inspite of all the things around him, he managed to be a good scholar. Times change, situations change, and along with those things people change. A lot of nice neighborhoods and schools all over the country have changed. But in the rubbish there are the few that come out as champions. The odds are stacked against them. But they beat the odds. I am grateful that he had the kind of mother that he has. By the way I lived at 514 Oakwood Street S.E. The last time I saw my house the steps were falling down, broken and cracked. This was a house that used to be a beautiful townhouse.

For anyone coming from a priveleged upbringing in the suburbs this is a must read book. This story tells just how hard it is to make it out of the inner-city. An inspiring book that gives insight into the everyday lives of students in poor urban communities. Read this book!!!

This book was basically for my sociology class. When i read the book i couldn't believe how interesting it is. this book was a great read for me and i recommend it to everyone, especially urban readers. Trust me, I wouldn't read a book unless its good.

This phenomenal story helps illustrate the academic, emotional, psychological, and even systemic barriers confronting many urban students as they try to succeed in elite higher education institutions. It gives inspiration to those who believe it is possible to raise yourself up; it enlightens those who underestimate the challenge of doing so.

Ron Suskind is able to both tell Cedric's very human story, and explore the larger social policy questions involved. Anyone who is interested in how our education system facilitates the pursuit of the American dream (or not) should read this book.

It was required for me to read this for college. I would not have read it otherwise. It was boring.

As a graduating senior myself I can partially understand some of Cedric's struggles as a high school student. Probably many others can also because we all went through it. I, myself, have the priveldge of growing up in a afluent neighborhood and school district. I can see how difficult it was for someone wanting to acheive so much and to not relate with his fellow students and join in on the culture they lived. Though through his mothers gift of faith, and strength. Cedric Jenning's manages to leave the hallowed halls of his high school to go onto something great. Ultimately proving to us that to do something great it takes a great leap of faith in ourselves to achieve something above what could be expected of us, and to rise above the situation we where born into and change it. Cedric talks about dreamkillders and how so many people are given a situation weather for the good or for the bad and they settle just for that. While many can't see the opportunity that lies behind the hard work of changing the situation. Even those with good situation don't try to make it better and to settle for what they have. Thoreau said that, "The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation." This book is a good message for all of those who read old, and young. Especially for those getting ready to enter a new step of there life, or are just planning to stay in the one they are now.

A great book! I read it cover to cover in a day, it was compelling. You feel like you're part of Cedric's story.

When I picked up this book, I didn't know what I'd think of it. It's not the normal kind of book I read, but as this month's book club selection, I gave it a chance. And I was quite impressed.

I thoroughly enjoyed the story of Cedric. Coming from middle-class white suburbia, but not far from Detroit, I was familiar of the struggle for inner-city kids to strive, but not with their perceptions of it. This book opened up my eyes to some realities and feelings, I never had thought about before. For instance, how it's not only very difficult to get a good education or good grades in the inner city, but how you're ostracized by your peers for trying.

This is a story of how Cedric ignored the taunting of fellow students, how he earned a chance at the Ivy league and then we learn the struggle doesn't stop there. For a boy who was salutatorian at his high school, his education level is still far below most of those in the Ivy leagues. The story is about his efforts to make the grade, fit in at school and become comfortable in his own skin. Just reading about his obstacles made me tired for him!

I enjoyed the book, especially how we did get to see the world by more than just Cedric's eyes, but also by his mothers, his fathers and friends. I think this gave the story a pick-me-up when otherwise it would have gotten boring. To anyone who is interested in this topic, I'd recommend this book.

While flipping channels one day on my TV, I stumbles upon a writer doing a reading of his Pulitzer Prize winning book entitled Hope in the Unseen. Moments later the main character from the book, Cedric himself, stepped to the mic and took questions about the experience, and the book itself. I was riveted! This was facinating! I ran out and got the book, and was literally swept away by the story, the strength, and the bitter sweetness of the struggle illustrated so well. This book was a profound experience for me. Not only does the author use words in the most beautiful manner, but the story is so unashamed in it's stark compassion and truth. There were so many parts of this book that brought tears to my eyes. I felt privilaged to catch a glimpse of the vulnerability of this courageous, flawed, strong, optimistic young man. This book gave me hope for all young people out in the world facing seemingly insurmountable odds. I wanted to stand up and cheer at the end, I felt like this kid was going to be better than "OK", that he was going to have a richly rewarding life because he wasn't afraid to push himself along his journey. Every teen in school should be required to read this book, and every adult should read it so that we can change the attitudes in this world one family at a time.