From the Mississippi Delta: A Memoir

From the Mississippi Delta is even more compelling because of the circumstances from which this remarkable woman came...to think that a one-time prostitute, thief, and convict could rise to become a Pulitzer Prize nominee, critcally acclaimed author, and tenured professor at the University of Southern California! The fact that Dr. Holland has survived and persevered despite having every possible obstacle placed in front of her - it should make those of us who were born to better circumstances rethink our roles in life.

I was extremely humbled by this autobiography. The sacrifices that Dr. Holland and her peers made as part of the Civil Rights Movement should never be forgotten or dismissed. After being repeatedly exposed to the murderous deeds of those who have sought to paint themselves as the brave patriots and heros of a new world order, I am grateful that there are books like From the Mississippi Delta that provide examples of those who can rightly take on the mantles of bravery, heroism, and patriotism - and bear them with the pride, dignity, and respect that they deserve.

The occasionally encountered graphic material didn't bother me, since the scenes and language in From the Mississippi Delta are non-gratuitous, accurate, and true to life; it would be a travesty to dilute them. I am horrified at the prospect of people being subjected to the conditions and abuse that are described as being part and parcel of young Ida Mae Holland's everyday existence.

In my opinion, any distasteful moments are fully recounted in the text to make sure that we don't forget our past mistakes - lest we give in to the ever-present danger of committing the same errors in the future.

A gripping and well-written account. An absolutely incredible read. Highly recommended.


Read it & weep ...   September 6, 1999
Weep for the Dr Lady; weep foryour own sorry story which this dr lady is telling you isokay -- it's yours and for that it's gotta be beautiful or if it's not get busy to make sure it becomes beautiful, because of how you maneuver it into a work of artthrough your own insight and eventual usefulness to someone, something, or some idea -- your choice.She tells us through the simple honesty of pulling backthe curtains to her world, opening the door to her home, her heart, and herself that however humble our origins, wereally only have one way to goand that's up.Not everyone's climb is from such a depth but she assures us, implores us, helps us see that we can make the climb from wherever we think we are.Her's is a beautiful story forits honesty, pathos, its abject misery laid bare & mostespecially for the heights this Dr Lady has climbed usingher God-given gifts just as Hewould have directed.Many have God-given gifts thatare ignored, scorned, or mis-used so it's not as easy as it would seem to see true self-actualization at work among us.This girl's God-given gift -- oration, a sense of the theatre within her, and the ability to "work-it", including her wide-legged sreet walk swagger (which she triumphantly gave her fans, friends, and family on stage at her graduation to accept the Ph.D. degree).The first person delivery of her story lends authority to the fact that Dr. Endesha has re-visited Ida Mae from a truly different place but onlyshe can tell Ida Mae's story.The language used to actually share this story is beautiful in itself notwithstanding the added benefit of the pure honesty of the story. If the reader takes a moment while reading to sound the words andto appreciate the carefully captured phrases, we know we are in the midst of a true genius for dialog and language. She has truly captured the cadence and pronunciation of the rural South.Her Momma's language patterns are especially poignant --"...can't nosomebody cite better den you", her momma reminds Ida Mae after the teacher's pet is chosen to impress visiting whyte folks at the school. Or when Momma finds out Civil Rights leadersare coming to Greenwood, especially "dat man, Luther Kang" -- it just rings with such authenticty it makestears come to one's eyes for its beauty, simplicity, and honesty. Even without the pictures, we can see this ladyeven the pattern on her housedress and the hole in thebottom of her house shoes.It had to be a brave move to decide to go with this pattern of speech because it could appear off-setting to a casual reader and no doubt to an Eastern editor who could put up a logical case against it. To her credit, the authorhas included it and has endeared the people of Greenwood to us for their straight-forward candid language and authentic truth.Ida Mae's early time in jail for teenage misdemeanors prepared her for later incarcerations as a civil rights worker in the Delta andcertainly helped others--whyteand black to survive as conditions worsened for these folks.Ida Mae has generously taken us on a tour we couldn't pay to enjoy. A view of the historic Mississippi Delta from home-girl's view. No staying at the hotel and eating quiche and croissants. We get to go home and get the greens & ham hocks, and fried chicken right along with the family.In addition, we have history of this signifcant period comealive for us. The Civil Rights era is explored from ground center and we witness this girl's triumphant exit from an otherwise life of waste. We celebrate this metamorphosis with a woman we believe we know and can call afriend.


Excellant historical synapsis of growing up "black" in MS.   March 5, 1999
This book was extremely vivid and time captivating as it is set in rural Mississippi in the 1950's-1970's. Not only did Ms. Holland make you feel as if you were sweating in the sweltering Mississippi summer, you also felt the extreme racial biggotary and hatered of that era. I highly reccommend this book to anyone who was not old enough to remember this era in our history. You will be amazed, shocked and horrified at life in rural Mississippi.

My only critique was that I felt there were extremely explicit scenes and misuse of profanity. This was used to convey strong emotions and could have been done in a more tactful manner.