Description
Book SynopsisMost Americans regard the World War II period as belonging to the greatest generation. Against impossible odds, Bill would be elected to serve his country as a US Congressman and Senator, and Janet would become a prominent television personality, activist, and highly respected businesswoman and author. This memoir is set within this world.
Trade ReviewLove in Black and White is a great love story, and much more. Bill and Janet Cohen show what can happen when people from diverse backgrounds move beyond their differences to embrace their common humanity. We can all learn from their example. -- President Bill Clinton
Racism and Anti-Semitism are twin evils in our lives and Bill Cohen and Janet Langhart Cohen have confronted them both with courage and class. They are two of my favorite human beings. -- Quincy Jones
In Love in Black and White, William S. Cohen brilliantly chronicles the courageous struggles against ethnic and racial discrimination encountered by two twentieth century families who epitomize the American Dream, and who dared to allow love to trump convention in the process. -- Donna Brazile, CNN and ABC political commentator for CNN and ABC; former campaign manager for Al Gore in 2000
Our nation needs to engage in an open and honest examination of race. Bill and Janet have something to contribute. Their willingness to challenge convention throughout their lives is a story that needs to be told. Now is the time to tell it. -- Bruce Gordon, former president, NAACP
A poignant testimony to the blessings that come from seeing beyond race, religion, and politics into the hearts of others. -- Senior Rabbi Steve Leder, Wilshire Boulevard Temple, Los Angeles
Love In Black And White is one of the most eloquent, searing, and brilliant explorations of love across the color line that I have ever read. With the pen of a poet and the wisdom of a sage, the Cohens delve richly into their own story to illumine the nation's story—one shaped by the vices of racism and the virtues of racial progress. By tapping the wellsprings of their remarkable individual journeys, and then testifying of the union they have forged in the midst of skepticism and hostility, their courageous vow to love each other no matter what inspires us all to do the same. This soul baring and heart cheering memoir is must reading. -- Michael Eric Dyson, author of
Debating Race
A unique and moving memoir—instructive, insightful, and filled with poignant and joyous stories—a pleasure to read. -- Madeleine K. Albright, former United States Secretary of State
Love in Black and White is a heartfelt message that love, respect, and tolerance give us the strength to challenge the darker impulses of humanity. -- Deepak Chopra, author, The Path to Love
This is an inspiring story of two high-profile people...of different racial and religious backgrounds who managed to overcome the long and troubled history of race and romance in the U.S. * Booklist *
Table of Contents
Chapter 1 Preface Chapter 2 1. A Capitol Idea Chapter 3 2. Hancock Street Chapter 4 3. Up South Chapter 5 4. Shamrock and A Dreidel Chapter 6 5. Lockfield Gardens Chapter 7 6. Destination Unknown Chapter 8 7. Hoops and Dreams Chapter 9 8. Law School and Other Maladies Chapter 10 9. The Windy City Chapter 11 10. Law and Politics Chapter 12 11. Bean Town and Busing Chapter 13 12. Impeachment Chapter 14 13. A Doctor in the House Chapter 15 14. The Rest of the Bastards Chapter 16 15. Of Polo and Poetry Chapter 17 16. Color Codes Chapter 18 17. Who's Coming to Dinner? Chapter 19 18. The Darndest Things Chapter 20 19. Lucky and Lucy Chapter 21 20. POTUS Chapter 22 21. Doubtless Chapter 23 22. First Lady of the Pentagon Chapter 24 23. Song of Songs Chapter 25 The Annex
