Product Description

The nation's maverick urban organizer issues a compelling moral exhortation on behalf of modern-day "Josephs" who alone are solving the problems the poverty establishment can't cure. Always accessible and colorful, this powerful appeal for the health of America's inner cities can resurrect the passion to fight poverty--but only through the vision and deeds of street-level heroes Author publicity.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1117149 in Books
• Published on: 2002-01-15
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 172 pages

From Library Journal
Woodson, founder and president of the National Center for Neighborhood Enterprise and recipient of a MacArthur "genius" grant, argues for increased recognition and support of agents of grass-roots change in the inner city. Like William Julius Wilson (The Truly Disadvantaged, LJ 10/1/87), Woodson claims that race-based programs like affirmative action disproportionately benefit more privileged people of color. In addition, Woodson blames elitist Civil Rights leaders, social service bureaucrats, and academics for protecting their own positions more than empowering the disadvantaged. He also indicts the media for focusing on dysfunction among the poor but glossing over the moral failings of the privileged. His portraits of three effective programs highlight the potential of flexible programs, open to all, that are run by local people in a way that involves clients and demands discipline and service. While Woodson makes a compelling argument, he does ignore the broader structural causes of lack of economic opportunity. Recommended for larger public libraries.?Paula Dempsey, Loyola Univ., Chicago
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist
Where Thomas Sowell and other black conservatives are popular, this parable of moral regeneration through religious-based grassroots groups emphasizing self-help will have appeal. Woodson is founder and president of the National Center for Neighborhood Enterprise, formerly affiliated with the American Enterprise Institute, and a 1990 recipient of a MacArthur Foundation "genius" grant. Here he uses the biblical tale of Joseph and the pharaoh to draw a bright line between "modern-day Josephs," who "have forged an effective internal, spiritual response to the spiritual and moral atrophy of our civil society which goes far beyond the limitations of conventional remedies of professional therapy and economic assistance," and "the Pharaoh's Court" --the civil rights establishment, the "poverty industry," some politicians and academics--who preach victimization and define racism as the source of all woe. There's useful information on grassroots programs' success in dealing with addiction, parolees, and former gang members, among others. As for Woodson's polemics: one either believes the Bible and Adam Smith have all the answers, or one doesn't Mary Carroll

From Kirkus Reviews
Inspiring subject matter, disappointing book. Founder and president of the National Center for Neighborhood Enterprise, and a MacArthur awardee, Woodson argues that the leadership and energy required to remedy the ills of poor neighborhoods must come from within. Especially in impoverished black communities, self-identification as victims and failed government policies must give way to self-help inspired by indigenous role models. The latter he calls ``Josephs,'' referring to the biblical figure who rises from slavery and prison to advise the pharoah--an analogy that doesn't really fit Woodson's concept of individuals who would work at a grass-roots level to help recover the lives of drug addicts and ex-cons. No matter. Those concerned about improving the condition of the poor will applaud such efforts, and Woodson's conservative supporters will applaud the supposed policy implications. Unfortunately, description of actual Josephs is relegated to a surprisingly minor role in this slim volume. The primary focus here is not providing evidence that Josephs can spearhead successful antipoverty efforts, but rather providing a testament to Woodson's belief that they can do so, packaged in a largely incommensurate and potentially inconsistent political agenda. Criticism of government policy and established social service networks may be well deserved, but as Woodson notes, Josephs work independently of policies and institutions and will succeed or fail regardless of public policy, so why the overbearing emphasis on a political critique? If Woodson's policy recommendations calling for money and authority to be channeled through Josephs into poor communities and building ``institutional supports around the grass-roots leaders'' were enacted, however, they would become central political figures--and the prized independence that made them Josephs would be forfeited. There is no doubt that Woodson is genuinely concerned with looking for new, more effective ways to alleviate the scourge of poverty--and that his efforts are accompanied by considerable political na‹vet‚. -- Copyright ©1997, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Customer Reviews

Black America, read this now!
Every black person in the United States ought to devote an evening or two to reading this book. It shows in a concise 100-plus pages that "Black History" includes the triumphs of self-sufficiency which were considered ordinary before the Civil Rights movement taught the race that "progress" meant handouts and lowered standards of evaluation. The inner cities are slowly rising out of the ashes, not through government charity but through residents working the system to change their own destinies, making their peace with an unfair past. No book says this better. Everyone -- buy this book and regain your hope.

Eloquent, Powerful and Inspirational!
Dr. Woodsen gives an eloquent and powerful case for the endurence and ingenuity of the individual human soul versus the shocking waste and disregard of people caused by government social programs. He is definetly not "politically correct" in his assessment of the stark failure of the "poverty industry" to stop the tide of death and despair. Dr. Woodsen offers an inspirational solution that really works and takes the reader along to meet the brave and ordinary people who make a difference.

Are you afraid of the truth?
The Triumphs of Joseph is simply one of the most important books to be written since the Civil Rights Movement. I teach diversity classes and I use Triumphs as a primary text to offset the constant presentation by black leaders (often self-proclaimed) and the media that African Americans are somehow deficient in ordinary resilience and social strategies and need the paternalistic help of governmental and private agencies. Why do so many people who are not disadvantaged feel free to define for the disadvantaged what their needs, wants, and goals are? Dr. Woodson is sure to offend those who are the vicarious victims and parasitic victimizers of the poor but the validity of his message cannot be denied. Coming from a disadvantaged background myself, I have lived some of the situations he describes yet today I hold a doctorate and teach at the college level. Dr. Woodson is definitely a winner with a winning plan. If you want to be a winner, stick with the winners.