His Eye Is On The Sparrow: An Autobiography (Quality Paperbacks Series)

Ethel's book, His Eye is On the Sparrow, in paperback, came to my attention many years ago, and I read it at that time. It's great to have this new opportunity to read it again, with the retrospect that decades provide. I highly recommend this book to all.

I first read this book as a teenage having picked it up from the church library. (I'm sure someone probably purchased that book based entirely on the title). I may have forgotten many of the details but I always knew this book had a huge effect on me. I was a naive, white, farm girl in the early 60's reading about an impoverished, street-smart, black girl in Philadelphia in the early 1900's. We might as well have been on different planets. Reading this over fifty years later, it still has a profound effect. I believe some of my feelings about race, social issues, and poverty were rooted in this book.Telling the story of the black entertainment business during the 1930's and 40's is interesting, but that is not the reason I love this book. I never heard or saw Ethel Waters on television or in the movies. It is her story of faith that makes this book timeless. Her honest searching, questioning, and the maintaining of her faith throughout her amazing life is the real theme of this biography. Her life was sordid; she had no childhood; she lived in a time when she was a second-class citizen from the time of her birth to a thirteen year old girl as a result of rape. Yet, she flourished. "It began to dawn on me that if sordidness left a deep and lasting mark, so could goodness in life." I love Ethel Waters, and I love this book, and I love the fact that I was able to read it as a teenager and then read it again as a senior citizen and still be profoundly moved by her story.

Ethel Waters has been almost completely forgotten by our country. Her success in an era of Jim Crow should serve as a modern day example of true talent parlayed via perseverance. One talented lady and tough cookie, she rode the roller coaster of her career from poor upbringing to Broadway heights and lonely valleys, to Hollywood and back again, working along the way with the elite entertainers of her day.

I read this book when I was young. my Dad had it. when I wanted to read it again and own it, it was very expensive. I was so glad it has been rereleased. beautiful story.

What an amazing woman who overcame so much and achieved the best! She was born to a 12 year old rape victim and grew up in the poverty stricken red light district yet became a top singer at the cotton club and then a devout Christian who proclaimed Gods eye is on the sparrow! A true inspiration!

Really liked this book because it's a piece of history. You should check it out if you like early twentieth-century history and the beginnings of entertainment, especially from an African-American perspective.

Have read it before, passed it on, repurchased it here. and gave it as a gift.

I was very pleased to have this for a Christmas gift for my nursing assistant as she is a great reader and a wonderful Christian. I know she was also pleased with this book and knowing her she will share it with her sisters, also good Christians. Thank you so much.

Good read

Das Buch ist einem sehr guten Zustand und ist recht schnell von USA gekommen. Das was ich bis jetzt gelesen habe klingt spannend. Eine sehr persönlich geschriebene Autobiographie von einer großartigen Frau.