>was this an interesting book, eyeopening,
>shocking?

interesting yes. the other two, not particularly

>and...what did you get out of
>the first one?

this is a subject very close to my heart (for a couple of reasons). ultimately, it was good to see a book written about young black children who strive to do well outside the circumstances life has dealt them (young Black children who aren't druggies, thugs, etc. what a concept...notice my sarcasm).

considering that these folk graduated the year california dumped "affirmative action" it was interesting to see how they were affected (not because they weren't "worthy" of a college education, but because the way the system is set up they fall into a "lower bracket" despite taking honors courses)