Advanced
Error loading page.
Try refreshing the page. If that doesn't work, there may be a network issue, and you can use our self test page to see what's preventing the page from loading.
Learn more about possible network issues or contact support for more help.
Title details for Survival Math by Mitchell Jackson - Available

Survival Math

Notes on an All-American Family

by Mitchell Jackson
Mitchell Jackson
Audiobook (Includes supplementary content)
1 of 1 copy available
Borrow Listen to a sample Listen to a sample
1 of 1 copy available
ONE OF TIME'S 100 BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR
ONE OF NPR'S BEST BOOKS OF 2019
ONE OF BUZZFEED'S BEST BOOKS OF 2019

An electrifying, dazzlingly written reckoning and an essential addition to the national conversation about race and class, Survival Math takes its name from the calculations award-winning author Mitchell S. Jackson made to survive the Portland, Oregon of his youth.
This dynamic book explores gangs and guns, near-death experiences, sex work, masculinity, composite fathers, the concept of "hustle," and the destructive power of addiction—all framed within the story of Jackson, his family, and his community. Lauded for its breathtaking pace, its tender portrayals, its stark candor, and its luminous style, Survival Math reveals on every page the searching intellect and originality of its author. The primary narrative, focused on understanding the antecedents of Jackson's family's experience, is complemented by poems composed from historical American documents as well as survivor files, which feature photographs and riveting short narratives of several of Jackson's male relatives. The sum of Survival Math's parts is a highly original whole, one that reflects on the exigencies—over generations—that have shaped the lives of so many disenfranchised Americans. As essential as it is beautiful, as real as it is artful, Mitchell S. Jackson's nonfiction debut is a singular achievement, not to be missed.

  • Creators

  • Publisher

  • Release date

    March 5, 2019

  • Formats

    • OverDrive Listen audiobook

      • ISBN: 9781508278962
      • File size: 389911 KB
      • Duration: 13:32:18

  • Languages

    • English

  • Reviews

    • AudioFile Magazine
      Author and narrator Mitchell S. Jackson has created a provocative story about his family's history. Through it, he illuminates the African-American experience while offering insight into the specific circumstances of growing up in Portland, Oregon. Blending first- and second-person narratives, along with expository interludes and poetry, Jackson invites listeners to consider this history from multiple perspectives. The family's story is told with unflinching detail and is set amid historical, psychological, and sociological contexts. Sadly, the complex nonlinear narrative loses much of its heft and rhythm as narrated by the author. Jackson's voice is sharp; he emphasizes consonants and has an unbending cadence that too often disrupts the flow of the story. As a result, the ambitiousness of the audiobook is unrealized. A.S. © AudioFile 2019, Portland, Maine

Formats

  • OverDrive Listen audiobook

subjects

Languages

  • English

Loading
Check out what's being checked out right now