The House at Sugar Beach: In Search of a Lost African Childhood Audiobook

" I enjoyed this biography. I think Helene Cooper had difficulty stepping outside her reporter role as the story was intriguing but kind of just the facts and not a lot of emotion. "

" Memoir, history lesson and current affairs all wrapped up nicely in this book by Helene Cooper, a Liberian immigrant. Besides telling about her childhood, the book provided an interesting look at the Liberian history and culture. The only thing that made reading this book difficult was when the author quoted people speaking Liberian English... "

" In reading this book, I not only enjoyed a great story but received a valuable history lesson. Well done! After finishing, I also learned that I'm "three degrees of separation" from the author. It's a small, small world. Thank you for sharing your story. "

" Helene Cooper's personal memoir narrates the role of her ancestral people in the founding and development of the American spawned country of Liberia. She glides you through her happy young life in Monrovia, the capital, and then carefully takes you to the shocking coup d'etat and resulting personal tragedies which changed her life forever. There is no self-pity in this storytelling, just plain realism that makes you reflect on your own life and how you tie yourself to your country. "

" This was the Stephens College one-read last year so I read it when Emma was home this summer. I sort of remember seeing bits and pieces about Liberia on the news when I was growing up. This really brought the turbulent history of that country to life. Highly recommend this book! "

" Helene Cooper writes a very interesting book about a memoir/history of the blacks taken back to Africa in the early part of the nineteenth century. A very detailed book. Although out of a sort of fear it took the author a very long time to return to Liberia after leaving in 1979, she never actually touches on in as much detail as to what happened to the country. Well there may be no straight answer as to what happened and what continually happens to countries like Libera, Haiti, Rwanda etc. with their governments and societies. There was in Liberia a large obvious unequality amoung the people that had gone on for hundreds of years. But even that does not justify the murders, maiming and disapperances of countless people in Liberia or anywhere of a similar background. When I read about the people taken to Liberia at the early part of the 19th century I have always been left wondering what happened to them, like a chapter unfinished, now I know. It is a moving and at times funny as well as sad life story. But then I don't believe there are many lives that are not moving, funny and sad at the same time. "

" I knew nothing about Liberia,I learned that this African country was started in the 1800's by freed black slaves from America. An interesting memoir, worth reading. "

" An in-depth view from the other side of Liberia's war. "

" Helene Cooper's account of being one of the children of a privileged family in Liberia, fleeing the country at the time of the coup, and then growing up in America to eventually becoming a foreign correspondent for the Wall Street Journal. Fascinating and well written. "

" Just finished. It's a very readable memoir of life in Liberia, and then as a refugee in America. "

" After reading The Darling, I became fascinated by Liberia, a country about which I knew almost nothing. This is a book about power, corruption and the lives of those who cannot escape. "

" Enjoyed the "you're soaking in it" view of privilege and the analysis (again, from privilege) of the tradition of fostering in Liberia. "

" Loved it. This is an engaging, though heart-wrenching, memoir. Many of the conversations were written in Liberian English. I found a youtube of the author reading her book, so I could get a real sense of how she and her family talked. "

" This reporter tells her story of being a black from Liberia during a tumultuous time and coming to America. A story I didn't know anything about so interesting. You get a strong sense of her culture. "

" Really liked the book. It's very sad to hear what happened and the decline of the country. "

" A strong memoir set against the backdrop of a sixteen year civil war. "

" An engaging read-- history brought to life. I hope I run into her in DC sometime! "

" I really enjoyed this book. It gave fascinating insight into Liberia from an intensely personal perspective. I strongly recommend reading it. "

" A story every American should read. "

" an eye-opener for sure, i really liked this book a lot. "

" Why didn't I learn the history of Liberia in school? This is a must-read. Excellent writer, riveting story, important history lesson. "

" I knew nothing about the history of Liberia before I read this book. It's a moving story, a fascinating life, and extremely well written. "

" A sad read at times but excellent "

" A very worthwhile read! I highly recommend it! "

" Listened to the author reading. For the most part, an enthralling memoir with references to Liberian history. "

" Yet another African issues piece of literature to add to my growing collection. Very journalistically written while also honestly self-aware and perceptive. I now understand the "American colony" of Liberia and I feel like I got an insider's perspective - even better! "

" I met this author at a book signing and discussion. She signed my book and initially had a hard time getting into it. However, last November read it for our Amnesty International Group and finally finishing it - came together for me. "

" WONDERFUL true story account of life in Monrovia in the 70s. It is written from the point of view of a "Congo" girl but her childhood stories take you into the hinterland a little as well as give you a little insight into local beliefs. "

" I love reading about other cultures and this didn't disappoint. Fascinating to read how "Americanized" the upper class of Liberia was/is. I wish I knew more about the family in our church who are refugees from there. "

" good insight into what happened in Liberia and with the Congo - and is still going on "

" A memoir of growing-up in Liberia during the coup of 1980. Well written! "

" I really enjoyed this book. It gave fascinating insight into Liberia from an intensely personal perspective. I strongly recommend reading it. "

" good but not as good as "Just Kids" "

" Loved it. This is an engaging, though heart-wrenching, memoir. Many of the conversations were written in Liberian English. I found a youtube of the author reading her book, so I could get a real sense of how she and her family talked. "

" Bad reviews at Book Club for the writing style - not poetic enough, just plain storytelling, but the situation itself was compelling to read about. "

" A moving autobiography depicting the journey of a truly remarkable woman. Helene Cooper is a great contemporary role model for young women everywhere. "

" I thought I knew Liberia until I read this book. A good combination of research, journalism and the perspective of a teenager shines a light on Helene's home country. I enjoyed her story and learned so much. "

" A story every American should read. <br/> "

" A good read about a subject I was not overly familiar with. The author weaves a good story while sharing rich detail of recent history. "