We Were Eight Years in Power

Coates' always sharp commentary is particularly insightful as each day brings a new upset to the cultural and political landscape laid during the term of the nation's first black president. [A] crucial voice in the public discussion of race and equality, and readers will be eager for his take on where we stand now and why

Booklist

It's this timeless timeliness--reminiscent of the work of George Orwell and James Baldwin--that makes Coates worth reading again and again

Publishers Weekly

Fiercely passionate, intelligent and clear-eyed

Newsday

Across his oeuvre, Coates' prose style and literary prowess are hip-hop sharpened: he believes in the art of dexterous reference, potent, lyrical critique and political storytelling

Baltimore Sun

Coates's probing essays about race, politics, and history became necessary ballast for this nation's gravity-defying moment... Essential

The Boston Globe

Biting cultural and political analysis from the award-winning journalist . . . His conclusions are disquieting, his writing passionate, his tenor often angry.... Emotionally charged, deftly crafted, and urgently relevant essays"

Kirkus

Powerfully charged

GQ

[R]aw and hard to read. You'll never forget his point of view, nor should you

Glamour

Thus, We Were Eight Years in Power serves as a clarion call for vigilance about the possible erosion of African-American advances presumed sacrosanct. Consider these riveting, well-reasoned ruminations of the most-prodigious black visionary around a must-read indeed

The Mississippi Link