{"id":27807,"date":"2023-06-07T19:26:59","date_gmt":"2023-06-07T19:26:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/otislee.com\/staging\/2064\/?page_id=27807"},"modified":"2023-10-01T03:19:45","modified_gmt":"2023-10-01T03:19:45","slug":"testimonials","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/otislee.com\/staging\/2064\/testimonials\/","title":{"rendered":"Testimonials"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Testimonials<\/h2>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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“I\u2019d like to thank Otis Lee, Jr., author of \u201cFrom South Boston to Cambridge: the Making of One Philadelphia Lawyer\u201d for taking part in Coffee With the Authors at Sunset River Marketplace art gallery recently. His talk was so engaging, very well received. His memories about his family were heartfelt and warm. We look forward to his next book and inviting him back.”
\nDebbie Bissette, Event Coordinator Calabash, NC<\/strong><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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“This book is simply beautiful: Beautifully presented, beautifully written. It reflects a labor of love, patience and devotion.”
\nDr. Harriet F. Karuhije\nFormer Associate Dean, The College of Nursing, Howard University<\/strong><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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“I have known Otis Lee since about 1982 and consider him to be one of my closest friends. After reading his book \u201cFrom South Boston to Cambridge: the Making of One Philadelphia lawyer\u201d, what I thought I knew about him just scratches the surface of what I now know. It is a remarkable journey into the innermost parts of his life as a young boy growing up in the segregated south where Jim Crow laws were used to stifle the aspirations of young black boys and girl.\n\nHis struggle to overcome his feelings of being ill prepared to survive in a world where racism had such a harsh influence on education, housing, job opportunities and the criminal justice system for people of color, is woven into a beautiful narrative of his life journey. His story is a testimony to the power of having a loving, nurturing family. Seeing life through his eyes has given me a greater perspective of the power of the human spirit. His honesty about the challenges he faced and how he coped even as a successful lawyer and real estate investor is refreshing. He has left a legacy for his children and for anyone wanting to know more about life in America from the perspective of one who succeeded despite all odds.”
\nFrank S. James, MD<\/strong><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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An excellent read and an education plus<\/strong><\/p>

“I truly enjoyed this book by Otis L. Lee. He addressed a select group of Afro-Americans who can imagine the pain of their forefather\u2019s involuntary separation from Africa, the trauma experienced during their cross Atlantic travel, and the uniquely crafted American slavery system. Not all African-Americans have the luxury of reminiscing about the pain experienced by our forefathers, particularly people of color who deal daily with the full blows of America\u2019s Apartheid.<\/p>


Mr. Lee tracks Africa primarily through the eyes of Michelle, a Swarthmore college student, and an older, long-time family friend, Harriett. Michelle was among two Blacks students chosen to participate in an education exchange program with Makerere University, Uganda, about 47-years ago.<\/p>


From Michelle\u2019s copious notes and narratives, Mr. Lee reconstructs her sojourn, joy, and disappointments. Eric, one of Michelle\u2019s mentors, was a Ugandan Professor at Makerere University and married to Harriett. Eric received his Master\u2019s in Mathematics in the USA. His cultural description of America lambasted its vacuous pop culture, fads, racism, and the over saturated Eurocentric culture to the exclusion of all others.<\/p>


Mr. Lee skillfully crafts many questions to Michelle about her Ugandan experience. They include the ability to discard her Western expectations for the African reality, how to maneuver a compromised medical system, and the residual effects of colonialization.<\/p>


In front of a mirror in the student lobby, Michelle engaged in a powerful self-dialogue about her dress and African d\u00e9cor. She wore an afro, dangling earrings and a dashiki. Reflected in the mirror behind her was an African female student with a wig, westernized clothes and a powered face.<\/p>


Mr. Lee often takes time-out to translate Michelle\u2019s thoughts and events into teachable moments. For example, he interprets the lessons encountered by Michelle when she relates back to an evening with two African-American women. Both women were married to Ugandans. In professorial style, he elucidates the cross-cultural experiences of the women and others by detailing the history of governance in the Horne of Africa, Plural Marriage, and how wealth is measured.<\/p>


The book\u2019s title comes from a daydream by Mr. Lee and an imaginary train ride from Djibouti to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. In his last chapter the fantasy declares that there is no cure all, panacea, or an idyllic country that we as African-Americans can live in. Michelle arrived in Africa with all her western stereotypes in place and left with growth, and a more realistic view of both Africa and America.<\/p>


I unequivocally recommend the book. As a bonus, it is well-written and offers a great education in cultural realism and personal growth.<\/p>

\u00a0<\/p>

Review written by Alvin Foster, D.Ed.
Retired 2005: President of AMF Mail Advertising, LLC, Assistant Dean of Student at Boston University, Assistant Professor University of Massachusetts, Founder of the Boston Audio Society<\/strong><\/p><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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“Impressive! I was amazed at your courage and determination to lay it all out there, and your ability to put your entire life into words.”
\nFrank Bowles, Burley High School, Charlottesville, VA, Class of 1966<\/strong><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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“Your book is a monumental work, congratulations.”
\nMitzi Ware, Events Coordinator, New Dominion Book Store<\/strong><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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“There is little doubt that as the son of Otis L. Lee, Jr., author of \u201cFrom South Boston to Cambridge: The Making of One Philadelphia Lawyer,\u201d I am very favorably biased in my opinion of my father\u2019s memoir. That being said, this book is a must-read for anyone interested in the compelling story of one American man and his journey from the segregated south of Virginia in the 1950s to the cosmopolitan city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in the 1970s and 80s.

\n\nThis book is more than simply about my father\u2019s successful legal career. Rather, it is about the story of one man\u2019s struggles, but also triumphs, as he grappled with issues \u2013 personal as well as societal \u2013 that many of us still do today: self-doubt, perseverance in the face of obstacles, and the importance of family.

\n\nI have no doubt that anyone who reads this lively and entertaining memoir will feel inspired and will find that it helps them confront any issue that they face in their own lives. From our family to yours, I hope you find this memoir educational and inspirational.”
\nJustin P. Lee, Esq.<\/strong><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\nI would highly recommend!!!<\/strong>
\n\n“This is a fascinating book that accounts two women who travel back to Africa in search of their roots. Their journey is both challenging yet rewarding and this book documents their experiences. They are confronted with prejudice, a jolt of cultural disparity, and unforeseen hurdles. However, as they journey through Africa, they also unearth the sublime, fortitude, and a sense of belonging within the communal tapestry. In their wanderings, self-discovery unfolds, and ancestral ties reveal themselves. Additionally, they begin to decipher the intricate tapestry of ties that interweave Africa with its far-flung diaspora. Again, I highly recommend it!”\n\nTodd Lindeblad<\/strong>\n\n<\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\nA beautiful, thoughtful exploration of identity<\/strong>
\n\n“I stumbled upon The Last Train to Djibouti serendipitously. What a beautiful book, an exploration of individual, ethnic, and cultural identity through the lenses of two African American women as they traverse their ancestral homeland. This isn\u2019t intended as a \u201creview\u201d per se, as I\u2019m surely ill-qualified to critique such an achievement; it\u2019s simply a heartfelt recommendation from a random reader who didn\u2019t need to share the author\u2019s and subjects\u2019 heritage to be profoundly moved by these thoughtful words.\n\nThere is a third main character, the author, an attorney and obviously gifted writer who serves as our narrator and guide throughout the women\u2019s journeys. For me this was a book worth savoring for its fascinating American and African history lessons, not to mention its sheer eloquence. In the book, Lee is a teacher who brings foreign places and their past and present to life without ever sounding merely didactic. Being something of a \u201cword nerd,\u201d I found myself looking up more than my usual share of definitions, yet every word choice seems just right and never gratuitous. In an Amazon full of literary fast food, how wonderful to discover a work so deeply considered at every level, from individual turns of phrase to historical interludes to the interweaving of these two women\u2019s journeys to the insights they, and we, learn along the way.

\n\nHaving had the privilege of hearing Mr. Lee speak on video, my sincere hope is that he will narrate an audiobook version. Thank you for sharing this truly enriching book with us.”\n
Albert Frantz<\/strong>\n\n<\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\nA riveting account!<\/strong>
\n\n“A riveting account of the journeys of two African American women from different generations, at different times, to their \u201cmotherland\u201d. Their experiences, observations and realizations are an eye opening revelation as to what Africa was, what it is, what it could have been, and what it could be. A realistic view of Africa from these two women for those of us who will most likely never have the opportunity to visit the homeland of our ancestors, and see first hand the land that birthed our existence.”\n
\nW. Franklin Bowles<\/strong>\n\n<\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\nUnderstandings that can shape conversations about race and racism<\/strong>
\n\n“Thomas Wolfe said, “You can’t go home again.” But can you? In The Last Train From Djibouti, two African-American women travel to Africa in the 1970s, in search of history, personal growth, and the chance to “feel the spirit of the motherland.” In Otis Lee’s powerful and personal telling of their story, they make discoveries but also encounter disappointments, and gain understandings that can shape the critically important conversation we are having about race and racism in America today.”\n
\nHenry G. Brinton<\/strong>\n\n<\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\nTwo African American journey to Africa : a self discovery.<\/strong>
\n\n“A lovely written book about the experience of two African American women and their journey to Africa. A haunting chronicle of their desire to become one with the \u201cMotherland\u201d and the reality of the fragility of that connection. Artfully and interestingly told, with additional historical background added. A good read.”\n
\nValerie G.<\/strong>\n\n<\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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Testimonials “I\u2019d like to thank Otis Lee, Jr., author of \u201cFrom South Boston to Cambridge: the Making of One Philadelphia Lawyer\u201d for taking part in Coffee With the Authors at Sunset River Marketplace art gallery recently. His talk was so engaging, very well received. His…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"full_width.php","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","_eb_attr":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-27807","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"\nFeedback & Testimonials for Otis Lee | American Author, Last Train from Djibouti<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/otislee.com\/testimonials\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Feedback & Testimonials for Otis Lee | American Author, Last Train from Djibouti\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Testimonials “I\u2019d like to thank Otis Lee, Jr., author of \u201cFrom South Boston to Cambridge: the Making of One Philadelphia Lawyer\u201d for taking part in Coffee With the Authors at Sunset River Marketplace art gallery recently. 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