The Color Of Water The Color Of Water is one of the most impressive memoirs I have ever read. I was totally amazed by James McBride's style of writing,he made every moment of his life seem so interesting even during the times of struggle. What McBride faced as a child makes me appreciative of what I have now.The memoir is told from the perspective of two individuals,James McBride(the author) and his mom Hudis Shilsky(now Rachel McBride Hunter). In my opinion Hudis Shilsky is a hero.She managed to raise twelve children, teaching them that education and a belief in God is the only way to be successful."My parents were nonmaterialistic. They believed that money without knowledge was worthless, that education was the way to climb out of poverty in America and over the years they were proven right," said McBride. Rachel taught her children not to prejudge or to be bigots. When McBride asked her "What color is God's spirit," she replied "It doesn't have a color. God is the color of water. Water doesn't have a color." "Jesus was Mommy's salvation. Jesus pressed her forward," this is one quality I really admired about Shilsky. Shilsky also had few bad qualities and weaknesses.She never took the time out to show affection to her children.It was like she was 'dead inside'. The only time she truly cried was when her mother died.She is also proud,she never took welfare even when they needed."She was against welware and never applied for it despite our need, but championed those who availed themselves of it." One would have never thought that a woman who instilled such good values in her children , would be one to give up easily."I quit," she said, thinking she would never be able to drive. Shilsky is a woman who rarely, if ever, shows happiness. She just did her daily routine and moved on with her life.She was withdrawn and never open about her past, probably due to the fact that she was a Jew and wanted to avoid the basic stereotypes against Jews. Shilsky is overall a brave woman who could be a role model for all. I admired McBride for the respect he showed to his mother. He respected her but did not know her. His mother's background was a secret. It puzzled McBride that he did'nt know his past. "No one knew my past, my white mother, my dead father, nothing." He wanted to find his identity, as a result he journeyed to his mother's home town as a journalist. McBride at one point resorted to drugs to try and solve his problems. "Weed was my friend, it kept me running from the truth." More than 50% of teenagers may have probably thought of doing drugs but McBride turned that thought into reality. I believed the seen with Chicken Man made him turn his life around. Chicken Man said,"you think if you drop out of school somebody's gonna beg you to go back?" This chapter proves that role models can really have an impact on peoples' lives. Both individuals had a story worth telling. According to The Washington Times, The Color Of Water is "a standout among the current surfeit of memoirs about growing up black in the United States." The whole theme behind this story is a positive message which makes it a unique memoir.I am glad I got the opportunity to read it.