Reviewed by Rosie Malezer for Readers' Favorite

From the Corner to the Corner Office: A Blueprint for Success is an inspirational autobiography, providing the stepping stones of building self-confidence, written by James A. Barlow. Living in a world where racism is rife and white supremacy seems to take the reins, James A. Barlow talks about how a strong line has been drawn between those of color and those of white heritage. In the United States, minority students have less access to qualified teachers, lucky to even end up with a teacher with any qualifications. Learning from a very young age that if you are not white, you are fast left behind by the government, life is expected to be difficult. Raised with love, guidance and strength by his father, and with a mother who was so absent that it seemed easier to say she was dead, James A. Barlow forged ahead, going from life on the streets to graduating with honors from university, becoming a man to be respected, showing those who treat Blacks and Latinos like riff-raff that color does not determine your strength, intelligence or the fact that you matter.

As an Indigenous Australian woman, I eagerly grabbed James A. Barlow’s book from the shelf. Initially, I simply wanted to compare the difference between life in Australia from that in the United States. The journey and lessons I took from James’ remarkable life, regardless of the obstacles, were quite profound, and I discovered that although the reality for non-whites in both countries is quite similar, it is equally unique on several levels. Children in the United States are taught that subservient roles are quite the norm for Blacks and Latinos, with sub-par education, healthcare, housing and employment to be expected throughout their lives. America’s so-called history, taught by uneducated teachers, is vastly different to factual history, just as in Australia, so that the student only learns what the government sees as beneficial. With every turn of the page, my eyes were opened to the fact that non-white American citizens are expected to adjust to this abhorrent behavior, and to the fact that they have little to no chance of becoming somebody of substance. Learning to believe in one’s self is a key ingredient in the recipe of success, especially for those of us who are beaten down emotionally and intellectually from the moment we are born. From the Corner to the Corner Office: A Blueprint for Success is one of the toughest, yet inspirational tales I have read to date, and I strongly – and wholeheartedly – recommend it to readers young and old, not only so they can discover that they are unique, but they can strive for greatness, and thrive when they reach their destination.