Reviewed by Anne Boling for Readers' Favorite

As successful entrepreneur, Robert (Robbie) Watson realized that something was missing in his life. He had spent his life concentrating on his career. He was an African American businessman in a white man’s culture where he did not quite fit in. Neither did he feel that he truly fit into the “black experience.” He felt “isolated.” “He knew there would always be a gulf between what he believed in and what was acceptable to the establishment.” He grew up in Cleveland, Ohio in the 1950’s and 60’s. Racism and bigotry were part of his childhood. He quickly learned that even those who claimed to be a friend of the Negro had deep prejudice within their soul. After college Robbie, Josh Rosen and Samuel Gottlieb started their own software, digital services systems business, Logical Systems. Robbie worked full time while Josh and Samuel finished graduate school. They needed capital and began to look for investors. Robbie’s management experience was limited, but he seemed to have a talent in that area. A black man raped a business partner’s daughter. Suddenly, he saw Robbie as the enemy. Once again, Robbie faced unfairness because of the color of his skin. What seemed to be a time of impossible adversity turned into a time of great possibilities. Robbie had a tumultuous love life. He spent so much time breaking the racial barriers in the business world that he almost neglected his personal life. Three women loved him: Elena, Nisee, and Penney, but which one does he love?

Inventions by Paul Woodring takes a close look at relationships-- both personal and professional-- from the eyes of a thriving black businessman. Woodring cleverly illustrates the obstacles Robert Watson faces as he pursues a career in an era when it was almost unheard of for an African American to do well in business. I found it very interesting that while his family was proud of Robbie they were afraid to risk trusting his judgment.