Soledad Talks Manology

Soledad talked to Tyrese Gibson & Rev Run (of Run D.M.C.) about their new book Manology: Secrets of Your Man's Mind Revealed.

Rev Run of Run DMC and Tyrese Gibson offer insight on life, love, exposing men and the many games they play, and how to finally find happiness in your relationships.

Tyrese and Rev are unlikely best friends—Rev is married with six kids and Tyrese is a single dad still hesitant to settle down. But after an unexpected disagreement in which Rev insisted that marriage is forever, and Tyrese pushed that you could bail when the sex went bad, the two decided not just to agree to disagree but to team up and open their debate to a larger audience. Even though they’re at different points in their journeys, both have clear insights on what it takes to make a relationship work and what can sink it instantly.

Manology is a guide to regaining your relationship confidence and weeding out the cheaters, MANipulators, and pimps from the good men. Just follow Tyrese and Rev’s advice and finally understand the reasons behind your man’s actions. Some men’s behavior can’t be changed, but it’s better to face the truth. No matter how painful or distressing that truth might be, if you know it, you can confront it and move past it. Tyrese and Rev acknowledge that it can be difficult for men to open up, but they present real strategies for men and women to have honest and open discussions about relationship expectations.

With Rev’s hard-earned knowledge on what it takes to make a marriage work, and Tyrese’s sometimes uncomfortable but always straight talk on the single man’s mind-set, Manology is your one true source of knowledge to help you take control of your love life and truly understand your man. 

Soledad in DC

Soledad O'Brien will be at the Newseum in Washington DC at 2:30 pm tomorrow (2/6) for a reading and signing for her book, The Next Big Story.

The Next Big Story Is Book of the Month

Soledad O'Brien's The Next Big Story has been picked to be the February book of the month for the Las Comadres and Friends National Latino Book Club.

Las Comadres Para Las Americas is an informal internet-based group that meets monthly in many U.S. cities to build connections and community with other Latinas.

O'Brien Book Excerpt

While on assignment in New Orleans, Soledad O’Brien spent an evening (January 5th) at the National Civil Rights Museum reading from and signing copies of her latest book The Next Big Story.

The following is an excerpt from the first chapter of her book which she read at the event.

"I’m eleven. My sister Estela is fourteen. We’re at a photographer’s studio to get a picture taken to give to our parents. The studio is on the main street in Smithtown, Long Island, not that far from where we live. The photographer says, “Forgive me if I’m offending you, but are you black?”

For a moment, I’m speechless. I turn the comment over in my head. I can’t figure out what he means. My sister is light-years ahead of me. She starts to shred the guy. “Offend us? Offend us? By asking if we are black?” He is maybe thirty but he seems old to us. He has dark brown hair and he’s tall. He’s white and we’re two mixed-race girls trying to get our picture taken as an anniversary present for our parents. It’s 1977. I’m this cheery, optimistic kid who suddenly feels quite sunk. I just stand there in my big sister’s shadow. I’m trying to figure out why the nice-sounding words make me feel small and embarrassed. The photographer is being exceedingly polite but he’s crushing my girlish self-confidence. “Forgive me if I’m offending you . . .” What is that supposed to mean? Why would it be offensive if he were to call me black? I am black. I am also Latina, and half white through my Australian father."

"The Next Big Thing" Makes Best Of List

Critic, Kam Williams lists Soledad O'Brien's The Next Big Story: My Journey Through the Land of Possibilities (Celebra Books)as one of his Best Black Books (non-fiction) for 2010.

"In this engaging autobiography, CNN’s Soledad O’Brien revisits her challenging formative years in order to illustrate how overcoming childhood adversity perhaps served to shape not only her personality but her compassionate approach to her career as an award-winning television journalist. Whether it was being asked “Are you black?” by a portrait photographer at the age of 11, being teased “If you’re a [N-word] why don’t you have big lips?” by an 8th grader in the hallway at school, or having to hear “Why do I have to sit next to the black girl?” coming from the sister of a friend, Soledad suffered a host of indignities on the path to the peak of her profession.

Fortunately, once in a position to make a difference while covering disasters like the Great Tsunami, Hurricane Katrina or the Haitian Earthquake, this intrepid reporter has kept the pedal to the metal in an indefatigable quest to shed light on the plight of the least of her brethren. As for her private life, we learn that the freckle-faced, dedicated mother of four was an ugly duckling who never dated in high school before blossoming in Boston where she met her husband, Brad.

A moving memoir which does justice to the effervescent spirit and unbridled intellectual curiosity of a truly empathetic soul my faithful readers already know just might be the brightest person I’ve had the privilege of interviewing."

My Latino Voice Interviews Soledad O'Brien

CNN Anchor and Special Correspondent Soledad O'Brien spoke with My Latino Voice about her new book The Next Big Story: My Journey Through the Land of Possibilities. In a video interview, she reflects on the successes and challenges of her journey from her upbringing in a predominantly white NY neighborhood.

The book is her personal journey in overcoming adversity as well as a historical resource, with behind-the scenes commentary on the events and people she has covered as a journalist.

Soledad O'Brien On Book Tour

Today, Soledad O'Brien, fresh from a family holiday in Spain, did a reading from her new book, The Next Big Story: My Journey Through the Land of Possibilities (Celebra Books) at the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis.

Her next reading will be at the Borders on St. Charles Ave in New Orleans on January 11 at 7 pm.

Soledad O'Brien Book Tour

Soledad O'Brien reading and book signing at the Borders bookstore
at Columbus Circle, NYC. - November 2010

The Next Big Story

From top CNN anchor and special correspondent Soledad O'Brien comes The Next Big Story - a highly personal look at her biggest reporting moments from Hurricane Katrina, the tsunami in Southeast Asia, the devastating Haiti earthquake to the historic elections and high profile interviews with everyday Americans. Drawing on her own unique background and consciousness as well as her experiences as a journalist at the front lines of the most provocative issues in today's society - and particularly from her work as host of the acclaimed series Black in America and Latino in America - O'Brien offers her candid, clear-eyed take on where we are as a country and where we're going. What emerges is both an inspiring message of hope and a glimpse into the heart and soul of one of America's most straight-talking reporters.

 

Before The Next Big Story

Here is a brief excerpt from Soledad O'Brien's memoir, The Next Big Story: My Journey Through the Land of Possibilities, which was published November 2 by Penguin Books.

It's from the first chapter when Soledad was 11 and first coming to terms with her own racial identity and the way it would be perceived by others.

I'm eleven. My sister Estela is fourteen. We're at a photographer's studio to get a picture taken to give to our parents. The studio is on the main street in Smithtown, Long Island, not that far from where we live. The photographer says, "Forgive me if I'm offending you, but are you black?" For a moment, I'm speechless. I turn the comment over in my head. I can't figure out what he means. My sister is light-years ahead of me. She starts to shred the guy. "Offend us? Offend us? By asking if we are black?" He is maybe thirty but he seems old to us. He has dark brown hair and he's tall. He's white and we're two mixed-race girls trying to get our picture taken as an anniversary present for our parents. It's 1977. I'm this cheery, optimistic kid who suddenly feels quite sunk.

I just stand there in my big sister's shadow. I'm trying to figure out why the nice-sounding words make me feel small and embarrassed...

Continue reading at http://www.cnn.com/2010/LIVING/11/11/inam.soledad.excerpt2/

Soledad O'Brien's 'The Next Big Story' Book Debuts Today

Soledad O'Brien's latest book, The Next Big Story: My Journey Through the Land of Possibilities, is being released today, November 2nd.

The look is her personal look behind her most compelling reporting moments and how it has shaped her perspective on America's future.

"Story is our medium. It's how we connect emotionally with our viewers. And it's how we make sense of our world," says O'Brien.

When we talk about a 'big story,' we're really talking about what resonates with people, what matters to them...And I think when it comes to our national narrative, what we need to realize is that we're all contributing to the story, that we can affect where this country is going."

From Amazon.com:

From top CNN anchor and special correspondent Soledad O'Brien comes a highly personal look at her biggest reporting moments from Hurricane Katrina, the tsunami in Southeast Asia, the devastating Haiti earthquake to the historic elections and high profile interviews with everyday Americans. Drawing on her own unique background and consciousness as well as her experiences as a journalist at the front lines of the most provocative issues in today's society-and particularly from her work as host of the acclaimed series Black in America and Latino in America-O'Brien offers her candid, clear-eyed take on where we are as a country and where we're going.

What emerges is both an inspiring message of hope and a glimpse into the heart and soul of one of America's most straight-talking reporters.

Also by Soledad O'Brien:  Latino in America

Soledad O'Brien Busy Despite Injury

Despite being in the process of recovering from a serious injury to her knee, CNN's Soledad O'Brien seems to be busier than ever.

She was injured when she was thrown from her horse while riding October 3rd with her daughters, Sofia and Cecilia.

It came as she was starting the promotional touring for her latest CNN documentary in the Black in America series called 'Almighty Debt' that premiered on Oct. 21st.

It doesn't appear that she canceled any events and has been seen on and off crutches.

She had knee surgery on October 22.

Soledad also has a new  book due out in early November titled The Next Big Story: My Journey Through the Land of Possibilities.

Last year, she co-wrote the Latino in America book that accompanied her CNN documentary of the same name.

O'Brien Interviews Author of "The Presumption of Guilt"

       92Y Video: Charles Ogletree with Soledad O’Brien

On June 30, Charles Ogletree was interviewed by Soledad O’Brien about his book, The Presumption of Guilt at the 92nd Street Y in New York City.

The book deals with last year’s arrest of Harvard professor Henry Louis Gates, Jr. for attempting to "break into" his own home.

Mr. Ogletree singled out class as playing a significant role in the event. In fact, he argues, the issue was about class before it was about race. A confrontation between a white, working class Cambridge police officer and an affluent, accomplished, black Harvard professor.

Soledad O'Brien and Her Daughter in Haiti

Soledad O'Brien coninues to tell the stories of Haiti. Last night she guest-hosted Larry King Live with a show on Haiti 6 months later.

CNN has posted an excerpt from her upcoming book. The excerpt focuses on a trip to Haiti she made a few weeks ago with her daughter Sofia.


Here is the opening of the excerpt from Soledad O'Brien's upcoming book, The Next Big Story.

(CNN)  I returned to Haiti in mid June, over a month after having produced a documentary called Rescued on two children whose precarious lives depend on an orphanage run by American Christian missionaries. I don't have another story to report. I just want to go back. I am haunted by these kids. Cendy Juene is just 6 and she has no one person in the world caring for her, just the kindness of the staff at the Light House orphanage. Mark Kenson Olibris, the caretaker at the orphanage, is a young man who has grew up there and now promises he will help rebuild Haiti. They are so resilient, so inspiring, they leave me wanting to know how life is unfolding in their shaky circumstances. I decide to take my oldest daughter Sofia who is nine. She looks totally thrilled we are going together. So am I. I see this as an opportunity to share with her a major lesson I have learned from my time in Haiti. That one person can change the world, if only by changing a piece of it.

She takes a breath when we land, not from the jolt of the plane, but out of pure excitement. I am so happy to be taking this trip with her. The people in the plane clap and so does she too. I love the sight of her...

Continue reading at edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/americas/07/12/soledad.obrien.haiti

 

The Next Big Story by Soledad O'Brien Due Out in November

Coming November 2010

The Next Big Story: My Journey Through the Land of Possibilities by Soledad O'Brien and Rose Marie Arce

An intimate look behind the CNN journalist's most compelling reporting moments and how it has shaped her perspective on America's future.

"Story is our medium. It's how we connect emotionally with our viewers. And it's how we make sense of our world...When we talk about a 'big story,' we're really talking about what resonates with people, what matters to them...And I think when it comes to our national narrative, what we need to realize is that we're all contributing to the story, that we can affect where this country is going."

From top CNN anchor and special correspondent Soledad O'Brien comes a highly personal look at her biggest reporting moments from Hurricane Katrina, the tsunami in Southeast Asia, the devastating Haiti earthquake to the historic elections and high profile interviews with everyday Americans. Drawing on her own unique background and consciousness as well as her experiences as a journalist at the front lines of the most provocative issues in today's society-and particularly from her work as host of the acclaimed series Black in America and Latino in America-O'Brien offers her candid, clear-eyed take on where we are as a country and where we're going.

What emerges is both an inspiring message of hope and a glimpse into the heart and soul of one of America's most straight-talking reporters.

Soledad O'Brien is a CNN anchor and special correspondent whose award-winning documentaries include Black in America and Eyewitness to Murder: The King Assassination. Her awards include the Emmy, Peabody, duPont, Gracie Allen, Clara Barton, Hispanic Heritage, and NAACP's President's Award.

pre-order The Next Big Story at Amazon.com now

Latino in America Book Excerpt

An excerpt from Latino in America by Soledad O'Brien with Rose Marie Arce published by arrangement with Celebra, a member of Penguin Group (USA), Inc. is posted on CNN's website at
http://www.cnn.com/2010/LIVING/05/13/soledad.obrien.heritage/

"When you have a name like María de la Soledad Teresa O'Brien, you have a lot of explaining to do. My mother is black and also Latina, more specifically Cuban. She is a devout Catholic who credits the Virgin Mary with any success she's had in this country. But it was my father, a man who spoke no Spanish, who chose the name María de la Soledad to honor the Blessed Virgin Mary of Solitude ("solitude" in Spanish is soledad).

My name is altogether too long for Americans, who've always struggled with it. It's even too long for a driver's license. African-Americans assume I'm named after the notorious Soledad prison or Mount Soledad in California. Latinos want to know if I'm lonely. That doesn't fit because I grew up with five siblings and I have four kids of my own, so I'm not lonely at all, though I do often seek solitude, the actual meaning of my name."

If It Takes A Village, Build One

Soledad with Malaak Compton-Rock

Soledad's book recommendation (via Facebook): Malaak Compton Rock's book: If It Takes A Village Build One: How I How I Found Meaning Through a Life of Service.

Service is the rent we pay for living" says preeminent children's advocate Marian Wright Edelman and this is the motto by which Malaak Compton Rock, dedicated humanitarian and wife of comedian Chris Rock, lives her life. From a childhood grounded in the importance of giving back to her work in public relations at The U.S. Fund for UNICEF to becoming a full-time mother and humanitarian, Malaak's life has fully embodied this sentiment.

Part memoir, part practical guide, If It Takes a Village, Build One offers readers insightful advice on everything from how to find just the right volunteer opportunity, how to get kids involved in a life of service, how to research charities, and even how to start a nonprofit, as Malaak did several years ago. All of this practical wisdom is grounded in inspirational anecdotes about her own experience with service, including her work with Katrina rebuilding and her recent brainchild, Journey for Change: Empowering Youth Through Global Service, a program for at-risk kids from Bushwick, Brooklyn, which takes teens on a two week service mission to South Africa to volunteer and experience the world.

The book also features interviews with other well known humanitarians, like PR powerhouse Terrie M. Williams, activist Bobby Shriver, and journalist Soledad O'Brien and engaging sidebars with interesting facts about service and nuggets of advice. At the end of the narrative readers will find a compendium of information including Malaak's favorite charities, unique service ideas, and suggested reading and web resources, which will make this a book to be visited time and time again.

Far from being preachy or sanctimonious, Malaak's warm voice reminds us all that giving back is ultimately easier and infinitely more fulfilling than we thought it could be. Warm, honest, and accessible, If it Takes a Village, Build One will be the must-have book (and perfect gift!) for aspiring do-gooders.

        Amazon review

RELATED  http://soledadobrieninfo.blogspot.com/2009/08/soledad-obrien-with-malaak-compton-rock.html



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Soledad O'Brien - Transcending Race in America

Did you know interracial marriage was illegal in 16 states until 1967?

The life stories in each volume of  "Transcending Race in America: Biographies of Biracial Achievers" ask and answer this question: What is it like to be biracial in America--to have a mother and a father from different races?

The series is for young adult readers.

Soledad O'Brien is the title of the book by David Robson that is part of the "Transcending Race in America" series.

Others in the series include historical and contemporary biographies: Alicia Keys, Beyonce, David Blaine, Halle Berry, Derek Jeter, Frederick Douglass, Mariah Carey, Prince, Rosa Parks, Salma Hayey and W.E.B. DuBois.

David Robson's young adult books include The Murder of Emmett Till, The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict, Auschwitz, The Black Arts Movement, The Kennedy Assassination, and The Devil.

SoledadOBrien.info

Soledad O'Brien in "What I Know Now About Success" Book

Ellyn Spragins will discuss elements of success gleaned from her upcoming book What I Know Now About Success: Letters from Extraordinary Women to Their Younger Selves, which contains pieces of wisdom from women like Barbara Walters, Diane von Furstenberg, Kate Spade and Soledad O’Brien in letters to their younger selves.

Mary Lou Quinlan, an entrepreneur and CEO of Just Ask A Woman who is in Ellyn’s book, will read her letter aloud and discuss her book What She’s Not Telling You.

Sometimes finding your passion and what you really want starts with facing your truth. And that as women, we don’t always admit what’s behind our words and promises.

Tuesday, January 5th at 9:00am PDT/ 12:00pm EDT

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