Memoirs that taught me about more than just the person

by Mark Robinson

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5 books

The best stories, even the very personal stories, are about more than just me and more than just you. They are painted on a larger canvas. They are about our place in the larger world, how we fit or sometimes don’t. Here are a few that I enjoyed, including two by me.

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Place of Privilege

Young, Black and in an Unexpected Place of Privilege

Mark Robinson, Raymond Smaltz, 3rd, 2021

There are private schools all across the country, places with better resources, better teachers, and better budgets. By definition, these schools are not for the public. They are private. They are exclusive. They are for those who can afford better. Rarely does that include black students. In the 1960's, it almost never did. These are places of privilege.

Black on Madison Avenue

Mark Robinson, 2023

Advertising decides what America wants. And yet, for an industry that professes to be the vanguard of creativity, popular culture, and forward-thinking, advertising is one of the most un-diverse white-collar professions in America. And Madison Avenue would like to keep it that way. "Black on Madison Avenue" explains how - and why - the author landed on Madison Avenue and shares some of his incredible adventures over the past 40+ years. Mark Robinson was the co-founder of Spike/DDB, along with filmmaker Spike Lee, and has stories no one else could tell.

Between the World and Me

Ta-Nehisi Coates, 2015

Crafted as a letter to his preteen son, Ta-Nehisi Coates paints a picture of a flawed and hostile world and their place in it. Through the telling of his own experiences and stories, a father explains how ever-present violence, danger, and ambivalence are interwoven with purpose, love, and joy.

Wisdom of Our Fathers

Lessons and Letters from Daughters and Sons

Tim Russert, 2007

When NBC journalist Tim Russert wrote his deeply moving memoir about his father (“Big Russ & Me”), letters and emails flooded in from around the country, with everyone sharing cherished stories about their fathers. Some are great lessons. Some will make you cry. All will make your heart grow.

On Writing

Stephen King, 2002

King has written a master class on how to become a better writer. He has used the story of his own life and the progression of his own skills as the platform for the lesson. King’s narrative is humble, humorous, and extremely down to earth (read more!!) for any wannabe writer. It is enjoyable and very worthwhile.