Manchild in a Promised Land is all the things reviewers say: important, a real look at urban street life and the pain it inflicts. But it's also true it's not necessarily well-structured and you could argue the main character is not very likable.

The story chronicles Claude's youth and how difficult it was to grow up in Harlem for a young black male in the 40's,50's,and 60's. By the end, you can feel how the roots of slavery, poverty, institutional racism impact him. It's more meaningful education than any history class can offer.