Books

What Doesn't Kill You Makes You Blacker

A Memoir in Essays

by Damon Young

Hardcover, 307 pages, Ecco, List Price: $27.99 |

purchase

Buy Featured Book

Title: What Doesn't Kill You Makes You Blacker
Subtitle: A Memoir in Essays
Author: Damon Young

Your purchase helps support NPR programming. How?

NPR Summary

The co-founder of VerySmartBrothas.com presents a provocative and humorous memoir-in-essays that explores the direct impact of racism on his life, the shifting definition of black-male identity and the ongoing realities of white supremacy.

Genres:

NPR stories about What Doesn't Kill You Makes You Blacker

Review

Book Reviews

'What Doesn't Kill You' Is A Humorous, Authentic Take On Growing Up Black

Fresh Air

May 3, 2019 • In his new book of essays, Damon Young, co-founder of the blog Very Smart Brothas, sticks it to his high school bully — while also offering insights into race, power and how to be a modern man.

'What Doesn't Kill You' Is A Humorous, Authentic Take On Growing Up Black

Listen · 5:18 5:18

Download
Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/719991374/720033628" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
Transcript

Review

Book Reviews

'What Doesn't Kill You Makes You Blacker' Is A Powerful Look At One Black Man's Life

March 26, 2019 • Writer, critic and humorist Damon Young chronicles his efforts to endure the battles that come with being black; the beauty of his book is that he never tries to make it comfortable for his audience.

'What Doesn't Kill You' Navigates The Challenges Of Existing While Black

Ecco

Author Interviews

'What Doesn't Kill You' Navigates The Challenges Of Existing While Black

March 23, 2019 • Damon Young's new memoir is full of pointed, thoughtful, barbed and funny essays about the ways race has affected his life, and the lives of his family — and about his hopes for the next generation.

'What Doesn't Kill You' Navigates The Challenges Of Existing While Black

Listen · 7:29 7:29

Download
Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/705844250/706143996" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
Transcript