Reviews of Spitting Image are amazing, encouraging and humbling. Thanks to everyone who is reading, sharing and talking it up. Feel free to leave a comment here and to write a review of your own on Amazon.
Reviewed in the United States on December 1, 2020
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I did not expect the ending but I was genuinely touched. I slowed down as I neared the closing chapters because I was as interested in your story as I was in the details of how you got there. I traced your navigation in the book of the human elements as I sorted out your genealogical path on ancestry.com ...I was looking for insights into how people responded to you, your research and your determined drive to uncover more truth. Much of genealogical searching is tedious and lonely... few fathom the intense effort required. I found encouragement and a kindred spirit as I followed you online going where the science was leading. I am at that point in a portion of my own journey. Finding my own slave holding family members and then discerning through DNA matches my half cousins, I admit has stirred up a troubling array of emotions because I know they "see me" searching. You gave meaningful expression to some of those feelings in your narrative as you challenged me to see more of all sides than just my own. To wrestle with the pain suffered by family caused by others in the family; yet allow His grace to bring me to a place of forgiveness and and reconciliation so I could continue searching. Your commentaries throughout are a testimony of your Christian spirit and upbringing prevailing. You speak to the issues plaguing our society and culture even today with a good mix of love and grace, reason and clarity (I wish more of us possessed). Thank you for sharing your journey and story with me. I too believe it will help others and especially those who are searching to know more of the truth about their family... and are not afraid of what they might discover.
Reviewed in the United States on November 18, 2020
I just finished reading SPITTING IMAGE by Ron Levi that tells the story of his search for his biological family. In reality it is also the story of all of us as African Americans and inhabitant of these Americas. I so enjoyed taking this journey with him in discovering the history of his biological family and how the intersection of our lives are so connected to one another. I am encouraging everyone that is interested in genealogy or family history this is the book for you. Even if you just want a good book to read this is the one to get right now , I tell you I was hooked from the first page. Thanks Ron Levi for telling your story which really is all of our stories.
Reviewed in the United States on November 14, 2020
I really enjoyed this book! I was impressed with how much information the Author was able to gather about all of his family. There were parts that made me laugh and parts that made me cry. It didn't end the way I thought it would, but it ended the way it was supposed to!
GOODREADS REVIEWS
Tracey Martin
A total page turner about one man's phenomenal genetic journey that spans across chasms of race, class, time and the globe. As a veteran child protection attorney, to me, this memoir covers the intersectionality between the quest for personal identity using the science of newly accessible DNA technology in finding one's true roots. Exploring concepts like "genetic reparations," race as a mere social construct, and unity in hyper divided times---makes this tome timely, relatable and highly relevant.
More than just an adoptee’s journey of self-discovery, Spitting Image is particularly relevant in 2020 when people across earth are feeling increasingly separate from one another. White, Black, Asian, Hispanic, Indian, American, Foreigner, Democrat, Republican… all labels used to separate. Ronald G. Levi Jr’s research helps readers to discover that we are really all connected to one another. The extent of his research, and the connections to names we all know was nothing short of amazing. The book left me wanting more, even though the mystery had already been solved. Hollywood will just have to make a movie out of this, so we can all get more of it!.