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Same Kind of Different As Me: A Modern-Day Slave, an International Art Dealer, and the Unlikely Woman Who Bound Them Together

Description

A dangerous, homeless drifter who grew up picking cotton in virtual slavery.

An upscale art dealer accustomed to the world of Armani and Chanel.

A gutsy woman with a stubborn dream.

A story so incredible no novelist would dare dream it.

It begins outside a burning plantation hut in Louisiana . . . and an East Texas honky-tonk . . . and, without a doubt, in the heart of God. It unfolds in a Hollywood hacienda . . . an upscale New York gallery . . . a downtown dumpster . . . a Texas ranch.

Gritty with pain and betrayal and brutality, this true story also shines with an unexpected, life-changing love.

Reviews

Rating: 3 / 5
Date: 2010-09-05
Summary: "Same Kind of Different As Me"

I have very mixed feelings about this book. I was heartbroken for the life that Denver led in the early part of the story. It's horrifying to think what he went through and saw. Ron, on the other hand, irritated me pretty much from the start with his $160,000 car. While I think the story of the two men's friendship is important in that they had such different childhoods and backgrounds, I really don't see why they think it is such a "miracle" that a wealthy man and a poor man could connect as brothers ~ be they black or white.

The writing was mediocre and seemed to concentrate a lot on Ron's patting himself on the back with all of his possessions. I do feel that the men both loved Deborah very much, but I think the "ghost writer" went a little far in trying to showcase the differences in the two men with their grammar and storytelling styles.


I had looked forward to reading this book and I came away disappointed. First of all, I didn't know that I'd be reading a very descriptive account of cancer and what it does to a person and their loved ones. (I try not to read other reviews of a book that I will be reviewing ahead of time.)

The other issue I have is the flat out being preached at. I don't like people getting in my face about their beliefs and find it extremely annoying when it is done in a sneaky way in a book. I'm a spiritual person, but not religious. I have my own belief system and I choose when, where, and who I will get my religion from. I ended up skimming over many of the sections because of this. It just went over the top a bit for my tastes and took away from the premise of the book which was to be about the bond of these two men. I feel that if this book had just been about Denver and his life, it would have been a much better and more real story.

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Rating: 3 / 5
Date: 2010-09-05
Summary: "Present day true story narrated by two men: enlightening and self-serving"

This is the present day true story of two men: Denver Moore who was born into what amounts to slavery and lived on the streets until Ron Hall's wife made Ron go talk to him. The story is narrated by both men; the section by Denver Moore was very enlightening, but the section by Ron Hall came off a bit self-serving. The unlikely woman wasn't so very unlikely as she was Ron's wife. Decent read, fast paced.

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Rating: 5 / 5
Date: 2010-09-04
Summary: "Great Book!"

I just finished reading this inspirational and emotionally gripping true story of faith and friendship and would recommend it to anyone.
This book grabbed me right from the beginning and wouldn't let go. The story starts out on a plantation in Louisiana where we met Denver Moore. He was raised in virtual slavery of picking cotton for "the Man", we learn about the hardships and unbelievable living conditions that he was raised and lived in until his mid twenties when he then hopped a freight train. Ending up in Fort Worth, Texas he was homeless and learned how to be mean and dangerous in order to survive on the streets. At the same time the book starts in an East Texas town where we met Ron Hall, a lower class boy who works his way up in the art world to become an upscale art dealer. As the story unfolds we get a glimpse of these two men's lives and how they become unlikely friends. Through pain and suffering this book retells how God's light can shine in the darkest places.
Ron's wife Debbie convinces Ron that they should start serving at the homeless shelter after a dream she had. In another dream, she sees a man, Denver, who will change the city and she convinces Ron to be his friend. At this point, Denver doesn't have nor want any friends. It is a powerful look into two lives as both men are changed but unconditional love and God's grace. This book is a great picture of how we should love our neighbors. An incredible true story!

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Rating: 5 / 5
Date: 2010-09-04
Summary: "A Beautiful Story"

The Same Kind of Different As Me, by Ron Hall and Denver Moore, is a compelling true story about two completely different lives--one, a homeless drifter who grew up enslaved by a plantation owner picking cotton, the other, an upscale art dealer living the good life--and the woman who brought them together to become friends forever.

This story is told by each of the two men about their lives and how their lives changed because of the art dealer's wife. Deborah had a heart of gold and a vision for the homeless in her city. How her vision played out and affected the lives of all who knew her is a fascinating story that reminds us that we need to listen to the messages God puts in our hearts and never give up. She had enough faith for everyone. From the relationship between the two men, we learn that we aren't so different from others as we think we are.

I loved this book! It was very well written from the heart and perspective of each man. They were both brutally honest about their lives and their thoughts along the way and you walked away feeling like you knew them and their struggles. I don't want say much more but make sure you do have a box of kleenex handy when reading this.

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from Thomas Nelson to provide my honest review. This review contains my honest opinions.

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Rating: 5 / 5
Date: 2010-09-04
Summary: "Exceptional, humbling, endearing ..."

There just aren't enough words to capture the impact of this book. The emotions it evokes, the enlightenment it provides, the depth of wisdom is holds. This book is told through the mouths of the very men that lived what is probably the most profound, incredible and moving transition and transformation I've ever heard of. Reading as they share their experience in meeting, befriending, transforming and loving each other, is without a doubt, the essence of true christianity and definitive of what unconditional love is. As these men tell the story of their lives, this book allowed me to witness with my heart as I followed their journey, just how beautifully miraculous God is, and how he shapes us with his love and grace, through the love of others. Reading this novel was so captivating, moving and touching ... so enriching and eye opening, and incredibly humbling. It's a true spiritually visible miracle of God's amazing love and the ability of HIS love, to transform anyone, and any heart.