ALMOST PERSUADED

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Almost Persuaded is author Nancy Hall's seventh book, a collection comprising twelve of her essays, commentaries, and short stories, a collection which vividly paints a picture of the world around her based upon her keen observations and her sometimes difficult life experiences. In her essay "The Hidden Dirt Uncovered, " she takes to task political candidates for the way they try to sweet talk and exploit black people to get these people's votes, and she warns such candidates that "they are going to hell if they don't follow the laws in the Bible. There is no fire escape down there." In her short story "Pin Me Down, " she introduces the reader to Mr. John and Mr. Hill, two conscientious, dedicated, and hard-working black men who undertake, and successfully accomplish, the extraordinarily difficult job of cleaning up an incredibly messy neighborhood, a job that neither the neighborhood's city nor anyone else has the gumption to do. This story illustrates that sometimes regular, decent people are the best at getting things done. In "Jesus Is Coming, " she reveals that Jesus won't appear in New York City, attired in a three-piece suit and alligator shoes, and riding down the main streets in a shining car, no, He will, instead, appear walking down a run-down back street, wearing sneakers, jeans, a polo shirt, and a baseball cap. At the story's end she warns, "A true believer should stop acting like a make-believer. They should let their light shine, so others may see Jesus in them, rather than being broken lights. Jesus is coming whether that light is shining or busted." Nancy Hall has gained considerable hard-won wisdom and experience forged in the adversity, injustice, and discrimination she has faced in her life, invaluable wisdom and experience that no one not in such circumstances could ever acquire. And in this collection of her works, she conveys many such nuggets of this wisdom and experience that will serve as confirmation and validation for some, and an eye-opening education for others. This collection of Ms. Hall's works will give any reader, regardless of ethnicity and economic status, pause for serious thought and reflection -- and, in some cases, will cause outright anger.