What recent top-selling book was written by an elderly African American man?

Question

I asked my mother what my father wants for Father's Day and she mentioned a book he wants, but all she knows that it was written by an elderly African American man (she thinks he's an academic). Presumably the book was written recently and has sold well, but I'm at a loss as to what it might be.

Any thoughts?

"The Pursuit of Happyness" was a good guess, but alas is not the book.

My guess would be that it's non-fiction, but I'm not certain.

It's not "White Guilt" either.

Answer 1

It is a little hard to know. The only thing close I see in current best-selling lists is "The Pursuit of Happyness" (spelled like that) by Chris Gardner, who is 51. It is the story of his life, from living on the streets to owning a top brokerage house in Chicago.

It might help if you knew: fiction or nonfiction? About a particular topic?

(I also found this, a best-selling book by Shelby Steele, who is well-known author and academic. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0060578629/ref=pd_ts_b_50/102-0602764-0276915?n=53&s=books&v=glance)

Answer 2

I kind of doubt this is what you're looking for, but try The Emperor of Ocean Park by Stephen Carter (He was born in 1954 so I wouldn't exactly call that elderly.) Carter is a professor and in the novel the main character is an academic.

Even if this isn't the same book that you're looking for, it's a good read.