Our Uncle Sam

Our Uncle Sam
Erik Greene
Trafford Publishing
ISBN: 141206498-8
Non-Fiction, Biography
Reviewed by Dr. Tami Brady

As I’m writing this review, I’ve got my favorite Sam Cooke tunes playing in the background. These are some of the most timeless pieces of music ever recorded. Every so often, I take them out, dust them off, and take a listen. My mood changes and somehow my day gets better.
There are plenty of biographies about Sam Cooke. His life makes an interesting story. Born into a large family, son of a minister, Sam started in gospel music and eventually became an R&B and pop superstar. Sam was also well known as a lady’s man, a business man, and a human rights advocate. To this day, people still wonder about the real story behind his suspicious death.
Our Uncle Sam is unique among Sam Cooke biographies. This book is written by Sam’s great nephew and includes stories from various relatives. I absolutely loved this concept. Family knows, and still loves you nonetheless, throughout both the good and bad. Therefore, I felt that this biography presented a really balanced story about Sam, where he came from, what drove him to succeed, and what was really important to him. Moreover, I was touched at this family’s everlasting love and devotion to Sam’s memory and to the loving foundations set out by Annie Mae and Charles Cook Sr.