Advance praise for
More Than I Imagined
“In this riveting and provocative memoir, John Blake transcends preconceived notions about race and the Black and White ‘divide.’ More Than I Imagined takes the reader on a compelling and courageous journey
that bears witness to the realities of systemic racism, the complexity of identity within that system, and the possibilities of reconciliation. In so doing, Blake’s story beautifully underscores that the personal is always
political.” More Than I Imagined takes the reader on a compelling and courageous journey in this riveting and provocative memoir, John Blake transcends preconceived notions about race and the Black and White ‘divide.’
—Robin DiAngelo, New York Times bestselling author of White Fragility
“John Blake incisively covers news of today’s racial divide, but it’s his own story that truly deserves to be broadcast.”
—Heather McGhee, New York Times bestselling author of The Sum of Us
“An incredibly moving memoir that both examines and complicates our understanding of race in America today, More Than I Imagined is overflowing with empathy and full of humanity. It is well worth reading.”
—Clint Smith, New York Times bestselling author of How the Word Is Passed
“In my role as a public thinker, many journalists reach out to me, but I tell John Blake things I don’t tell any other journalist. He is sensitive to the moment and can read the racial and religious winds as they change.
He has thought deeply about his own bi-racial identity and his experiences growing up in Baltimore—and he brings these keen insights to the topics he’s covering. Amid the recent surge of attention given to
faith and race, Blake provides the kind of steady and studied analysis that we need to understand these critical topics.”
—Jemar Tisby, New York Times bestselling author of The Color of Compromise
“John Blake takes us on a heartbreaking, powerful journey of personal, familial, and possibly national redemption. Truth-telling and working to confront those uncomfortable truths are at the core of this engaging
and wrenching memoir.”
—Carol Anderson, Ph.D., New York Times bestselling author of White Rage
“More Than I Imagined impacted me far more than I could have possibly imagined. John Blake is spot-on when he writes, ‘facts don’t change people; relationships do.’ I needed this book; our nation needs this
book. Thank you, John. Highly recommend!”
—Andy Stanley, pastor, founder of North Point Ministries and author of Not In It to Win It
“John Blake’s memoir takes us on a twisting personal journey with a surprise around every bend. In the process, you realize he’s living out the tattered history of race in America. Then comes the biggest surprise of all: This is a book of gutsy hope and not of despair, of reconciliation and not of hatred. Both sides of the racial divide need the voice that Blake is uniquely qualified to offer.”
—Philip Yancey, author of What’s So Amazing About Grace?
“More Than I Imagined testifies to the deepest truth that America cannot change unless Americans change. John Blake’s tender, powerful reckoning with his family’s history, secrets, myths, and divisions shows how we as a country can find a pathway to wholeness.”
—Eric Liu, author of Become America
