Thoughts From a Unicorn Book Review

“Born to an African-American Orthodox Jewish family, MaNisshtana has spent his life being Black, being Jewish, fielding questions and accusations from all sides, and occasionally just Being. Through this witty, straight-talking collection of memoirs, essays, and a few haikus, this ‘not autobiography’ lends insight on his love of peanut butter & jelly, reflections on loss, fond memories, honest regrets, and experience-induced commentary on the social, racial, and religious politics and intersections of the American-Jewish community and today’s African-American attitudes.”
– Excerpted from the Book jacket

Earlier this year, Simon Scharma published “The Story of the Jews,” a fairly comprehensive examination of Jewish history covering the past twenty-five hundred years. That encyclopedic opus was also turned into a very compelling PBS documentary which was narrated by the author, a tenured professor at Columbia University.

The only criticism I have of the series is that it didn’t devote an episode to the African-American Jews of New York. To get a sense of what life is like for a brother from Brooklyn who is both black and Jewish, check out Thoughts of a Unicorn, a meandering memoir written by a mysterious figure who refers to himself as MaNishtana.

I suspect that the name might be an alias because Ma Nishtana (with a space) is also the term for “The Four Questions” traditionally posed on Passover at the start of the Seder ritual. Regardless, the author is otherwise very forthcoming about the fact that he was born in 1982 into an Orthodox family that can trace its Jewish roots in the United States back seven generations.

This “not-autobiography” proves to be an impossible-to-pigeonhole mix of poetry, personal anecdotes, acerbic witticisms, wistful reflections, favorite quotes and too hip for the room sarcasm reading like the stream of consciousness of a Hebrew Hunter S. Thompson. Featuring colorful chapter headings ranging from “Uncle Tom’s Shteibel” to “Ham: The Other Black Meat” to “I Won’t Should on You If You Don’t Should on Me,” this gonzo equal opportunity offender takes no prisoners in the process of sharing a unique, sophisticated and sincere perspective of the world worthy of contemplation.

Think Lenny Bruce in blackface.

To order a copy of Thoughts from a Unicorn, visit:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0615747582/ref%3dnosim/smallbusin0f7-20

Thoughts from a Unicorn:

100% Black. 100 Jewish. 0% Safe.

By MaNishtana

Foreword by Saul Sudin

Hyphen Publishing

Paperback, $19.95

392 pages, Illustrated

ISBN: 978-0-61574758-3

Hot this week

Did David Wineland and Serge Haroche Steal Idea For The Nobel Physics Prize?

Dr. Omerbashich says the Royal Swedish Academy is a Crime Scene and he has the proof that Nobel laureates stole his discovery.

New Approaches to Disaster Relief Challenges

Disaster relief has always been a challenge. NASA, Google,...

3 Legitimate Money Making Methods to Supplement Your Income

In a perfect world, when your landlord raises your...

2016 Predictions by World Renowned Medium and Psychic Lindy Baker

World renowned medium and psychic Lindy Baker is interviewed by The Hollywood Sentinel, discussing psychic power, the spirit world, life after death, areas of concern in 2016, and much more.

Digital Coupon Customers Spending More Than Double At Stores

A new study shows that customers who use digital coupons go shopping more for groceries and other household goods more often and spend more on their shopping trips.

New Study Reveals States with Narrowest Gender Gaps in Traffic Fatalities

Dallas, TX – July 2025 A groundbreaking study from...

Israel-Hamas War, What Has Israel Been Missing

The constant question one who follows this war is...

Azerbaijan and Armenia Work Towards Peace Treaty

After years of fighting each other, Azerbaijan and Armenia are working towards a peace treaty but there are obstacles, including a lack of trust.

Top IR Tools for Retail Engagement: How Arx Helps Public Companies Compete

Key Takeaways: Arx is a Tel Aviv-based investor relations...

LAJFF Reminds Us Of The Beatles And More

The Los Angeles Jewish Film Festival (LAJFF) is celebrating...

Listo Expands with Major NHL Partnerships at Bridgestone Arena and Xcel Energy Center

Listo, a next-generation premium experience and hospitality platform, is...

Don’t Demand Respect While Rejecting the Host Culture

Why demanding respect from the West without self-reflection falls flat. A powerful defense of Western values and cultural boundaries.

Related Articles

Popular Categories