Sampson DavisReseñas

I'm not the main demographic for this book, I did not like it and I understand why some people would love/need to read it. Again just not my thing.

Three young men growing up in Newark, New Jersey made a pact in high school to support each other and stick together and go on to college together.
The young men include:
George Jenkins who always wanted to be a dentist. He was encouraged at an early age to go to college. George had the most stable environment of the three.
Sampson Davis who at an early age realized his mother could not read. Her own mother had died when she was seven, so his mother helped to take care of her brothers and sisters and then married at fifteen. Sampson’s mother encouraged him to go to school and get good grades.
Rameck Hunt who both parents were addicted to drugs. He was raised by his beloved grandmother.
Their home town of Newark was a dangerous place lots of drugs, shootings and other illegal activity. Only one the three of them managed to stay out of trouble growing up. All three young men agreed to go to Seaton Hall together to become doctors. I think that at times they believed it would never happen and it was just a whim.
Going to college wasn’t easy. They were smart and made good grades. There were many pitfalls along the way, including money issues, things they weren’t prepared for, but all three of them made it and became doctors and returned to the area where they grew up to practice. They founded a foundation to encourage students to make goals and realize them. They were also in demand as motivational speakers. This is an uplifting read and could be used as motivation for students.

The Pact follows three young men who grew up in inner-city Newark and, at a young age, realized that they wanted to pursue an education and career in medicine. Drs. Sampson Davis, George Jenkins, and Rameck Hunt each tell parts of the story that intertwine and overlap, giving the reader insight into the difficulties they faced. What is most striking about this story is that these men chose a path that was completely foreign to anything they were used to seeing on a day-by-day basis. More than once the authors emphasize that they were not exposed to many other options besides dropping out of school, stealing, selling drugs, and running the streets. The fact that they made a conscious decision to do something different and then proceeded to overcome any obstacle put in their way is admirable.

This is a valuable story to pass on to students who find themselves in similar situations and who need encouragement to see that their future is not decided for them. I have already recommended this book to a student who is facing the same decision these men made. The narrative is told in a very straightforward way, which makes it accessible to non-readers but might bore more seasoned readers. While I was compelled to read because of the nature of the subject matter, I would otherwise not have pushed forward because of the simple writing style. However, it's a great resource to have in a class library and I can see it as something inspiring for young people.

Great book for struggling students.

This book is a biography details the lives of three young men from Newark, New Jersey. Those around them were involved in drugs and gangs and often went to prison. The three boys stayed together and pushed one another to become educated and eventually become doctors. The story highlights how important it is to have supportive- long term friendships. The three boys work together to “beat the street” and accomplish their dreams. I liked this book because of its inspirational message and its value on friendship. I also liked how the book switched between the authors writing and real life quotes and conversations from the 3 boys. It kept the book interesting and made it an easy read.

Certainly an eye-opener. An uplifting success story concerning Dr. Sampson, though. Recommended. KH

Three boys are growing up on the tough streets of Newark, New Jersey, USA. This is the story of the pact they made to improve their lives through providing support to each other through the bad times. They each made it through high school, college, and medical school whilst their childhood friends followed another path into criminal activity. Today, the three doctors give back to their communities in the hope of inspiring young people to follow their path, rather than he usual one of crime on the streets.

Some of their messages; 'Find people who inspire and encourage you and stick with them. Pick your friends carefully - those with goals similar to yours'... "The person who is successful is the one who doesn't quit".

An inspiring story, told in a series of chapters on each boy during their journey. Excellent reading material for teens.½

Sampson Davis could very easily have gone the other way. Fortunately, he overcame the bad influences he encountered on the tough streets of Newark and became a doctor. Instead of turning his back on his past he ultimately ended up working in the emergency room in his old neighborhood. His explanations of what he encounters in doing his job are informative and often graphic examples of inner city life. He also includes a lot of informative and helpful medical material from several sources. Although the author directs his information and remarks specifically to the African American community this account is important for all people. This is an important book because it addresses many health problems as well as practical advice for individuals and society as a whole. Any compassionate, caring, informed citizen should read this book. Thank you Dr. Sampson Davis for you compassionate care and all your efforts reaching out to as many people as possible.
I received this book in a Goodreads Giveaway and I am so glad that I did.

I did not read "The Pact." I picked this book up by accident. I am glad that I did. This book goes into detail on Sampson Davis's road to becoming a E.R. doctor. What he witnessed personally growing up, what he witnessed as doctor and how he works to stem the tide for having the E.R. be the first doctor's appointment someone has had in awhile. At the end of some chapters, he lists information on how you can help yourself or others on a variety of issues such as contraception and asthma. He also covers his life since "The Pact" was released.

The sad part of this is that this book will be put on a shelf, filed away as those who need this information the most will be sitting in front of a computer or phone instead of reading the text inbetween the spine.

This book is three stories in one. It tells of three street kids who made a lot of mistakes growing up, but used friendship and positive peer pressure to become successful doctors. The text is easy to read and the message is encouraging to any age and all walks of life. I would recommend the book to anyone who needs a lift or just wants to read some positive material.

Recommended Ages: Gr. 6-12

Plot Summary: This non-fiction book follows three boys, Sam, George, and Rameck, who grew up in inner-city New Jersey, from about age 8 through medical school. The three boys formed a pact as high schools to become doctors, and not succumb to the dangers in their neighborhood.

Recurring Themes: drugs, gangs, peer pressure, positive peer pressure, medical field, hard work, university, medical school, friendship

Controversial Issues: drugs, gangs

Personal Thoughts: While the story told in this book is truly inspirational, I don't believe the writing is very high quality. Some parts seem cheesy and the dialogue in the book is clearly not what was said at the time. These three boys made it not just because of hard work, but because they are all intelligent and enjoyed school. While they seemed to have succeeded against the odds, I don't they give too much encouragement to those who don't like or have a hard time with school. I really enjoyed the message about positive peer pressure. I agree that without the pact, these boys may not have made it through medical school. Coming from an area where college was just an expectation, it was eye-opening to be exposed to a community where college is not even considered. I really liked that the three boys started an organization in college to bring kids from inner city neighborhoods to tour college campuses.

In 1989, when three boys were just 16, Sampson Davis, Rameck Hunt, and George Jenkins, the boys made a promise to each other to attend college, Seton Hall University, and later become doctors. George first thought about becoming a dentist at 11. When the boys was growing up they lacked the benefit of a male role model at home. Growing up was tough, but growing up in Newark, a city ranked one of the worst places in the country was even tougher. Especially for a young black man. After testing into Newark's University High School, the three decided to apply, upon George's urging. They promised to help each other through school and make sure that none of them became another statistic. They promised each other they would all become doctors, and stick it out together through the long, difficult journey to attaining that dream. The three are not only friends to this day, they are all doctors.

An inner-city inspiration! this is a great book for teens to understand the value of friendship and how birds of a feather do flock together. It encourages young people to soar like eagles. Absolutely, absolutely, love this book! This is my most recommended book to teens.

This book reads so well. It is broken down logically and very well written. It was interesting to learn about the upbringing of these amazing men.

This is an inspiring story that is not well-told. I wish another person had jumped in and helped these three young men tell the story in a more compelling way.

An account of how three friends helped each other to make it through high school, college, and medical school rather than follow their childhood friends into the criminal life. Now the three doctors work in their home community helping others to have better lives

In this work three African American doctors tell the story of how they used their brains, loyalty, and few good chances to escape their tough urban neighborhood, go to college and medical school, and become doctors. The book is targeted for an adolescent audience, although there is an adult version, called “The Pact” available. At the end of each chapter, the doctors give some advice to young people who want to achieve more than those around them expect.

Quote: “Young people need positive role models and guidance in their lives. There is no underestimating a positive figure in a child’s life.”

I picked this book up because it is the only one recommended by more than one of my ninth graders. I enjoyed the anecdotes about the childhood and teenage years of the young men, but mostly I appreciated their frank discussion of the challenges their lives presented, the choices they needed to make, and the belief of many in their neighborhood that they would never get out. I think young people would enjoy the work even more than I did, since the authors were careful to target students.

6th grade and up
perseverance
male adolscence

Havent started! =(