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Roberts Vs. Texaco:: A True Story Of Race And Corporate America Paperback – March 9, 1999

by Bari-Ellen Roberts (Author), Jack E White (Author)
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 23 ratings
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Texaco recruited banking executive Bari-Ellen Roberts with promises of a professional challenge and advancement. But she and 1400 other African Americans faced a persistant pattern of racial discrimination so onerous that it wound up in a lawsuit-and ultimately in the largest discrimination settlement in U.S. History. This is the true story of how a giant corporation was challenged against all odds by one brave woman who was determined to stand her ground.

Here, in Bari-Ellen Roberts' own words, is the fascinating, infuriating, and ultimately triumphant account of how she acheived an electrifying result that could change the face of corporate America, including the inside story of the notorious "Texaco Tapes," which recorded senior executives making racially-charged comments while they allegedly plotted the destruction of evidence. Here is a fresh and inspiring vantage point on what is unquestionably the major civil rights battleground of the twenty-first century: the workplace. Spellbinding and eloquent, intensely personal and dramatically riveting, this is the most persuasive yet damning account of corporate racial discrimination ever written.

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Previous page
  1. Print length
    304 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Harper Perennial
  4. Publication date
    March 9, 1999
  5. Dimensions
    5 x 0.5 x 8 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0380796392
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0380796397
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"Compelling reading. . .What a story it is." -- Fortune

"Spellbinding. . .Speaks to the American experiment and marks where we stand at the end of the twentieth century." -- Washington Post Book World

"Straightforward. . .and most importantly, bravely personal." -- Chicago Tribune

About the Author

Bari-Ellen Roberts was a senior financial analyst at Texaco from 1990 to 1997. She she is currently the chair of the African American Committee for Corporate Responsibility. She receives many requests as a keynote speaker and serves as a diversity strategist and consultant. She lives in Connecticut.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Harper Perennial; Reprint edition (March 9, 1999)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 304 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0380796392
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0380796397
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 9.8 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5 x 0.5 x 8 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 23 ratings

About the author

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Bari-Ellen Roberts

Bari-Ellen Roberts

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Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
23 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Brad Rockwell
5.0 out of 5 stars Very compelling and personal story of what it was like to work for Texaco in the 70s
Reviewed in the United States on November 25, 2014
Verified Purchase
Very compelling and personal story of what it was like to work for Texaco in the 70s, 80s and 90s. Sometimes the good guys win and this in part is the story of that.

One interesting irony not fully brought out in the book is that the lawyer who was so involved with getting the $176 million settlement was first generation Iranian, his parents having fled the repressive Iranian regime set up at the behest of Texaco and other oil companies in 1953.
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Charles M. Wyzanski
4.0 out of 5 stars One Admirable Woman's Story; One Company's Shame
Reviewed in the United States on November 10, 2002
Verified Purchase
I regret that this story is written "with Jack E. White" and not told by Roberts herself. The value of this book is primarily as a personal memoir. As told by White, it is a rather superficial, though intimate, personal outline of Roberts' life--the difficult time she had growing up, her ill-fated marriage, her strength and ambition in the face of adversity. I came away from the book admiring Roberts for her courage and determination, and appalled at Texaco's corporate culture, its hierarchy and unforgiveable prejudice. Were it not for anti-discrimination law, Texaco's sins would have remained hidden and unrectified. Until further notice, I'll certainly be buying my gasoline anywhere else!
5 people found this helpful
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goten1972
5.0 out of 5 stars An Eye-Opening View of Overcoming Corporate Racism
Reviewed in the United States on May 9, 2002
Roberts vs. Texaco,a true story of race and corporate America, started a little slow, depicting Bari-Ellen Roberts' life since childhood. At first, I didn't know why it went into such detail, but as I read along, I understood how all of the pieces in her life connected to the storyline.
Throughout her life, Bari-Ellen was faced with overt, institutional, and implicit racism. As she entered Texaco's workforce, the racist philosophies were the worst she had ever seen. The book depicts the monumental challenges she faced in such a hostile environment. (The glass ceiling and the "good-old-boy" network.) The effects of this, along with hitting the glass ceiling/"brick wall" was enough for her and a core group of others to spark a class action lawsuit which cost the company the largest discrimination settlement in U.S. history. One hundred and seventy-six million dollars!
This book did an excellent job by not focusing solely the lawsuit aspects. Bari-Ellen put a lot of herself into writing this book. I enjoyed reading about her family issues and personal opinions as the case was pending. The outcome was emotionally touching and inspiring.
4 people found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful account of race and corporate America
Reviewed in the United States on June 26, 2002
I enjoyed this book tremendously. It was a little slow toward the end, but overall it was very well-written. It's a shame that this type of blatant racism still exists today, not that I'm surprised, but it's truly a shame. It took a lot of courage and stamina on Roberts' part to force Texaco to acknowlegde their archaeic and ignorant business practices relative to race. I applaud Bari Ellen Roberts even when there are those who still believe in Texaco's innocence...much like the reviewer who chooses to perpetuate one of America's largest problems...the belief that other races are inferior and should bow down to this almighty, superior race. "Forgive him, for he knows not what he does." I enjoyed reading about her life and what she went through that made her into what she is today. This is definitely a book worth reading for all.
2 people found this helpful
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Steph
5.0 out of 5 stars What an eye opening!
Reviewed in the United States on August 27, 2001
First of all, I would like to apoligize for Mr. Alan Wain.....he sounds very bitter. And another thing, Roberts did not get rich. Saying she was at the right place at the right time is by far the biggest BS ever, because she did not go into that position knowingly. But Texaco did hire her knowing that she would not get the promotions due her because of her race. For shame on what Texaco stood for! They had it coming to them big time. And I hope no one forgets about this case and the many horrific details that helped the plaintiffs victor!
4 people found this helpful
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Cal
4.0 out of 5 stars Texaco's racist and sexist history
Reviewed in the United States on February 1, 2015
Verified Purchase
How soon so many of us forget. Texaco execs have a history of cultural incompetence. This landmark case reminds us we need to pay attention to the fat cats we are giving our hard earned money to.
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cayema@yahoo.com
5.0 out of 5 stars Thought provoking and inspirational
Reviewed in the United States on January 2, 1999
Although Bari-Ellen Roberts took a lot of time going through her childhood and young adult years, I thought that was irrelavent at first. But curiousity got the best of me and I dove into the book to see where it would take me. By the time she got to the issues of Texaco, I appreciated the history of her growing years.
Usually, during the holiday season, I reflect on my previous year and plan for the coming year. This was truly a great book to help me in my annual ritual. Personally, I have not had to deal with racism to this degree. However, I have heard of similar situations and now I feel confident that I will be able to handle these type of devils, if I come into there paths.
My hat is off to Ms. Roberts and her colleagues for the courage of taking Texaco head on. I have already referred this book to others. Thanks for sharing your experiences!
2 people found this helpful
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G Word
5.0 out of 5 stars A must read book for any professional, any race!.
Reviewed in the United States on July 28, 1998
Professional managers of every race can learn about the power of perception on attitudes in workplace. The author dedicates the first half of the book detailing her life experiences. At first glance I became bored although some are interesting. It is not until much later in the book when the Texaco story becomes the focus does it become evident why she took so much time to talk about herself, ambitions and experiences. If one were to read only the Texaco litigation portion of the book, there would be an immediate impression that Bari-Ellen is nothing more than a complainer or maybe militant. However, the personal insight into her life reveals that Texaco played games with the wrong person at the wrong time! Bari-Ellen experiences tell the story of a woman prepared through life experiences to meet Texaco's very specific challenges. This is a story not just about race but also professionalism, courage, and persistence.
One person found this helpful
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