Assata: An Autobiography (Lawrence Hill & Co.) [Paperback]

Assata Shakur (Author), Angela Davis (Foreword)

Book Description

Series: Lawrence Hill & Co. | Publication Date: November 1, 2001

This presents the life story of African American revolutionary Shakur, previously known as JoAnne Chesimard.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

This black activist's memoir is like a freeze frame of the late 1960s and early 1970s. Though the polemical rhetoric is dated, the book is an otherwise compelling tale of the impact of white racism on a sensitive and powerful young black woman. Born Joanne Chesimard, she took an African name to confirm her commitment to black liberation, joined militant organizations, and was ultimately convicted of the murder of a New Jersey highway patrol officer in 1977. Her descriptions of life in prison and the vagaries of the court system are especially wrenching. Living now in Cuba as an escaped felon, she continues her utopian plea for revolution. Recommended for large libraries and specialists. Anthony O. Edmonds, Ball State Univ., Muncie, Ind.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Lawrence Hill Books (November 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1556520743
• ISBN-13: 978-1556520747
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (64 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #29,325 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #70 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > Specific Groups > Criminals
  • #94 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > Ethnic & National > African-American & Black

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A real page-turner!, July 30, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Assata: An Autobiography (Lawrence Hill & Co.) (Paperback)

Assata, is an autobiography that travels at a fast pace and it's hard to put down because you will truly anticipate the conclusion.

The book Assata gives great insight into the role that women played in the Black Panther Party and contrary to popular belief the women did not take the back seat.

The book is a journey through Assata's life. As a child she lived with her mother in New York and came down South (Wilmington, North Carolina to be exact) to visit her grandparents in the summer.

In Wilmington--home of the "Wilmington 10" and an 1898 coup d'etat(if you don't know about these events please ask somebody)--she got a first hand view of segregation. It is my opinion that her experiences as a child down South made her aware of the struggle of Black people.

She went through various rebellious phases as a young adult and eventually found her way to the Black Panther Party. From this point forward you begin to see through the eyes of a comrade in th! is movement.

The book deals with her expereinces with COINTELPRO (the U.S. counterintelligence program created to destablize certain civil rights organizations, particularly the BPP) to an incident on a New Jersey turnpike that leaves two highway patrolmen dead.

Although she was sentenced to life in prison, she now resides in Cuba. To find out how she wound up there, I guess you will have to read the book.

Among other reasons, this book continues to be timely and relevant because Assata continues to be a war cry for supporters of tightened sanctions against "Castro's Cuba".

17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Courageous Assata, September 28, 2000

By 

Tierra Mauhammad (chicago illinois) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Assata: An Autobiography (Lawrence Hill & Co.) (Paperback)

The book is truly amazing. After reading it you should feel very enlightened (if not already) about the truths of the United States. Assata Shakur went through alot of things as to so many other black leader just for us. I'm a young black girl and I love Assata honestly with my whole heart. The book is tuly excellent I never wanted to put it down. I encourage everyone of every race to read it and to be open minded to the fact that its real. Just read it in the fact that if you have ever been in pain, Assata understands.

17 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Truth, March 29, 2001

By 

Adia L Sanders (Tulsa, OK USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Assata: An Autobiography (Lawrence Hill & Co.) (Paperback)

I felt compelled to write this letter, because this book is how black people in amerika really struggled back in the the late 60's early 70's. As a black young female, I feel our youth today has no idea half of the drama that our ancestors went through. We need to take the time with our children and read the stories of yester year. It may seem harsh at first, but then when they realize the struggles from the past they will appreciate where they are now. I am so glad I read this book. If it wasn't for the brother Common, showing me the light, I don't think I would have ever heard of Assata Shakur. That's what we need, more youth sharing our history; good and bad. We need to look at our for ourselves. Don't be like me at 24 and just now starting to get into my true roots. But better late than never. Peace and blessing.#