Customer Reviews

Belly of the Beast

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Christian Alexander is a crack dealer headed to the Belly of the Beast. A young dude in the streets, he is naive about life and even less knowledgeable about what it truly means to be a man as his uncle, and only male mentor, was killed in the street, while his father, a prisoner, is consumed with serving his own sentence. Christian is confident that once his time is served he'll return to the free world with a valuable crack connect to step his game up to a higher level. Christian doesn't realize that his life will forever be changed inside of FCI in Big Springs, Texas.

BELLY OF THE BEAST written by Caleb Alexander is riveting from start to finish. I love how he is able to bring prison to the readers. From the politics, riots, democracy and hate, he shows you that knowledge, brotherhood and love can be found amongst ALL black men, regardless of nationality or creed, as they struggle to survive together.

This is an emotional journey that needs to be shared. After reading EASTSIDE I've been waiting to see what else Caleb would deliver, under his own name, and trust me when I say, I'm glad to add a MUST READ tag to such a valuable resource.

"God works through people."
Reviewed by: Crystal

Reading Advisory: Please be warned that if you are looking for the typical street/urban lit read, this is NOT the book for you. If you are looking for the recipe of add drug dealer, girl with big booty, shake and stir, again, this is NOT the book for you. Instead, this book starts where all those books stop. It deals with the harsh reality of the consequences of the street lifestyle. Where the C.O., the warden, or a sharp piece of metal doesn't care who you were on the streets. Where death is always right around the corner doesn't care how much money you stacked. Where you are identified by a reg number, your race or your religious affiliation. Where Gucci and Prada are replaced with prison issued uniforms. Where steak and lobster are replaced with the unidentifiable. Where fiction ends and reality begins. Welcome to the BELLY OF THE BEAST!

After his uncle, the last male figure in his life, is murdered, Christian Alexander takes to the streets. Killing, wheeling and dealing, he quickly becomes just a statistic - another incarcerated black man. "Belly of the Beast" chronicles his journey as an inmate, and more importantly, as a man.

Caleb Alexander's gift of writing is on full display with Golden Ink Publishing's debut, "Belly of the Beast." He tells a compelling story of survival, growth and redemption. It is refreshing, powerful and thought-provoking. Alexander crafts a tale that is as moving as it is entertaining and insightful.

Caleb Alexander has built a large base of unknowing fans as the ghostwriter behind some of street lit's biggest books. I am happy to see him writing for himself and hope that success carries over, as it should.

Be sure to also check out Eastside (Strebor on the Streetz), another powerful book by this gifted brother.

I really enjoyed Belly of the Beast from beginning to end. The character took me on a emotional roller coaster. I was immediately drawn to the character because he was relate-able and authentic. Throughout the story the constant pitfalls and challenges made me angry, frustrated, yet at the same time cheer for a better life for the character. In terms of the writing Caleb Alexander is a master with the pen. The characters are very well developed to the point where they jump off the page. If you're looking for a fast paced, emotional roller coaster, page turner Belly of the beast is sure to please.

Minolta White
AAMBC Reviewer

Caleb Alexander penned a great novel, he told this story with grace and truths. Caleb educates you on the politics of the BOP( Bureau of Prisons), religion and gives you deal on atonement and the awful truth about the BLACK family. For Caleb to able to put all these truths in novel form with characters is awesome.

Christian Alexander is a average dude reared in San Antonio, Tx by his grandmother. He's not illiterate was taught values and morals like most of our youth are taught , but had the desire to tamper with the streets. Low and behold one day the Belly of the Beast catches up with him, the BOP. There he learned the real game of chess , who the real players are and how to maneuver against them. BOTB gives real insight about prison dos and dont's. Christian got the education that Harvard or Yale could never give him. It was unfortuante for him going to prison at a early age but rewarding at the same, he became a MAN .BOTB is really for the open minded ,the message he is trying to convey is truly deep nothing is sugar coated. Trust me you will have no regrets with BOTB if your goal is to learn something and not be entertain. The power truly lies within each and everyone of us if you have faith.

Welcome to the belly of the beast, otherwise known as the federal prison system. When Christian a.k.a. "C" and best friend Enrique a.k.a. Henry get locked up together, they soon realize that it is survival of the fittest...where races are divided and racist prison guards work.

This is Christian's emotional journey through the belly of the beast. This is where friends become enemies, life soon results in death, color lines are drawn, and gangs, rapes and riots are commonplace. Christian goes on to found an organization called Umkhonto, one that will protect the brothers or the blacks and try to run interference with other groups within the prison with the hopes of keeping the violence down. With Umkhonto, it was Christian's hope that they take the unity and do whatever it is they can to help another brother out when they got out into the free world.

Belly of the Beast by Caleb Alexander is unlike any urban-lit novel you will ever read. This book is told from an inmate's point of view on life inside the federal prison system. It is a heart-wrenching novel that will make you cringe. It is a journey told from a young brother that through his life experiences being locked up like an animal, becomes a man behind bars. Mr. Alexander did a fantastic job with this novel, and I absolutely loved the knowledge he dropped. Belly of the Beast was not only educational, but enlightening.

Reviewed by Leona for Urban Reviews

Experience the life of an inmate through Christian Alexander's awakening stay in the prison system, where the rawest, deadliest of emotions are all on lock and ready to erupt at the hint of a tremor.
With the violence, racism, and back stabbing banging on Christian's cell bars everyday, it's a struggle living in the "Belly". Even the glimmer of hope from outside emotional ties, are tarnished as changes take place and Christian's hands are tied.
Survival tactics kick in and Christian has made up his mind to serve his time and be reunited with his family alive, and with a sound mind...but at what cost?

Hold on tight...you're in for one hell of a ride inside the Belly of the Beast! No imagination necessary as author Caleb Alexander pens a realistic journey that spills directly off the pages in the purest form!
Meet the prominent cast of characters and experience the violent and emotional hostility that resides in the BELLY OF THE BEAST!

This gritty read is not to be missed!

Locksie
ARC Book Club Inc.

After the all the glitter and glory...mayhem and murder of the streets can you finally let your guard down and do your time comfortably? When best friends Christian(C) and Enrique (Henry) enter the Federal Penitentiary system...do they hold each down or do they become enemies?..Neither knows until they enter the 'Belly of the Beast'... Only Caleb Alexander can pen a vividly descriptive picture on what really goes on once that heavy steel door slams to 'the Beast'.
There are teachings on everything from becoming a believer to survival for teen boys,young men and old men in this action filled,emotion draining novel...You say you are a man..but are you really?


3.75*s.

Belly Of The Beast takes you on a violent,and emotional trip through the american prison system.A place where friends become enemies, and enemies unite together for survival in a system thats designed for their destruction.I really enjoyed this book it was actually what the doctor ordered in terms of originality,it was just the break I needed from the drug dealer/street lit genre.Caleb is a talented storyteller.

The novel, Belly of the Beast by Caleb Alexander is a very insipiring and influencial book for all men and women that gives informative insight on prison life - absolutely stunning! The novel will give all readers strong insight to help change your life and/or prevent mistakes by making right choices at all times during your life!

Belly of the Beast involves one character, San Antone struggle from being a boy to becoming a man while trapped in prison. San Antone made some bad mistakes as a teenager that costs him a long bid inside a prison that changes his life daily as he struggles to fight for his life. Poverty, abuse, and power became a daily struggle for San Antone that prusuaded him to change his mind and take control of the slavery that continued to take place daily within the prison wall by inmates and faculty. He not only inspired himself but other inmates as well to become stronger men with a sense of pride. Will San Antone be able to make the right decisions to survive his bid in prison? Is this the life that San Antone was destine to live in due to the choices he made growing up? Only the readers will truly understand San Antone's actions as they read this stunning novel.

I would like to give thanks to the author, Caleb Alexander for writing such a novel to give this informative insight regarding life in prison - Kudos! This novel did not only teach me a few things but also gave me knowledge to make better decisions than before to prevent from every being placed in a prediciment involving prison. This novel is well written and does not contain any grammatical or spelling errors which another cool point in my book. I recommend this novel to all readers - men and women interested in discovering life inside prison.

OOSA Bookclub

Okay, where to start? This book is mad crazy! Dude goes into the Belly of the Beast, and has to survive in the worst of the worst. Mistakes are made, the brothers organize, and things get really wild. This book is about surviving in a system where everything is stacked against them. This book gives up the real deal, no sugar coating it. From the riots, to the guards, to the petty B.S., to the drama that goes on inside and out. This book ain't your typical 'hood book', or 'street lit' joint. This book takes you on a real journey through the system, and you learn as you read. It's edutainment on the real. It's violent, and it ain't for everybody. If you looking for something real, and exciting, then this is for you. If you looking for the same old 'dope dealer' hood story, then this ain't for you. On the real, this cat can write.