Black Gangster [Mass Market Paperback]

Donald Goines (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 1999

A large part of Goines' thirty nine years of life was spent being a successful pimp, a heif, an operator of corn liquor houses, an armed robber, and a small time dope dealer. He lived the life of the streets and out of that experience he created Prince, the anti-hero of Black Gangster! It's the story of the shocking underworld of black organised crime and the fledgling black "godfather" who goes from teenager ganglord to powerful Detroit mobster. Like the gangsters of the 1920's, he begins with boot-legging and branches out into every known crime

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Holloway House (October 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0870679929
• ISBN-13: 978-0870679926
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.1 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,318,188 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Donald Goines was a career criminal and addict who took up writing during one of his seven prison sentences. From 1969 through 1974 he published 16 novels with Holloway House, which are now recognized as blood-soaked and almost unbearably authentic portraits of the roughest aspects of the black experience.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Anything with the name Donald Goines is sure to be gold., August 2, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Black Gangster (Paperback)

I was first introduced to Donald Goines in June of 1998 by August of the same year I had already read all of his books. The only thing that angered me was the fact that no one took the time to inform me about him earlier. His Gansta tales, of pimpin', hustlin' and everyday life in the ghetto gives everyone the opportunity to experience the ghetto through his eyes. With vivid details and cliffhanger storylines he never leaves you anywhere but on the edge of your seat. Personally I fell that every Black person male and female must read his books. Not only do his tales stand stronger than most books of modern time but he is still on the nose as to daily life today. Donald Goines was definitely ahead of his time, in the game and on the typewriter. Although he has gone he has left a legacy behind. A legacy of tales that will not only be passed from his generation to my generation, but as well to the next and the next. I feel if you put any Donald Goines book in a time capsule they would have the same chilling effect that they do today and 20 years ago. That is the mark of a good author, in my opinion it is fact that Donald Goines and Iceberg Slim rate with if not above any other American authors present and past, maybe we should introduce his books to our children at school and let them have an opporunity to experience the street without ever leaving the house or the library. This is also another way to intice inner city children to read when they feel nothing in the library applies to their everyday life. The only problem that I have with any of his works are that they end, and the only beef I have is that his life was struck down in what seemed to be his prime.For all interested parties read anythin by this author and pass it on to all of your friends they will thank you later and do the same thing by passing it on to their friends. That is the only way that our Black literature will survive. Thank you Donald Goines for your life and your mind may God Bless Donald Goines and all of his works I know I'm a better person for reading his books.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Donald Goines, is one the greatest writers of all time!, May 8, 2011

By 

Z-ROY - See all my reviews

This review is from: Black Gangster (Mass Market Paperback)

This was one of the first novels,that I ever read by the late Donald Goines, and I became a serious fan ever since.I would go as far as saying that the writing in this book, is as good and even better than some of those other great gangster novels out there.(And that would include the legend's in this field of writing such as:Mario Puzo,Harry Grey and William Kennedy!)Mr.Goines, does a brilliant job of bringing to life these great characters, and the period that this book was based on.All the ingredients that are required to write a gangster novel are in these pages.What also makes this book an instant classic, is that it touches on the subjects that you can't find in any other novels, focusing on the study of American gangsterism, such as the inside details of how an African-American organized crime crew operates.The history of the powerful Chicago street gang known as: "THE BLACK P STONE NATION", can be found in these pages.This book is a fast ride, from the first page to the sad last page.Crime may pay for some folks, but it is not for black people.This book, is full of deep emotions and savage violence.A classic in the field.

6 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Oooh! It's So REAL, August 22, 2000

By 

narose "nar9311" (Dallas, TX) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Black Gangster (Mass Market Paperback)

Donald Goines' book entitled "Black Gangster" is one of my favorites in his collection. Likewise, this book tells a story about hustling, pimping, etc. You name he tells it and vividly too. This story basically tells the story of a well-known street gangster that has the black 'hood in the palm of his hand. Everyone in the hood is working for him that includes the drug dealers, pimps, prostitutes, you name it. He even have the small businesses paying him for protection. I can go on and on... CHECK IT OUT! You want be disappointed.