Customer Reviews

Black Gangster

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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.

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 novel, 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.

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.

I've had this book for so many years, and still can't get through it. I guess it just isn't my cup of tea, I'm not interested in hustlin' corn whiskey; however, WHORESON is fool-style...Just finished reading it and am very pleased that I bought this book...It's in my top 5...Dopefiend is good as well, but Black Girl Lost is better, yet not better than Whoreson...

What I particularly liked about this book is that Goines exposes the manipulative tactics of post-Dr. King "Civil Rights" leaders in his character of Prince. Followers of people like Marion Barry would do well to read Goines' description of Prince's plan to manipulate the emotions of the masses in the ghetto for his own selfish gain.

One of the best authors that I have had the pleasure of reading about along with his novels. Great book!!!

Goines scores an interesting tale of a criminal mastermind in the Midwest who builds an empire through business saavy and absolute power. The settings are vivid through his descriptive and detailed style, and the characters are gritty, realistic people with no options and trying to make a buck and remove themselves from harm's way.

The backdrop is mostly Detroit (with a bit of Chicago), so as a native Detroiter I found that very accurate and interesting. The protagonist is a classic anti-hero along the lines of a Tony Soprano...love him one minute, despise him the next. I think fans of the Mafia genre would find this a compelling read.

This guy seemed to be ahead of his time. This was the first book I've read from Goines, but it won't be the last. He had a way of making the story so vivid, so real; he had a way of just bringing it to life and putting you right in the middle of the action. His characters in this story(the main ones) all had their own traits, and Prince and Ruby surely were the mad couple if there ever was one. The thing most impressive about it to me was he tied in actual events along with his story. The riots in Detroit, along with Black nationalist issues were key then, and he tied all of it in with what he was bringing to the table.

this book is great. it tells the story of prince, an inner city youth forced to rise from common street crimanal to commander and cheif in one of the most ruthless crime organizations in 1970s detroit. filled with truley detailed and discriptive writing about street life. this book portrays the risks it sometimes takes to gain respect and importance. a must read for any fan of crime novels, black or white. goines has struck gold again.

This book by Donald Goines is an absolute classic. I have this book and I am scared to give it away. I read this book at least twice a year. For anybody that likes the Gangster Gangster stories this book is a must get. I guarantee that when you read this book you will find it very deep! I have One question? whatever happened to the movie? I have the soundtrack!!!!