Customer Reviews

The Ice Opinion: Who Gives a Fuck?

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I read this book after reading Iceberg Slim's last novel Doom Fox and found that Ice had written an incredible and very telling introduction.

A friend of mine recently asked me `Hey, why you are reading that?' and with a tone that inferred that there was probably nothing to be gained or redeemable from the book. I was a little shocked, but I guess that's probably how some people, not in the know, would approach a book like this ... with really low expectations. I guess that aint too bad if all you expect out of Ice T anymore is Law & Order re-runs on cable. But speaking for myself, I came with an open mind and I wasn't let down at all ... and I happen to like his character on Law & Order enough not to be "hater". I also appreciate his personal story enough to be so far away from him in some realities but only inches away in others. His story speaks to my own and as a white Gen-X'er, the book clearly resonates.

Ice wraps a lot of what he's saying in the experience of the Los Angeles Riots that occurred in 1992, his time on the streets and his strange but fortunate journey to being famous. But reading his words 13 years later, everything that plagued the city and was a major problem back then, is still up in the forefront of 'seemingly unsolvable problems' and on the front page. But time has actually expanded his message as it applies not just for Black culture, as he pointed out then, but for most cultures, as it is now.

Los Angeles comes off as the beautiful place that it is, for some, but as a jail cell for others, even while they all `equally' enjoy their so-called freedoms. Ice paints the picture of the inner city that you may have thought has vanished but is still as dark, depressed and full of struggle as it was back in the 70's. Ice T (born Tracy Marrow) started off in the military but moved on to a career in burglary and other nefarious activities that he very candidly re-tells and does so without glorifying crime or the machismo behind his decisions. If there's something he understands in all of this, it's his own ego. Another thing he understands, mostly from necessity, is the intent of others and what it means to be 'step to.'

Ice tells it like it is and this is a difficult to find book now as some of the other reviewers have pointed out. It's a worthy read and a skillfully told testament about a young man's journey through a world full of prison, police and temptation. He came out pretty clean on the other side some decades later, but statistically hundreds to thousands, didn't -- and that's some of the real power behind this telling.

On a final note, I once bumped into Ice T one late night at a Rite-Aid on Sunset Blvd & Fairfax with his girl back in the fall of 1998. He was in front of me in line and was getting a few things and believe it or not -- an ice cream cone. I said hey, and he said "what's up, man?" For me, it was a priceless memory and I'm thankful for it. It's the little things in this life that have meaning.


...

I have wanted this book for a long time and finally bought it. I like these kind of books that are from the person's own point of view. Ice T has made his fame and fortune by not compromising what he wants and taking a risk to get where he wants to be. There's a lot of colorful language and so this book isn't for just anybody, so if you like a realist point of view from someone who isn't using a writer but their own words.

T is fabulous! I had no idea the breadth of his vision. He reminds me of a modern-day Clay Aiken.

Never one to pull punches, T will pull on your funny bone until it hurts. T's insights on gardening, wine-tasting and antiquing are refreshing and suprising with someone of T's on-screen persona. But that's just it -- in this deliciously dire read, he's telling the world, "Look, I am human and vulnerable. I hurt too. I feel lonely when it rains. I prefer kittens to pit bulls. And darnit! despite prevailing public opinion, I thought "Cheers" actually got better after Shelley Long left."

Bravo T! Thanks for showing us that all former rapping and break dancing gang members are not predisposed to lives of anger and misogyny, but beauty, diet lemon-lime slice and hummingbirds.

This book really influenced the way I write. Ice-T's "I don't give a fuck" attitude encouraged me to express my true feelings on paper. The part of the book where he talks about the origin of the L.A. gangs was very interesting. Ice-T is a tough philosopher in the tradition of George Jackson, Eldridge Cleaver, Iceburg Slim, KRS-One, and TuPac Shakar. A must read for rebels looking for a cause.

From gangs, to drugs, sex, rap, religion, politics, women, racism, freedom of speech - Ice-T has an opinion just like the rest of us. Ice has an interesting and somewhat unique perspective on all these topics, and life in general. It was very enjoyable and though provoking to read. And if you don't agree with everything in the book, that's okay, how gives a ?

Sounds great, doesn't it? It would be very nice to obtain one of the 6 or 7 copies floating around in the U.S. for myself! What the heck, did somebody up there want the Ice to fail? I've seen better distribution at a tag sale!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (Of course, you wouldn't DARE print this review!)

This book has been restricted for shipment since 1994. Strange how one of the loudest advocates of freedom of speech had his own book become so hard to find shortly after the release of Cop Killer, and the censorship struggles ensuing shortly therafter... Fans may never know for sure what happened, but this book is finally available to the public three years later at it's original price! Contact Amazon.com regarding shipment or reach us direct at: ricothecat@aol.com This book is a must read, and as a fan, it's a pleasure to bring this book back into distribution!

Ice T.always comes on point on Social Issues.He doesn't second guess himself.he comes straight out with the way he sees the World&The World at Large around him.His Honesty&Directness are to the point.He is a Very Deep Thinker who wants a Better World.you have to Wonder Why a Segement of Society has to Go through so Much Negativeness?very Enlightening Book.