Customer Reviews

E.A.R.L.: The Autobiography of DMX

5 star:		(41)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Have you ever wondered about the rage, passion, and intensity of DMX, well this book will answer all your questions and more. I read this book cover to cover in one day--then I read it again! This book is full of ups and downs, slips and falls, and enough sruggle to make you look at your own life and try and find answers to the questions that have always been in the back of your mind. Read this book you will not be disappointed.

This book was one of the best books that I have ever read, and I am a very avid reader. Most autobiographies read like television documentaries and tend to leave out a lot of stuff. DMX keeps it as raw as could be. Starting out talking about how he constantly still has nightmares,Earl takes us on a journey through Yonkers where he grew up without a father and a mother who didn't care. Growing up people always referred to him as Crazy Earl and problem child, and he made it true for them. Resorting to robbing and stealing, Earl began his incarceration at the age of 10. Going from groups homes to the hole, he found lyrics to help ease all of the pain that he suffered. The only solace in his life came when he found his wife, Tashera, and then he was shown unconditional love. She stuck by his side through his drug addiction and was there for him when he got beaten up so badly his jaws were wired shut for four months. This book is a must read for young boys who think that they want to live a street life. This could also be an eye-opener for a lot of adults who don't understand rappers and "hoodlems. Most of these people don't chose this lifestyle, it chooses them and they have to live with it.

In the words of DMX,
"To live is to suffer, but to survive, well, that's to find meaning in the suffering".

This book is a story that demonstrates the complexity of the human experience. It provides an insightful and attention-grabbing look into the innerworkings of the American urban experience, highlighting the impact of poverty, unemployment, hopelessness, failure and also perseverence, vision, triumph and success.

I decided to read this book because I saw an interview with DMX that revealed an interesting person who was a loyal and devoted husband and father, a man with depth and a unique message to tell.

While I think the substance of this book is definitely of 5 star calibre, the overall delivery (particularly the language), does not reflect the highly articulate personality that I saw when DMX was interviewed. On the one hand I can understand that the "keep it real" language was used in order to engage readers that may not normally read on a regular basis, I feel like this strategy has some shortcomings. DMX's story deserves to be heard by many and I feel that some readers may be turned off by the language in the book. In the middle of the book, I was tempted to discontinue reading, having reached the point of saturation with regard to the same old four letter words, hyphenated expletives, etc. However, I continued through and was rewarded by the poetic, powerful and thought-provoking ending of the book.

So, that said, I say read this book and digest the fruits of this satisfying life story (and the accompanying lyrics). I hope that more such stories get told and if you are left feeling angry about some of the things that are done to DMX (and that he does as well) and frustrated by the shortfalls of the American experience/dream for many young Americans, suggest the book to a friend.

I hope you find this commentary useful ;).....

DMX spits fire in all his raps! This is one of the realist ni&^&'s in the industry. He could do it all. He could rap act and write. One love to DMX for life

The book E.A.R.L. is an autobiography and it takes you through the life of Earl Simmons a.k.a. DMX. It starts off when he was a kid and it describes what it was like growing up. Then it slowly progresses into him as a teenager and now an adult.

Earl Simmons a.k.a. DMX was born in Baltimore Maryland in 1970. He didnt live there very long. Shortly after coming to this world he moved to Yonkers and that is where he spent most of his life. He had 5 sisters and 2 brothers. His mom wasnt always there for him so he relied on his Grandmother when he needed help. His Grandmother was his role model in his life and the inspiration to him writing music. He started to get really into rap music in the 1990s. Since being signed to a record label he has released 5 CDs'.

This book was very entertaining to read. Leaning about someone elses past and present is very interesting to me. The issues that the book brings up are how bad some areas in the inner city actually are. It explains what really happens and the struggle that he had to go through.

I highly recommend reading this book. It was very good and easy to read. It gave you an actual visual idea of what was really going on in his life.

By: ML

Just finished the book and man is it deep. X is one of a kind. It's his soul expressed to us in a book. I went back and started watching his old videos and noticed that the book mirrored some of them (Slippin). The guy is off the chain. Brings back memories of when i first heard 'Get At Me Dog' but what makes it great is learning how long and what it took for him to get there. You gotta pickup this book.

I just grabbed this book out of curiosity. I knew of DMX and his music but no fan. Wow, was I impressed. To be completely honest, I figured it wouldn't be so good because frankly, how good of a story can a ghetto playa bring to the table?
Well, a very good one in fact. My favorite part of it was that he didn't restrain himself from sounding intimate. He would describe how he was living with nothing and then he had bought a little bouncy ball and that was the shiznit! lol I love that. He appreciated the small things. He still had a heart and needed love no matter how roughed up he was. I got mad respect for him and I feel his story was genuine. DMX did not try to make the projects seem cool or anything. I had a picture the entire time reading it. Dark, gloomy, dirty streets and bad vibes. I recommend this book. Seriously, just read it with an open mind. WOW.

I Looved this book! He details his life from dam near day one to present day and ur mouth will defintly hang open! He is honest and real as hell in this book rather your a fan or not you'll enjoy this read! Go Get This Book ASAP!!!!!! p.s.= I truly hope he gets his act together as far as crack goes! Too talented to abuse your mind and body that way D!

I was intrigued by this book after I read the first 5 pages. I never knew how much he went through until I read this book. DMX pours his heart and soul into this book and left no stone unturned. He talks about his days as a robber, an addict, and even falling hard for women. Before I read this book, I thought that what he said in his raps were mostly fiction. Now, I know that X is spitting fire from his heart. Cats who say X is the best, know he still is and thats the truth.

It's amazing how Earl Simmons aka DMX can overcome such a problemed childhood and become one of the most admired Icons. When you watch a famous person on T.V. or listen to them on the radio the first thing that you think about is how rich they are and how famous they are, but you never think about how much they've been through to get this far in life.

As a child DMX was abused by his mother and didn't have anyone to take care of his except for his grandmother, which his mother rarely allowed him to go see her. Growing up in the Projects in Yonkers didn't make it any easier for him. Life was very rough for him, but his passion for music opened a brand new life for him, which completely turned his life around.

Reading this book was one of the best things i did in my humanities class this year. I couldn't stop reading this book once i started. Reading autobiographies was always one of my favorite things to do because they can teach a person a lot about life in general. Learning from peoples mistakes can help you in life by teahing you not to committe the same mistakes they've made.

I would recommend this book to everyone who's a DMX fan and everyone who likes to read about someone else's life. In my opinion i think it's one of the best autobriographies out there. So go get it ASAP