41 of 41 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Powerful..., August 26, 2006
As a white middle class generation x'er, I knew nothing of the Black Panthers or Huey Newton that was based on personal knowledge or experience. What I had heard was that they were radical, dangerous, and hated white folks. That seemed overly simplistic, so I decided to look into the black power movement for myself. Of all the books I read on the movement (Malcolm, Eldridge Cleaver, SNCC, Soledad Brother, etc...), Revolutionary Suicide was the best.
First off, Huey is the best writer of all the writers I read on the subject. That includes both the primary books and the secondary interpretive books written by historians. Huey's writing reflects his life philosophy, he lives for the people and therefore writes for the people. He doesn't seek to impress the reader with a fantastic grasp of the english language. He writes simply and matter-of-factly, much as a good journalist does. This to-the-point writing style more engrossing than any of the other books I read on the movement.
Second, Huey, unlike many other movement leaders, doesn't look to hog the glory for himself. He is very upfront about what he was responsible for and what he collaberated on with others. He passes the glory around liberally (some would say too much) to spread the power to the people.
Finally, this book will give you a primary understanding of who Huey P. Newton was and what he was really about. Did he hate white people? Did he advocate armed revolution? Was he a murderer and thug? Read it for yourself.
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16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A must read, October 10, 2001
If you're going to study the Black Panther Party, you of course must check out a story of its preminent leader. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. He gave me an understanding what it meant to be a radical Black activist during the 60s and 70s. It meant that you had to be courageous, committed, and five steps ahead of the cops, the FBI, and informants.
Of course, now, this is Huey's account of the Party. While his is seriously important, the works of other Panthers and scholars who are now publishing works about the Panthers must also be studied. For now that I'm reading a biography on another Panther leader, Geronimo Pratt, I'm very interested in understanding more about the political split that took place in the BPP. Why did Huey expell Pratt from the Party? Why did Eldridge Cleaver turn out to be so reactionary? I look forward to reading other books on the Panthers to answer these and other questions.
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18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
This book was powerful in every detail., September 29, 1999
By A Customer
I felt as though this book was very powerful in expressing the reality of every African-American in society that lives in an urban area. Huey Newton is a powerful writer, but his books are often not read becuase of the fact that limitations are place on him because of his staus. I feel as though his books should be read by every one in order to understand our struggle and also African-Americans as a race and The Black Panther Party as a group. I give this book infinite stars and I think this book should be read by every intellectual and every conscious mind that's open to all possiabilities of reveloution. Stay Strong everyone and always remember the struggle. Peace!!!!!
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