Customer Reviews

Revolutionary Suicide: (Penguin Classics Deluxe Edition)

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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!!!!!

This book is a great read, it is powerful, every chapter starts with a relevant quote, usually by a Socialist leader. It is filled with the incidents of huey's life and his beliefs. It is clearly written and shows the strong convictions of the man in affirming personal freedom and justice, and his belief that it can be done. Through all the trials and tribulations he went through, and through the rhetoric that went back and forth between the panthers and government, Huey manages to steer away from cliches, (though he interestingly describes the way they came up with the word "pig" for cops.) I was fortunate enough to pick this book up in middle school after hearing about huey newton on a rap album, and being curious. I don't understand why it is so hard to find. I have found Eldridge Cleaver's Soul on Ice recently, and find it amazingly honest in a way that huey doesn't get, with his personal life and weaknesses. And Bobby Seale, the other founder, has written some books as well. Its unproductive to talk about which is better. This one is great.

Dr. Huey P. Newton the man that today's youth does not know about tells how he first met Co-founder of the Black Panther Perty and this book is the closest thing to an autobiography you will find. All I can say is the greatist man that ever lived gives the American people a sense on Awareness that has not been given since Malcolm X. Made me wanna get up and shout"All Power To The People"

This book is one of the first and only unaltered accounts of the Black Panther Party by somebody who was in it. The book is in Huey's compassionate voice. This book dispells rumors about the BPP Huey set the record straight. This is my favorite book of all time its a book for the ages.

Many see the Black Panthers as a racist organization. However, I think, Newton in this book and in other writings justify's the organization's existance. It is also clear that the Black Panther Party was a socialist organization, with a sort of black nationalist element. The book is very hard to put down. I especially enjoyed the chapters in which he described his early years through college. Newton is a true revolutionary as another reviewer stated. His book is well worth the price.

What can I say, that hasn't already been said? Huey P. Newton was a very complex individual, and I find myself reading a section over a second time to digest what was written. It's worth it no doubt. When you start to read this book, you will not be disappointed, Newton sheds light on even personal matters like falling in love, and views on family. This is great if you want specifics on Mr. Newton himself, and not just the BPP as a whole.

If you want to attempt to get into the mind of Huey Newton, then read this book. Reading his autobiography gave me a view of the Party I have never felt. This gave me an understanding of how and why the organization was started and also some insight on the life of Huey. You will defintely have a different view of the Party once you have read this. So read, read, read, and keep reading, and educate yourself about this incredible man and organization.

There is Reactionary Suicide, which is giving up under the powerlessness and prejudice and just going along with the powerful and watching their deadly media, listening to their deadly music, doing their deadly drugs, like they want, to their increasing profit, and dying quickly or slowly by your own volition (which they have imposed upon you, brainwashed), or Revolutionary suicide, which is standing against the machine, for the people, despite the fact the machine will crush you quickly, for risking to live free.

For standing against the machine is suicide, but revolutionary suicide.

Just do it, and liberate our people.

At last.

Free at last.
Thank God almighty
Be free at last.

Before this machine soon crashes entirely upon itself, already falling around us. Free the people to prepare for this liberation through decay, or watch us all get crushed inside the machine. Commit revolutionary suicide by getting free, and get the people free. It is the only way.

slight diversion:
Remember that old Jimi Hendrix hit tune, the symphonic 1983...(A Merman I Should Turn To Be). That envisaged avoiding the death and destruction of the ultimate take over of the machine (indicated by the orwellian reference to 1984 which has since come upon us) by going underwaters, and free, and happy. "Well it's too bad, that our friends, can't be here with us today."

Get our friends all free. Be revolutionary suicidal, and dare to confront the machine. This is our manual, and our courage and our model.

and it has the greatest cover of any paperback ever, by the great Ho Che Anderson. Strong. I thought the entire book would be by him, but just the cover. The rest is deep, and real, serious as a heart attack. Read it.

Learn to live. Free. Not enslaved, without even knowing it.

Also by Ho Che:
King: A Comics Biography, Special Edition