Customer Reviews

T.H.U.G. L.I.F.E.

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

 

 

Gangsterism Continues in this gripping "partially" fictional account of Sanyika's experiences post Monster. Having read some of the inferior works which were inspired by the commercial success of "Monster" the autobiography, it was refreshing to see the talent and originality which earned Sanyika critical acclaim back on display. T.H.U.G. L.I.F.E. is no less dramatic as life in the hood provides enough drama filled moments for a hundred books.

Love, loyalty, deceit, anguish, pain, hope, disappointment and confusion are as much the focus as the assortment of crooked cops, gang rivals and assortment of characters from ETG. The main character is LaPeace an older more focused version of the infamous Monster. The reference being to the state of living the author has been forced into as he struggles to escape his notorious past. La being Swahili for No coupled with peace.

The author also deals openly with the pain of a failed marriage making little effort to conceal the identity of his ex-wife Tamu from LaPeace's unfaithful mate Tammy. He talk's about his concern for his children and his search and desire to find true love. Of course his loyalty to his hood remain a central focus and we are introduced to a new generation of homies from ETG. Crazy De, Diamond, Sidewinder, Tray-Stone, Tray-Ball, Mad Bone and Lil Spike are mentioned in passing as a reminder of the reverence and esteem in which they are held by the author. Tiny and Sista Monster, Lil, Baby, Tiny Stag, Sista Sodi, Sekou and a variety of new personas round out the cast.

One of the most interesting portions of the book is the authors explanation of the shooting of Tupac Shakur. That alone is worth the price of the title as Sanyika draws on past interviews and conversations with accused triggerman Orlando Anderson and former Death row records head Suge Knight to formulate an interesting narrative. No love is shown for Suge Knight who appears as Deathrow Records Chief Simon Knowles nor is there any love for an unidentified character known as Bingo though there is more than enough bio information provided on Bingo to identify him to those in the know. There is also a detailed explanation of his involvement with the Spear and Shield collective and his identification with the Shakur tribe.

The author proves once again he is one of the best at painting word pictures and including the reader in the events of which he writes. If you enjoyed Monster, then you'll undoubtably enjoyed T.H.U.G. L.I.F.E.

Featured characters are
LaPeace Shakur - Sanyika Shakur
Askari Shakur - Tupac Shakur
Simon Knowles-Suge Knight
Tammy Shakur - Tamu Shakur
Baby Lane - Orlando Anderson
John Sweeny - LAPD
Jesse Mendoza - LAPD
Tashima -

T.H.U.G. L.I.F.E. reads as though it was written by a middle school student with delusional, violent tendencies and a passing acquaintance with the English language. Grove Press clearly feels no responsibility to the book-buying public when it foists this puerile garbage on us. Murder, drugs, theft are presented as though they are a justifiable way of existence. Shakur may not be selling himself short with this nonsense, but he does no justice to anyone else. If you're curious, find the book in a library. Don't buy it and pad the coffers of the author or Grove Press.

I enjoyed the book, but it was too much of shooting and killing and dirty cops.. I know this stuff really happens in life but I just got tired of reading the book. It was a good read, but a lot of details that I just didnt care to know about.

Sanyika has gone above and beyond to bring us a peek into the modern day life of gangster who is tough but also slowing down with street banging. Mr. Shakur is extremely detailed in his descriptions and is a master at painting an image of exactly whats going on. Thug life is a very cool fiction book and I would reccommend this book to anybody who enjoys hip-hop, action, crime, hood life and hairy situations that can turn any which way. I am very happy I purchasd this book.

if you looking for this book to be like the book monster. it isn't, this book is nowhere near it. reading this book made me think of how L.A. is now.
the book is a good read to me. people that started off friends ended up being enemies for life. one always trying to out due the other. sets that was cool before, now enemies within the crips. a lot of music is talked about all thru the book. the one crooked cop in the book, i was so happy when someone took him out. i'm a marine myself, he pissed me off.
just don't based the book off monster or you will not like it.

I started this with great expectations. They were dashed almost immediately. Not only is Shakur a below-mediocre writer, given to Bret Easton Ellis-esque lists of goodies owned as a substitute for real characterization (yes, I know: "American Psycho" was supposed to be ironic; as if), but we're supposed to admire a gun-carrying clown responsible for the deaths of more than a few people, who hangs with buddies who are equally bloodthirsty, a clown who doesn't even have the cojones to be a real criminal but, instead, "earned" his bankroll by picking up what others dropped? The characters are wooden, the descriptions trite, the relationships barely credible. Enthusiasm for this ill-written trash is PC to the max. And one star is given only because zero stars cannot be awarded.

i bought this for a gift for my husband and he loves it. i was so shocked at how good of condition it was in.