This Side of Glory: The Autobiography of David Hilliard and the Story of the Black Panther Party [Paperback]

David Hilliard (Author), Lewis Cole (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 2001

David Hilliard was the Chief of Staff of the Black Panther Party, and this is his compelling eyewitness account of America's first black armed revolutionary movement. Written with the participation of many other Party members, this book provides firsthand accounts of Huey Newton's infamous shootout with the police, the murder of Fred Hampton, how Panther money was raised and spent, the sexual mores of the Party, and how illegal activities erupted and were controlled. According to the FBI, the Panthers were "the greatest threat to the internal security of the country," and, in part due to government infiltrators and disinformation, the Party began to dissolve in the early seventies as police raids, gun battles, IRS investigations, trials, and prison terms decimated their ranks.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In this candid and absorbing memoir, Hilliard tells of his hardscrabble upbringing in Alabama and Oakland, Calif., his co-founding of the Black Panthers, the party's growth and struggles and, finally, his own battle against drug addiction. Writing with him, Cole ( The Dream Team ) evokes a compelling, vernacular first-person voice (even though much reconstructed dialogue is included) and uses interviews with Hilliard's friends and comrades to add depth and texture. Seeking a "calling" in his life and inspired by Malcolm X, Hilliard recalls how he joined friend Huey Newton to found the Panthers. He assesses Newton and Eldridge Cleaver, describes internal battles over ideology and strategy, gets arrested and concludes that educating the community is more important than battling the police. While the FBI wars with the Panthers, the Panthers' leaders split, and Hilliard goes to jail. Once free, Hilliard finds Oakland has lost revolutionary spirit, and he descends into crack addiction. He finally embraces the 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous--but refuses to give up his "righteous indignation" about a society that still, he believes, needs change. Photos not seen by PW.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

Hilliard's blend of autobiography and informal history sharpens our perceptions of the Black Panther Party. The cofounder and chief of staff, he writes movingly of his impoverished childhood; his ambiguous relationship with Huey Newton, Eldridge Cleaver, et al.; and his monumental struggles with drugs and alcohol. The story is brought to life here--the breakfast programs and the shootouts, the community involvement and the FBI harassment. Though somewhat vague at times (the authors, for example, rarely attach dates to even the most pivotal events), this is a worthwhile endeavor. More than anything, it represents the reflection of a mature man painfully acknowledging the great gap between what once was and what might have been. See also "Malcolm X: By Any Book Necessary" ( LJ 10/15/92) and Elaine Brown's memoirs, A Taste of Power ( LJ 12/1/92).--Ed.
- Mark R. Yerburgh, Fern Ridge Community Lib., Veneta, Ore.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 480 pages
• Publisher: Lawrence Hill Books; Unabridge Version edition (April 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 155652384X
• ISBN-13: 978-1556523847
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.5 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #859,428 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Truthful, June 30, 1999

By 

Eduardo Gabrieloff (Chicago, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: This Side of Glory: The Autobiography of David Hilliard and the Story of the Black Panther Party (Paperback)

This book is very interesting. Hilliard follows the idea of self-criticism throughout this book, leaving the reader with a very broad view of the Panthers. He seems to exclude nothing, he shows the promblems and the triumphs of this grand party. All power to the people finally came to mean something to me, instead of being some "crazy sixties thing." This should be read by all revolutionaries trying to start an organization and people questioning their government.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Informative and insightful, July 28, 2004

By 

soulonice (Arlington, TX) - See all my reviews

This review is from: This Side of Glory: The Autobiography of David Hilliard and the Story of the Black Panther Party (Hardcover)

This was extremely eye-opening for me. I loved the fact there were black people, young black people, in that time who were collectively doing what they could for us to come up at that crucial period in the late '60s. I don't think the Panthers get the respect they deserve in terms of their part in the Civil Rights era. To some, they had a nonconventional way of getting their message across, but I admired their courage and their intelligence. Hilliard examines everyone who was a crucial part of the movement, including Kathleen and Eldridge Cleaver, Lil' Bobby Hutton, Bobby Seale, Geronimo Pratt, Huey Newton, and others. He also discusses his own personal demons and how it afflicted him as well as the party. All in all, it was a very good read for me and was much needed.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An inspiring story., October 11, 2001

By 

Bakari Chavanu - See all my reviews

This review is from: This Side of Glory: The Autobiography of David Hilliard and the Story of the Black Panther Party (Paperback)

This is I think is first book I ever read by a Black Panther Party member. Most certaintly, the BPP was extremely controversial and weighted down with informants, provocateurs, and sell-outs. But Hillard wasn't one of them. He seems to give an honest account of his involvement in the Party. His story will give you great respect for a group of brothers and sisters who dared to take a stand against White supremacy, police brutality, and other forms of injustices. His is an inspiring story.