What's Going On (Paperback)

~ (Author) "While riding through a wooded park in Arlington, Virginia-where the bike trails are longer and more scenic than those in my neighborhood-I came across a..." (more)
Key Phrases: negative rap, black homeowners, gangsta rappers, Old Town, Mount Vernon, Itchy Booty (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Former Washington Post reporter Nathan McCall won critical acclaim for his autobiographical Makes Me Wanna Holler, the story of his troubled youth, his criminal career as a young man, his three-year prison sentence for armed robbery, and his struggles to put his life together after his release. In this collection of essays, McCall addresses social issues and problems, filtering his comments through the lens of his own experience. Thus his commentary in "Gangstas, Guns, and Shoot 'Em Ups," recalls his youthful infatuation with The Godfather, and criticizes the dead-end fantasies of gangster rap. In "Men: We Just Don't Get It," he recalls the times he sexually assaulted women and looks at his own daughter with love and fear. He hopes she'll find someone who loves her, but is afraid she'll meet men who don't treat women with love and respect. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

McCall, who has been to prison, journalism school, the Washington Post, and the best sellers lists (Makes Me Wanna Holler, LJ 1/94), is back with essays ranging from the dangers of rap to the politics of gun control.
Copyright 1997 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: 192 pages
• Publisher: Vintage (December 29, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0375701508
• ISBN-13: 978-0375701504
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #403,981 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A+ from a white guy, February 4, 2002

By	A. Laird - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Makes Me Wanna Holler shocked me a couple of years ago. I still feel haunted by it, but the shock is over and now I can enjoy McCall's writing without feeling sick. He is a great writer, he is angry, and he "tells it how he sees it." Although, I have a feeling that McCall would be angry even in a perfect world; but I still think every white person should read his books. I have learned a lot about my African American friends and neighbors from his writing. Unfortunately, after reading What's Going On I realized that it is only African American's who can pull themselves out of this mess. I think I would be accused of being a racist no matter what I would try and do. Hopefully some good African American leaders will emerge as soon as Mr. Jackson and Mr. Sharpton give up their thrones. I am convinced that many white folks really do want things to to get better for African Americans. We just don't know what to do!

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Inciteful & True, February 12, 1999

By A Customer

I absolutely loved this book. I could not put it down. Nathan McCall's views were well-thought out, and much to my surprise showed no signs of hypocrisy, instead, his views were the end result of learning through experience. I was able to connect with McCall's real life experiences as a young African-American & Washingtonian. The fact that he has roots in DC made me able to connect on a more personal level with his experiences, (i.e., his references to Georgetown, and parts of middle class Maryland and Virginia) I was always taught by my parents about the true histories and traditions of this city and the elimination of upscale African-American neighborhoods from a history we made. However, McCall idealizes the underlying concepts that apply to the African American culture anywhere in this country. Even if the DC element is extracted, his words apply to any location. I found that the book kept on a continuum rather than skipping over issues and losing its tone, every chapter making equal offerings to the book as a whole. It taught me a great deal about the ways of political change, and I also took from it a sense of responsiblity, that it took McCall the majority of his adolescence to gain. It's one thing to protest something (i.e., McCall's reference to "gangsta rap") but it's a totally different thing to back it up with logic. Even if readers disagree with some of the details of McCall's thinking, his outlook plays on the mind and welcomes another outlook, backed by occurances and explanations given. I felt that McCall explored every aspect of his role as a African American delinquent youth turned respected father and professional, and that alone deserves respect in this autobiographical piece. I suggest that both black men and women read this book, I promise you will gain something of great personal value from it. Knowledge which brings power. I highly recommend this book.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another Masterpiece!!!, August 23, 2002

By	D. Hawkins (Denver, CO United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Nathan McCall is now 2 for 2. After the classic "Makes me Wanna Holler," he gives us this insightful read. Some might think he harps on racial issues too much, but even in 2002, these issues are still relevant to so many. His chapter on gangster rap is right on the money, and I would even add, as an educator, that rap music has become a bad influence on all races (suburban whites buy more hardcore rap than anyone else). His chapter on Muhammad Ali is one of the most poignant pieces I have ever read, and left me in tears. So often while reading this, you find yourself nodding your head, agreeing with what he's saying. We're lucky to have his perceptive books, and I like many am wondering when his next one is coming (it's been 5 years!). Hopefully soon Mr. McCall.