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hisabelbide's review against another edition
4.0
Shouts strong for its age, a 1920s confession of the realities of underclass life history would wish we forgot. Black's You Can't Win motto is not one of cynical defeat but absurd victory, an understanding that you just gotta live, despite what the system fates for one.
ezreaadingo's review against another edition
5.0
I couldn’t put this book down! It’s been sitting on my shelf for years and I finally got around to reading it.
This is the autobiography of a guy who some would label a criminal and a ‘hobo.’ He, indeed, might have been those, but he was so much more. More importantly, Jack Black’s story exposes issues that still exist today. Despite his life taking place in the late 19th and early 20th century, there are so many themes that are prevalent in todays society.
This is a must read for anyone who is an aspiring abolitionist. There is a strong argument to be made that jails, prisons and corporal punishment so nothing to rehabilitate people. In fact, I would argue that that has already been proven. This book just shows how far back it all goes.
A great read!
This is the autobiography of a guy who some would label a criminal and a ‘hobo.’ He, indeed, might have been those, but he was so much more. More importantly, Jack Black’s story exposes issues that still exist today. Despite his life taking place in the late 19th and early 20th century, there are so many themes that are prevalent in todays society.
This is a must read for anyone who is an aspiring abolitionist. There is a strong argument to be made that jails, prisons and corporal punishment so nothing to rehabilitate people. In fact, I would argue that that has already been proven. This book just shows how far back it all goes.
A great read!
tstuppy's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this book. It reminded me of Bukowski, and the tale of Black's life of crime was compelling. It read quick and I felt a connection to the unsavory narrator. Great read!
mr_dobalina's review against another edition
5.0
Ghostwritten by the same lady that did the Little House on the Prairie books. Great story.
spaffrackett's review against another edition
4.0
Clear honest memoir of a world long gone but it's systemic injustices still wreak havoc.
debonairsaltydog's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
4.5