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maxain_kelsier's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 se pone un poco pesado sobre el final sobre sus juicios hacia su persona pero esta interesante ver la vida de un revolucionario en una comunidad negra en estados unidos, que loco que hasta el dia de hoy muchas cosas siguen igual
averyjpub's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
3.75
This book in an autobiographical look into the life of Huey P Newton and the formation of the Black Panther Party. It was inspiring to see the the formation of the Black radical ideas that shaped the nation in ways this nation tries to ignore to this day. It was a step by step guide on how we too, can bring about revolutionary change that centers and moves the people. I think the most important part of this book for me was the disappointment I experienced reading some parts that felt entirely irrelevant and other parts that reminded me that even with the right ideology HPN was first and foremost a human being as fallible as the rest of us. Movements tend to lionize leaders and HPN laid his life out in such a way that he showed he wasn’t above making mistakes and that he still had so many areas in which to grow his praxis such as around women and gay rights/inclusion/politics. I appreciate beyond words the gift of organizing Huey left in these pages and I’m ready to help continue to move some mountains. A must read for all organizers.
in_dee_d's review
4.0
I usually don't write long reviews, but I have A LOT to say about this one.
First and foremost, I really enjoyed reading this novel. Huey has a very strong narrative voice; his direct and straight-forward personality made reading simple. I enjoyed learning about his childhood (as a NW Louisiana native myself), and I appreciate his honesty in revealing both the highs and lows of growing up as a Black man in America.
Huey was a hustler by nature and was determined not to fall prey to a society that starved his community of resources. He resorted to criminal activity in order to survive, but I can't help but wonder about the people he must have hurt along the way. He casually mentions robbing people and pimping women without fully taking responsibility for these actions, and he still asserts that he was falsely convicted for stabbing Odell Lee, even though he admits to doing so.
Before reading this novel, I knew that Huey P. Newton was a controversial figure, but I never knew much about the man himself. I found the section where he explained how he taught himself how to read fascinating, especially since it opened up a love of learning in him that I was able to identify with. I also found the section where he discussed polyamory really interesting, albeit short. The majority of this novel, however, was focused on explaining how he and Bobby Seale created the Black Panthers, and the struggles they experienced up unto the time this book was published in 1973.
Hearing about the trials that the Black Panthers faced during the 60s and 70s was absolutely harrowing. The Black Panthers' vision was a just one, but they encountered to much opposition and infighting and police brutality along the way to ever see their vision come to light. At the end of the day, they wanted Black people to feel safe in their own neighborhoods and not have to work themselves to death in order to feed their families. Unfortunately, not everyone shared this vision, particularly Eldridge Cleaver. I had no idea that he had already been convicted and served time for rape BEFORE he became a part of the BPP. Why in the world Huey believed it would be a good idea to recruit this man for the cause I will never know. Black women in the BPP weren't given much power in the first place, and hiring an admitted rapist would seem like a slap in the face if I were dedicating my time and effort to advancing the BPP's cause.
Huey was by no means perfect, and to his credit, he never fell victim to delusions of grandeur. I think it's important not to lionize the leaders of movements, and I think he would agree with me. He consistently stated the importance of the movement being about the people uniting, and I believe he resented being made a celebrity. I highly recommend reading this book and learning about this man and his vision. I will be reading more books about the BPP to get a better idea of this group.
First and foremost, I really enjoyed reading this novel. Huey has a very strong narrative voice; his direct and straight-forward personality made reading simple. I enjoyed learning about his childhood (as a NW Louisiana native myself), and I appreciate his honesty in revealing both the highs and lows of growing up as a Black man in America.
Huey was a hustler by nature and was determined not to fall prey to a society that starved his community of resources. He resorted to criminal activity in order to survive, but I can't help but wonder about the people he must have hurt along the way. He casually mentions robbing people and pimping women without fully taking responsibility for these actions, and he still asserts that he was falsely convicted for stabbing Odell Lee, even though he admits to doing so.
Before reading this novel, I knew that Huey P. Newton was a controversial figure, but I never knew much about the man himself. I found the section where he explained how he taught himself how to read fascinating, especially since it opened up a love of learning in him that I was able to identify with. I also found the section where he discussed polyamory really interesting, albeit short. The majority of this novel, however, was focused on explaining how he and Bobby Seale created the Black Panthers, and the struggles they experienced up unto the time this book was published in 1973.
Hearing about the trials that the Black Panthers faced during the 60s and 70s was absolutely harrowing. The Black Panthers' vision was a just one, but they encountered to much opposition and infighting and police brutality along the way to ever see their vision come to light. At the end of the day, they wanted Black people to feel safe in their own neighborhoods and not have to work themselves to death in order to feed their families. Unfortunately, not everyone shared this vision, particularly Eldridge Cleaver. I had no idea that he had already been convicted and served time for rape BEFORE he became a part of the BPP. Why in the world Huey believed it would be a good idea to recruit this man for the cause I will never know. Black women in the BPP weren't given much power in the first place, and hiring an admitted rapist would seem like a slap in the face if I were dedicating my time and effort to advancing the BPP's cause.
Huey was by no means perfect, and to his credit, he never fell victim to delusions of grandeur. I think it's important not to lionize the leaders of movements, and I think he would agree with me. He consistently stated the importance of the movement being about the people uniting, and I believe he resented being made a celebrity. I highly recommend reading this book and learning about this man and his vision. I will be reading more books about the BPP to get a better idea of this group.
rugbykake's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
tense
slow-paced
5.0
lukegraham's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
tense
fast-paced
5.0
jesslenc's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
5.0
speaktospeakthrough's review
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
5.0
I would consider Revolutionary Suicide a book that holds almost infinite purposes.
Far beyond an autobiography. This is a manifesto. A philosophical work. A sociological and psychological study. A love letter to the people.
Gems start flooding in right from the very beginning with the lovely introduction given by Fredrika Newton, Huey’s wife. This has to be one of the most captivating introductions I’ve read in some time. Fredrika did a wonderful job at honoring Huey’s story in a very forthright and honest way.
Learning about Huey’s childhood, his family, and friendship. Learning about his time in the education system, and the prison system. Learning how each facet of his life interconnected into a woven basket of straws that contained all the ingredients to make Huey the revolutionary that he was, was truly inspiring.
I love that Huey highlights community and the importance of it being at center countless times throughout the book. It gives the reader and witnesses needed perspective about the way that we interact with prominent activists/celebrities/leaders/etc. Mass change requires a want for said change from the masses. Achieving it requires the work of the collective. Therefore glorification never belongs to one individual.
This is a huge part of what attracted me to learning about The Black Panther Party as well as the members within it was their ability to be among the people, to relate to them, educate them, and fight for them all at once. This is the necessary work.
Far beyond an autobiography. This is a manifesto. A philosophical work. A sociological and psychological study. A love letter to the people.
Gems start flooding in right from the very beginning with the lovely introduction given by Fredrika Newton, Huey’s wife. This has to be one of the most captivating introductions I’ve read in some time. Fredrika did a wonderful job at honoring Huey’s story in a very forthright and honest way.
Learning about Huey’s childhood, his family, and friendship. Learning about his time in the education system, and the prison system. Learning how each facet of his life interconnected into a woven basket of straws that contained all the ingredients to make Huey the revolutionary that he was, was truly inspiring.
I love that Huey highlights community and the importance of it being at center countless times throughout the book. It gives the reader and witnesses needed perspective about the way that we interact with prominent activists/celebrities/leaders/etc. Mass change requires a want for said change from the masses. Achieving it requires the work of the collective. Therefore glorification never belongs to one individual.
This is a huge part of what attracted me to learning about The Black Panther Party as well as the members within it was their ability to be among the people, to relate to them, educate them, and fight for them all at once. This is the necessary work.
daviskay98's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
4.5
A beautiful book outlining the thinking of Huey P Newton. I knew so little about the Black Panther Party that my eyes truly opened when I was reading this book and relating to what he was saying. This book is an amazing starter for other books of leftist ideology because he mentions the books and authors that have helped to radicalize him. Amazing book and all power to the people.