Assata: An Autobiography
Ratings16
Average rating4.6
15
Ratings16
Average rating4.6
On May 2, 1973, Black Panther Assata Shakur (aka JoAnne Chesimard) lay in a hospital, close to death, handcuffed to her bed, while local, state, and federal police attempted to question her about the shootout on the New Jersey Turnpike that had claimed the life of a white state trooper. Long a target of J. Edgar Hoover's campaign to defame, infiltrate, and criminalize Black nationalist organizations and their leaders, Shakur was incarcerated for four years prior to her conviction on flimsy evidence in 1977 as an accomplice to murder.
This intensely personal and political autobiography belies the fearsome image of JoAnne Chesimard long projected by the media and the state. With wit and candor, Assata Shakur recounts the experiences that led her to a life of activism and portrays the strengths, weaknesses, and eventual demise of Black and White revolutionary groups at the hand of government officials. The result is a signal contribution to the literature about growing up Black in America that has already taken its place alongside The Autobiography of Malcolm X and the works of Maya Angelou.
Two years after her conviction, Assata Shakur escaped from prison. She was given political asylum by Cuba, where she now resides.
Reviews with the most likes.
As everyone here has said, this is a really great biography. My favourite part of the book is when her four year old daughter comes to visit her in prison, and tells her mother she hates him. It also taught me a lot about the big bad old United States (e.g. the 13th amendment). I think she gives balanced viewpoints on political issues, never demonising the enemy more than strictly necessary. I would, however, have wanted to know what happened between her going underground and getting arrested, as well as how she escaped to Cuba. Overall a great book
This is not the kind of book you can read in one sit. It's very intense, it makes you sad, it makes you mad, it makes you want to scream, it makes you want to cry. For many times while listening it I had to pause to breath, there were times I was walking with my dog and I would just freeze in the middle of the sidewalk and stare blank at nowhere because I was overwhelming with emotions.
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