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quickolive32's review
3.0
The disjointed nature of this author's writing style is very off-putting. This is true throughout the book. Even as I read the last chapter, I am reminded of it. He spends almost two pages briefly summarizing important points in US History on page 328: "A year ago... Almost 26 years ago..." But then, the author hits us with a gem -- RZA used an Ensoniq EPS b/c "...it had a full keyboard rather than drum pads... it's claimed that he wrote the main melody part on 'Da Mystery of Chessboxin' after watching a documentary of Thelonious Monk on TV. When you listen to it knowing that, you can hear Monk in the intervals..." This claim, however, is unsourced.
It's really hard to read the previous two pages of sentences, each starting with the same style. Especially when the historical points have no relation to the point the author is trying to make. It’s this rambling combined with random facts that make this book such an annoying read. I put it down multiple times for a month at a time before finishing it. I love a lot of the commentary but I wish it was better edited.
Outside of that critique, there was definitely something presumptuous about the way the author told the story. It wasn't until the 34th chapter that the author made it clear his disconnect from the group and the culture. I wanted the author to explain his interest and understanding as a "tourist" (as Talib Kweli once said) to the culture earlier than in the last few chapters of the book.
I would recommend reading this book ONLY if you are not afraid of skipping chapters if you run into the authors rambling style. It’s like he wrote it expecting it to be skimmed. It feels like more of a brain dump throughout most of the book. The chapter titles don't really explain what was about to be discussed. Although, at the same time, parts of the book read like scholarly articles. As a fan of the music, I do appreciate the insights and commentary. This was almost a DNF for me but for the occasional gems sprinkled throughout that helped me finish it.
It's really hard to read the previous two pages of sentences, each starting with the same style. Especially when the historical points have no relation to the point the author is trying to make. It’s this rambling combined with random facts that make this book such an annoying read. I put it down multiple times for a month at a time before finishing it. I love a lot of the commentary but I wish it was better edited.
Outside of that critique, there was definitely something presumptuous about the way the author told the story. It wasn't until the 34th chapter that the author made it clear his disconnect from the group and the culture. I wanted the author to explain his interest and understanding as a "tourist" (as Talib Kweli once said) to the culture earlier than in the last few chapters of the book.
I would recommend reading this book ONLY if you are not afraid of skipping chapters if you run into the authors rambling style. It’s like he wrote it expecting it to be skimmed. It feels like more of a brain dump throughout most of the book. The chapter titles don't really explain what was about to be discussed. Although, at the same time, parts of the book read like scholarly articles. As a fan of the music, I do appreciate the insights and commentary. This was almost a DNF for me but for the occasional gems sprinkled throughout that helped me finish it.
erichultgren's review
4.0
This might be one of my favorite takes on Wu-Tang and one of my favorite books on hip hop I have ever read.