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Pimp

The Story of My Life

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Pimp

Written by: Iceberg Slim
Narrated by: Cary Hite
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About this listen

A blueprint. A bible. What Sun Tzu’s Art of War was to ancient China, Pimp is to the streets. As real as you can get without jumping in, this is the story of Iceberg Slim’s life as he saw, felt, tasted, and smelled it. It is a trip through hell by the one man who lived to tell the tale—the dangers of jail, addiction, and death that are still all too familiar for today’s Black community. By telling the story of one man’s struggles and triumphs in an underground world, Pimp shows us the game doesn’t change; it just has a different swagger.

Only Slim could tell this story and make the listener feel it. If you thought Hustle & Flow was the true pimp story, this book is where it all began. This is the heyday of the pimp, the hard-won pride and glory, small though it may be; the beginnings of pimp before it was dragged in front of the camera, before pimp juice and pimp style. Though it is a tale of his times, it will remain current and true for as long as there is a race bias, as long as there is a street life, as long as there is exploitation.

©1969, 1987 Iceberg Slim (P)2011 Blackstone Publishing, and Urban Audiobooks Americas Social Sciences True Crime United States

What the critics say

“Iceberg Slim was the godfather of a genre.” (K’wan, #1 Essence best-selling author)
All stars
Most Relevant
I really appreciate the effort that went into this book. I listened to this book twice just in case.

really enjoyed this book

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The whole time listening I was wondering how would one approach adapting this book into a movie and/or mini series without watering things down… hmm?

Whoa

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love the dialog of the pimps it's hilarious and you get good feel of how they conversed with each other . the slangs takes a min to get used to but there's a glossary (didn't know that until the end of the book )

a fun story

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The combination of narration and writing here is about as perfect as one could ask for. Pimp: The Story of My Life is the true memoir of a pimp in the 1930s and 1940s. It is brutal, unflinchingly honest, funny, terrifying, stylized, concise, oppressive, and one of the most riveting books I have ever read. Start to finish, I probably completed the book in three days (which is fast for me, given it's 11 hours). It is brilliantly written, the author was a true talent. Introduced by the author as a cautionary tale, it reads more as a guidebook to the aspiring pimp, player, or even just a cagey entrepreneur trying to survive in a cutthroat environment. Ice-T said that "'Pimp' was the first real black experience put into a book," and given the fact that the story takes place before rap, before hip-hop, before the crack epidemic, and before even the civil rights movement, it is an astonishing look at what the urban black experience was like in the first half of the 20th Century. Also, if you need a guidebook on 20th century slang, this is the ultimate codex. If you get lost, bear with it, there is a glossary at the end. Highly recommend this book to anyone looking to expand their horizons.

Utterly riveting.

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I read it twice to catch the hidden moments in the book and I am working on my third read

recommneded

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a well written glimpse into the life and times of a man whose choices you may not agree with but you will understand. I picked this book because it was recommended and I'm happy to say it was well enjoyed. We are born into this world and told these are the right choices and these are the wrong choices. says who?. everuthing this man did when done by a co-operation is widely accepted if you think about it. but that's just my opinion. hope you enjoy it as much as i did

True Grit

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Excellent narration + fascinating storyline = educational submersive experience. This audiobook stands out. It is shocking. It is educational. It is brilliant. Excellent performance.

Unusually Outstanding

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Really powerful writing and interesting perspective on the life of a pimp. check it out

A MUST READ AT LEAST ONCE

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Enjoy Iceberg Slim's tails I was sad when the book was done! Great listen....huge eye opener to a dark world!

Absolutely Fascinating!

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A first person account of a world some people never think about. A great Trip. If you've got the stomach to handle some crime, abuse and the unforgiving life a pimp has to live, don't miss out on this.

detailed and intriguing

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