Tragic and Numbing, 07 Feb 2003
I finished reading this powerful book about an hour ago. The main impression I had was a great sense of sadness for a hopeful and innocent life that had been gradually destroyed. He was used and abused by alomst everybody in his life except for his papa, sister Carol, Injun and Dorcas his "girlfriend." Continually through the book you see that all the decent and kind people have their lives suddenly ended in horrific acts of violence dressed up as love, revenge, necessity (him or me) or just carelessness for the consequences of their actions. These acts were often perpetrated by their friends or family.

Otis (the main character) is a good person who cannot justify this senseless cruelty because of a persons colour or background or job and so extends a Samaritan like hand to those who would not have done the same for him. In this way the book manages to remain, in all its horror, optimistic about the nature of a kind soul in a world of suffering right until the very last word. Unfortunately there is an epilogue that absolutely shattered me.

On top of all the misery and loss that he observed - he always seemed to be an observer in his life - Otis also had to come to terms with his sexuality at a time when he was regarded by others, and himself, as a freak of nature. He often wonders why he is unable to perform for the woman he thinks he loves and puts it down to a powerful (wrongly called schizophrenic on the sleeve) character inside himself called Sally. He thinks that if he can only have sex with a woman without having to think about it then he will be a man and life will get better. This provides a stark reminder of just how alienated and frightening the world was for people like Otis who just could not even begin to comprehend that they are as pure and naturally human as any other in the world. His strength to keep on going and trying against this unwinnable battle is both inspirational and full of hopeless despair.

I think telling his story was, in the end, too much.

What a fantastic book. I am going to read it again this weekend and have the cry I had to hold off on the commuter train this morning.

Unbelievable, 01 Sep 2002
I can't believe that this book hasn't been reviewed yet! This is quite simply one of the most beautiful novels you will ever read. Based on a true story this tells the story of a drag queen pimp that became one of America's most important literary voices. It is possibly Iceberg Slim's finest moment combining gritty images of street life with sensitive portrayals of child abuse as seen throught the victims eyes and a classic mother/child relationship.
Hailed by both authors and the hip hop community in general, Iceberg Slim's words are at equal parts gritty, sensitive and poetic. Although it's a cliche, this book will make you cry and laugh.

Tragic and Numbing, 07 Feb 2003
I finished reading this powerful book about an hour ago. The main impression I had was a great sense of sadness for a hopeful and innocent life that had been gradually destroyed. He was used and abused by alomst everybody in his life except for his papa, sister Carol, Injun and Dorcas his "girlfriend." Continually through the book you see that all the decent and kind people have their lives suddenly ended in horrific acts of violence dressed up as love, revenge, necessity (him or me) or just carelessness for the consequences of their actions. These acts were often perpetrated by their friends or family.

Otis (the main character) is a good person who cannot justify this senseless cruelty because of a persons colour or background or job and so extends a Samaritan like hand to those who would not have done the same for him. In this way the book manages to remain, in all its horror, optimistic about the nature of a kind soul in a world of suffering right until the very last word. Unfortunately there is an epilogue that absolutely shattered me.

On top of all the misery and loss that he observed - he always seemed to be an observer in his life - Otis also had to come to terms with his sexuality at a time when he was regarded by others, and himself, as a freak of nature. He often wonders why he is unable to perform for the woman he thinks he loves and puts it down to a powerful (wrongly called schizophrenic on the sleeve) character inside himself called Sally. He thinks that if he can only have sex with a woman without having to think about it then he will be a man and life will get better. This provides a stark reminder of just how alienated and frightening the world was for people like Otis who just could not even begin to comprehend that they are as pure and naturally human as any other in the world. His strength to keep on going and trying against this unwinnable battle is both inspirational and full of hopeless despair.

I think telling his story was, in the end, too much.

What a fantastic book. I am going to read it again this weekend and have the cry I had to hold off on the commuter train this morning.

Unbelievable, 01 Sep 2002
I can't believe that this book hasn't been reviewed yet! This is quite simply one of the most beautiful novels you will ever read. Based on a true story this tells the story of a drag queen pimp that became one of America's most important literary voices. It is possibly Iceberg Slim's finest moment combining gritty images of street life with sensitive portrayals of child abuse as seen throught the victims eyes and a classic mother/child relationship.
Hailed by both authors and the hip hop community in general, Iceberg Slim's words are at equal parts gritty, sensitive and poetic. Although it's a cliche, this book will make you cry and laugh.

There is no better cult writer than Iceberg Slim, 27 Jun 2003
This story charts the life and strife of a 'yellow' negro, who passes himself off as white in the harsh backdrop of a white man's world.
Iceberg's down to earth writing tells it as it is, no holds barred. It is evident from this book that Iceberg himself was no stranger to the world of hustling and the art of the con.

A must read for anyone with an interest in the opression of black America. However this is not a political book, but one of great observation that entertains with every turn of the page.

Tragic and Numbing, 07 Feb 2003
I finished reading this powerful book about an hour ago. The main impression I had was a great sense of sadness for a hopeful and innocent life that had been gradually destroyed. He was used and abused by alomst everybody in his life except for his papa, sister Carol, Injun and Dorcas his "girlfriend." Continually through the book you see that all the decent and kind people have their lives suddenly ended in horrific acts of violence dressed up as love, revenge, necessity (him or me) or just carelessness for the consequences of their actions. These acts were often perpetrated by their friends or family.

Otis (the main character) is a good person who cannot justify this senseless cruelty because of a persons colour or background or job and so extends a Samaritan like hand to those who would not have done the same for him. In this way the book manages to remain, in all its horror, optimistic about the nature of a kind soul in a world of suffering right until the very last word. Unfortunately there is an epilogue that absolutely shattered me.

On top of all the misery and loss that he observed - he always seemed to be an observer in his life - Otis also had to come to terms with his sexuality at a time when he was regarded by others, and himself, as a freak of nature. He often wonders why he is unable to perform for the woman he thinks he loves and puts it down to a powerful (wrongly called schizophrenic on the sleeve) character inside himself called Sally. He thinks that if he can only have sex with a woman without having to think about it then he will be a man and life will get better. This provides a stark reminder of just how alienated and frightening the world was for people like Otis who just could not even begin to comprehend that they are as pure and naturally human as any other in the world. His strength to keep on going and trying against this unwinnable battle is both inspirational and full of hopeless despair.

I think telling his story was, in the end, too much.

What a fantastic book. I am going to read it again this weekend and have the cry I had to hold off on the commuter train this morning.

Unbelievable, 01 Sep 2002
I can't believe that this book hasn't been reviewed yet! This is quite simply one of the most beautiful novels you will ever read. Based on a true story this tells the story of a drag queen pimp that became one of America's most important literary voices. It is possibly Iceberg Slim's finest moment combining gritty images of street life with sensitive portrayals of child abuse as seen throught the victims eyes and a classic mother/child relationship.
Hailed by both authors and the hip hop community in general, Iceberg Slim's words are at equal parts gritty, sensitive and poetic. Although it's a cliche, this book will make you cry and laugh.

There is no better cult writer than Iceberg Slim, 27 Jun 2003
This story charts the life and strife of a 'yellow' negro, who passes himself off as white in the harsh backdrop of a white man's world.
Iceberg's down to earth writing tells it as it is, no holds barred. It is evident from this book that Iceberg himself was no stranger to the world of hustling and the art of the con.

A must read for anyone with an interest in the opression of black America. However this is not a political book, but one of great observation that entertains with every turn of the page.

Long Con, 26 Jan 2007
Ice Berg Slim is a true master of the word. His dialogue is dazzling. His cast so real you can almost touch them. "Pimp" is the book to start with, but Trick Baby is just as good and stands alone as a brilliant example of American writing.
Trick Baby is a term used for the offspring of a black prostitute who has given birth to a baby who is half white. The baby of a white John (client of the prostitute) is considered a trick baby. Half black. Half white.
After his mother is gang raped and put into a secure mental hospital, White Folks (trick baby) falls into the company of Blue, a grifter con-man who teaches Folks the art of Con. How to hustle for money in downtown Chicago. Folks has an advantage as he looks like a peckerwood (white man) Blue and Folks play the con and earn lots of money on the grifter circuit.
They play to close to danger and the con catches up with them.
Quote from Trick Baby. Folks and Blue talk about religion.
Blue: "My conviction is that God never existed. I believe the Bible was written by the slickest bunch of peckerwood grifters that ever crapped between two sandals" .... Brilliant!
Read this book.

A brilliant novel with excellent charcters., 19 Oct 1999
After reading Iceberg Slim's autobiographical "Pimp" I couldn't wait to read more. Trick Baby, set in Chicago in the 30's tells the story of Whitefolks and his mentor Blue as two conmen trying to survive. What I found remarkable about this book and others written by Slim is the sheer honesty that comes from each page. He deals with subjects neglected by almost everybody else in the U.S. His books are of major importance and deserve to be read by a much wider audience.

Tragic and Numbing, 07 Feb 2003
I finished reading this powerful book about an hour ago. The main impression I had was a great sense of sadness for a hopeful and innocent life that had been gradually destroyed. He was used and abused by alomst everybody in his life except for his papa, sister Carol, Injun and Dorcas his "girlfriend." Continually through the book you see that all the decent and kind people have their lives suddenly ended in horrific acts of violence dressed up as love, revenge, necessity (him or me) or just carelessness for the consequences of their actions. These acts were often perpetrated by their friends or family.

Otis (the main character) is a good person who cannot justify this senseless cruelty because of a persons colour or background or job and so extends a Samaritan like hand to those who would not have done the same for him. In this way the book manages to remain, in all its horror, optimistic about the nature of a kind soul in a world of suffering right until the very last word. Unfortunately there is an epilogue that absolutely shattered me.

On top of all the misery and loss that he observed - he always seemed to be an observer in his life - Otis also had to come to terms with his sexuality at a time when he was regarded by others, and himself, as a freak of nature. He often wonders why he is unable to perform for the woman he thinks he loves and puts it down to a powerful (wrongly called schizophrenic on the sleeve) character inside himself called Sally. He thinks that if he can only have sex with a woman without having to think about it then he will be a man and life will get better. This provides a stark reminder of just how alienated and frightening the world was for people like Otis who just could not even begin to comprehend that they are as pure and naturally human as any other in the world. His strength to keep on going and trying against this unwinnable battle is both inspirational and full of hopeless despair.

I think telling his story was, in the end, too much.

What a fantastic book. I am going to read it again this weekend and have the cry I had to hold off on the commuter train this morning.

Unbelievable, 01 Sep 2002
I can't believe that this book hasn't been reviewed yet! This is quite simply one of the most beautiful novels you will ever read. Based on a true story this tells the story of a drag queen pimp that became one of America's most important literary voices. It is possibly Iceberg Slim's finest moment combining gritty images of street life with sensitive portrayals of child abuse as seen throught the victims eyes and a classic mother/child relationship.
Hailed by both authors and the hip hop community in general, Iceberg Slim's words are at equal parts gritty, sensitive and poetic. Although it's a cliche, this book will make you cry and laugh.

There is no better cult writer than Iceberg Slim, 27 Jun 2003
This story charts the life and strife of a 'yellow' negro, who passes himself off as white in the harsh backdrop of a white man's world.
Iceberg's down to earth writing tells it as it is, no holds barred. It is evident from this book that Iceberg himself was no stranger to the world of hustling and the art of the con.

A must read for anyone with an interest in the opression of black America. However this is not a political book, but one of great observation that entertains with every turn of the page.

Long Con, 26 Jan 2007
Ice Berg Slim is a true master of the word. His dialogue is dazzling. His cast so real you can almost touch them. "Pimp" is the book to start with, but Trick Baby is just as good and stands alone as a brilliant example of American writing.
Trick Baby is a term used for the offspring of a black prostitute who has given birth to a baby who is half white. The baby of a white John (client of the prostitute) is considered a trick baby. Half black. Half white.
After his mother is gang raped and put into a secure mental hospital, White Folks (trick baby) falls into the company of Blue, a grifter con-man who teaches Folks the art of Con. How to hustle for money in downtown Chicago. Folks has an advantage as he looks like a peckerwood (white man) Blue and Folks play the con and earn lots of money on the grifter circuit.
They play to close to danger and the con catches up with them.
Quote from Trick Baby. Folks and Blue talk about religion.
Blue: "My conviction is that God never existed. I believe the Bible was written by the slickest bunch of peckerwood grifters that ever crapped between two sandals" .... Brilliant!
Read this book.

A brilliant novel with excellent charcters., 19 Oct 1999
After reading Iceberg Slim's autobiographical "Pimp" I couldn't wait to read more. Trick Baby, set in Chicago in the 30's tells the story of Whitefolks and his mentor Blue as two conmen trying to survive. What I found remarkable about this book and others written by Slim is the sheer honesty that comes from each page. He deals with subjects neglected by almost everybody else in the U.S. His books are of major importance and deserve to be read by a much wider audience.

A MUST-BUY!, 06 Mar 2004
The skill with which this book is written is matched by it's contents. A monumental classic that contains such a range of depth and content it is bound to appeal enormously to anyone except a conservative, easily shocked reader. Over the years I have read this book countless times since I discovered it. I'm on my 2nd copy! It's marred only by the shamefully ignorant, presumtious, introduction by someone called Sapphire. I agree wit the other reviewr, Paradise's Space Age Pimping book is also hot. But Iceberg is in a league of his own.

THE Pimp book. Also one of the best books ever written., 31 Jan 2004
This is a masterpeice towering above most other books ever written. Full stop. Why? Ooozing with atmoshpere, it's cleverley written, exciting and very sad at the same time, deep, it bares the soul of the author as you journey through the Chicago streets, bars, the prisons, the penthouses with him. There's a glossary at the back, because he uses street slang from the 1930s Chicago scene as he would speak. Which adds to the atmosphere immensley, but takes some getting used to. This is a book that can be enjoyed at a plethora of levels. Other books to read if you love this are all his others, particularly Naked Soul and Trick Baby. Paradises' Space Age Pimping. Goines' Whoreson. DVDs American Pimp and Pimps Up Hoes Down.

Pimpalicious line of BS, but entertaining nonetheless., 18 Dec 2003
Pimp: The Story of My Life, is a mostly lightweight, breezy, occasionally funny book. Sure it is way more fiction than fact, and more than a few urban legends get trotted out for the gullible reader to swallow as facts from the author's life. But that is the real pimp lesson, the pimp isn't really much more than a conman who's greatest con job is himself.

There are some dark moments put across here, but the lack of trust in Iceberg Slim's ability to tell the truth does him no favours, and if he is telling the truth about some of the beatings he handed to his prostitutes then that sure makes him look a sorry ass sucker.

But if you take it as a work of fiction, then it reads as a fast paced novel, lively, humourous, with a bit of a raw edge. Just don't get sucked in and let 'Slim' make a mug of you. After reading it you sure won't be no pimptastic mack daddy with all the master's moves and grooves and a slick line of chat. So take it with a pinch of salt, sit back, and soak up the atmosphere, and enjoy it for what it is.

Masterpeice, 09 Aug 2002
Since I have read this book I have tried, in vain, to find another book to match it's emotional depth, intelligence, street smartness and theory's about the Pimp game, dark humor & unparalleled talent for creating atmosphere.

Look in it for what you want. Like any work of art, the book may be translated and percived in many ways by the reader. It provides food for thought. It delivers in raw street flavour. The suspence, cunning, tradgedy, violence, fear, poverty & stunning wealth. The book delivers on so many levels. From controlling a stable to escaping prison and confronting his inner emotions... a complete masterpeice.

THIS book is a must buy, along with PARADISE's book SPACE AGE PIMPING, if you are even slightly interested in the subject these books are M A N D A T O R Y lol

An absolutly amazing book, 11 Jul 2002
Pimp enthrawls the reader right from the start as you are drawn into the world of Bobby Lancaster. As a reader you will go through the whole book with conflicting emotions; supporting him in his uncompromising effort to succeed and then disgusted at the horribles beatings he gives out to women. Even though we see his eventual redemption in old age and deep regret of his previous life, at no time does the book ever come across as preaching the immoralities of any way of life. It simply is the very frank account of one man's life and the reader is deeply rewarded when coming to their own conclusions about the man known as Iceberg Slim.

A must read, regardless of genre preferences.