Assata: An Autobiography

by Assata Shakur

Book Overview

This presents the life story of African American revolutionary Shakur, previously known as JoAnne Chesimard.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B0092GGKG6
• ISBN13: 9781556520747
• Release Date: November 2001
• Publisher: Lawrence Hill Books
• Length: 274 Pages
• Weight: 1.05 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 6.1" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Truth Scare Care Some People

All ages of people and races.

Assata really opened my eyes

She provided a surreal outlook of the black and human experience in the united states.

So You Think Your a Revolutionary?

let start by saying; i hate autobiographies! yet two that have set my spirit on fire we Malcolm X's and Assata Shakur's. each opened my eyes to the struggles of the people during the 60's and 70's. showed the lengths the goverment went to to thwart the civil rights movement, the fight for equality and anyone involved. So You Think Your a Revolutionary? well read this book and find out what a true Revolutionary is. Assata's book was deep because it's rare that we are able to read of the hardships faced by the SISTA's involved in the struggle. of how the goverment treated her like an animal, keeping her caged up for years while framing her for various crimes to which Assata wasnt involved. i loved how the sister remained strong during this time....had it been, i would have folded! what was REALLY GREAT is how Assata was honest about her time with the Black Panthers. for as great as the Panthers were, Assata lets you know....it wasnt all lovely on the inside. just reading this book made my blood boil and my mind fill with rage. funny thing is, the things that happened to Assata during the 70's are still happening today. funny how things change but remain the same. Assata Shakur...Peace and Blessings to you sister. i am your humble student for life. thank you for opening my eyes to your struggle.

Can You Handle It?!?

Assata opened my mind, heart and level of consciousness. While reading her story, I felt as though I had been transported through time and was experiencing every taunt, kick, ache and passion that she described. Her story is one that should be shared and discussed and I for one am grateful to have experienced her tale.

The Truth

I felt compelled to write this letter, because this book is how black people in amerika really struggled back in the the late 60's early 70's. As a black young female, I feel our youth today has no idea half of the drama that our ancestors went through. We need to take the time with our children and read the stories of yester year. It may seem harsh at first, but then when they realize the struggles from the past they will appreciate where they are now. I am so glad I read this book. If it wasn't for the brother Common, showing me the light, I don't think I would have ever heard of Assata Shakur. That's what we need, more youth sharing our history; good and bad. We need to look at our for ourselves. Don't be like me at 24 and just now starting to get into my true roots. But better late than never. Peace and blessing.#

Courageous Assata

The book is truly amazing. After reading it you should feel very enlightened (if not already) about the truths of the United States. Assata Shakur went through alot of things as to so many other black leader just for us. I'm a young black girl and I love Assata honestly with my whole heart. The book is tuly excellent I never wanted to put it down. I encourage everyone of every race to read it and to be open minded to the fact that its real. Just read it in the fact that if you have ever been in pain, Assata understands.

A real page-turner!

Assata, is an autobiography that travels at a fast pace and it's hard to put down because you will truly anticipate the conclusion.The book Assata gives great insight into the role that women played in the Black Panther Party and contrary to popular belief the women did not take the back seat.The book is a journey through Assata's life. As a child she lived with her mother in New York and came down South (Wilmington, North Carolina to be exact) to visit her grandparents in the summer. In Wilmington--home of the "Wilmington 10" and an 1898 coup d'etat(if you don't know about these events please ask somebody)--she got a first hand view of segregation. It is my opinion that her experiences as a child down South made her aware of the struggle of Black people.She went through various rebellious phases as a young adult and eventually found her way to the Black Panther Party. From this point forward you begin to see through the eyes of a comrade in th! is movement. The book deals with her expereinces with COINTELPRO (the U.S. counterintelligence program created to destablize certain civil rights organizations, particularly the BPP) to an incident on a New Jersey turnpike that leaves two highway patrolmen dead. Although she was sentenced to life in prison, she now resides in Cuba. To find out how she wound up there, I guess you will have to read the book. Among other reasons, this book continues to be timely and relevant because Assata continues to be a war cry for supporters of tightened sanctions against "Castro's Cuba".