New York Books

I haven't found any picture book of Manhattan that's as sharp, descriptive and beautiful as this one. Unfortunately, it is a bit outdated--for those seeking a realistic portrayal--because of new construction and destruction in New York City.

This book is really great. I recommend it to anyone who loves NY!

Let me first say I love New York, it is quite simply the most energetic, vibrant, alive place on earth. This book does the city such a service, it is spectacular and photographs just amazing. Mr. Cameron is such a singular talent and he does it hanging out of a helicopter. This book really captures the city and lets the viewer see the hidden New York, that very few see. I love the photos of Central Park, you have no idea what an oasis it is until you see it from high above. Some photos are in summer some are in winter and you get to see the city in all its various incarnations. Mr. Cameron also includes some vintage photos to let the viewer see how much the city has changed. I only wish that Mr. Careron had been able to photograph my city of Houston, she would have welcomed him with opened arms. I highly recommend this book, you won't be disappointed.

Robert Cameron's "Above New York: A Collection of Historical and Original Aerial Photographs of New York City" sets itself apart from other similar books. In no particular order:

a) the photos are unbelieveably crisp and the printing is of top-notch quality;
b) don't ask me how, but Mr. Cameron makes the city look like a place where human beings actually live and work, rather than making the cityscape look like an architectural diorama;
c) other boroughs are represented! New York is not just Manhattan, as so many other books would have you think.

The contrast of the modern skyline with the older photographs is very effective, as others have mentioned. But what is also appealing is the changes of the skyline between the time these photos were taken (ca. 1988) and today, as we New Yorkers would notice. The images of the World Trade Center are poignant, but I'm glad that the publishers did not update the book, in order to remove them. As time takes its healing course, we can look back fondly on those buildings--still with pain, but now with some acceptance. "Above New York: A Collection of Historical and Original Aerial Photographs of New York City" remains a glorious collection that has yet to be eclipsed in quality.

Rocco Dormarunno
author of The Five Points

This is the best photographic book I have ever seen. Its pictures of The Big Apple are magnificent! Comparative pictures taken in years past, many in the 1920s, show how sections of the city have changed. Whether one is a fan of New York and who isn't, you will enjoy this book. It makes me want all the other "Above" books now.

After reading the reviews, I was looking forward to reading this book. I was very disappointed. It was predictable and trite. I was singularly unimpressed with the never-ending brawls. I got the feeling he was simply rewriting macho movie action scenes we've all seen ad nauseam. And of course, there had to be the beautiful women in distress that only Devlin could save. I found it interesting this "moral" man slept with the other woman character just hours after learning his love interest had been nabbed by the bad guys. But I guess we're supposed to accept that Jack Devlin just can't help himself and the ladies just can't resist him. This book is fine for those who enjoy this genre, I guess. From the reviews, I thought it was going to be a bit more cerebral and thought-provoking. It wasn't.

I purchased this book in 1995 in a drugstore. It is the best action novel I have ever read! I have looked in vain for another action novel of the same caliber for years. I have now read this book 3 times over the last few years and I never grow tired of it. Devlin is what every man wishes he could be. If you are looking for high art this is not the book for you! If you are looking for a double fisted, .45 caliber, ride of a novel, this is it.

having read all of Mr. Clarkson's book as well as hundreds of other action dramas I'd rate him right up there with anyone. Well written, hot, furious, and fun. It's a one day read, PERIOD!!!

John Clarkson has it all - terrific prose, interesting characters, intricate plotting and all the action I could handle in one novel.I am now off to read the rest of his novels!!!

If you want a book loaded with action, interesting characters, and very fast-paced get yourself a copy of And Justice For One. You'll be glued to the edge of your seat throughput the whole book!

This play is an absolute joy to read, with characters who come into their own, If anyone loves the movie or enjoys theatre, this has quite alot for everyone, funny dialogue, romance, murder and of course Teddy... after reading this I was tempted to run up the stairs shouting "CHARGE!!!"
Shipping to the UK was brilliant too came on the expected delievery date.

This is an enduring classic comedy that has been staged with actors of all ages including those in high schools, community theaters and professional productions. The script contains jokes based on the status of "the theater" at the time (common discussions among critics at that time parallel the line in a Simon and Garfunkle song, "is the theater really dead?") The story line is built on a wonderful array of eccentric characters. A great deal of the comedy is based on dramatic irony, where the audience knows something that some or all of the actors on stage do not. Great to stage and fun to see.

I received the product very quickly and easily as is usual with Amazon.

It was hard to read this without thinking of the wonderful movie. In a nutshell it is a play about a family where mental illness (insanity) is rampant. One character thinks he is Teddy Roosevelt and is building the Panama canal in the cellar. Two characters think they are performing a charity by poisoning lonely elderly men which the Teddy Roosevelt character perceives to be victims of yellow fever and buries them in Panama canal locks. These characters are perceived by neighbors as kind and gentle souls. Another character is an escapee from a hospital for the criminally insane. It is understandable why the sane member of the family is afraid to get married. He finds out that he is not related by blood to this family. The play is wonderfully written. I found it disturbing that these kindly gentle elderly women were serial killers. It just goes to show things are not always what they appear. Also, torture was alluded to in the play. All in all a good read.

Although these words refer to Teddy Brewster in this hilarious play by Joseph Kesselring, they could have applied equally to most of the other members of the Brewster household. Teddy thinks he is Teddy Roosevelt, always "charging" upstairs when he is not in the basement digging "locks for the Panama Canal." His two elderly aunts, with whom he lives, also have their own bizarre secret, for which the hand-dug "locks" in the basement are employed to good effect.

Jonathan, Teddy's "disagreeable" brother, who disappeared many years ago, returns during the play with secrets of his own. With his face altered by plastic surgery, he is accompanied by Dr. Einstein, with whom he plans to set up an operating room in the house so the doctor can give new faces to criminals. The only normal person in the family is Mortimer, a drama critic who hates plays, engaged to marry Elaine, the innocent daughter of the minister next door. Mortimer is particularly upset by Jonathan's return--"the most detestable, vicious, venomous form of animal life I ever knew."

The frantic action, the ironies, the comic routines, and the dramatic surprises all center around two bodies, hidden at various times in the window seat of the living room, and the reactions to them by the various people within the household. The local police, friends of Aunt Abby and Aunt Martha, stop by to chat, have coffee, and protect these "sweet" old ladies, often at the worst possible moments, while Mortimer tries to decide what to do about his strange family and the bodies in the house.

Arsenic and Old Lace is such a strong play, with so many hilarious moments, that it is not surprising that this is a staple of local theaters and high school drama groups. Much of the play involves sight gags, contretemps, and weird characters behaving outrageously. Careful delivery of lines and subtlety of gesture are far less important here than the high- speed action, over-the-top characterizations, and split second timing of entrances and exits. One of the funniest and most often performed plays of American theater, Arsenic and Old Lace is as delightful in the twenty-first century as it was when it was first performed in 1941. Mary Whipple

Often I have said my gender cannot write. Louisa is an exception. I bought her book because the ancient black madonna interests me very much. The famous gothic cathedral of Chartres in France is dedicated to her. In this book you see the veneration for the black madonna come to life. The author keeps you in suspense as the story line unfolds, and I find her style of developing the characters and plots very charming. She presents wisdom of life and humor, that made me laugh out loud. The reason I read is to be entertained, and I was truly entertained from start to finish. I even learned a thing or two.

My mother grew up in the area where this book takes place. I bought her this book, and she was said it was wonderful and brought back many memories. The sites mentioned are all real, and some of the people remind her of those she grew up with. If anyone is nostalgiac for that area and era, this is a must-read.

What a terrific group of people to "meet" and easily get to know. This story takes place in the row houses in Little Itlay in NY. The author does a great job of making the reader feel like part of the "family" of neighbors and tight-knit family. Reading this book was like sitting on the front stoop with these characters catching up on the neighborhood gossip. There are the old world Italians that are actually from Italy and this particular group stick with old customs and beliefs and don't wander to far from Little Italy. Then there are the young, new Italians born in Little Italy but tend to wander out of the neighborhood and meet new friends not from Little Italy or even Italian. We get to meet the overbearing, Italian mother of a son who has a hard time being independent or even wanting to be independent. This story made me laugh at times. I wouldn't call this a comedy, I'd call this a look at a different ethnic culture but also being able to recognize someone familiar. This was an excellent book and story with a lot of people to enjoy. A fun education of "the old ways".

I loved this book. I read it during a 20-hour bus ride, keeping my above-the-seat light on well into the night. Not so much to see what would happen (although you really don't know that until the last pages); more because I just wasn't ready to say good-night to the characters. This is the best part: Unlike many books I read, the ending was just as good as the beginning. I'll read more of her books.

"The Black Madonna" is loaded with stereotypes -- the overbearing Italian mama, the rich Jewish family; however, this book is so hysterical that political correctness must, thank God, go by the wayside. Filled with scenes of life in tenement housing in "the old neighborhood," Louisa Ermelino has written great atmosphere with colorful, memorable characters. There is no deep plot, just a delightful splash of life, love, religion, friendship, and aging.

Just as I feel about their first book, do yourself a favor and treat yourself to this one too! Let's hope these true stories inspire others so be so kind. Enjoy.

Ginny's unique talents in locating sick and injured cats had rendered her numerous appearances in CNN, Animal Planet and major news. Her rescue stories were illustrated by two national best selling books: The Dog who Rescues Cats and the Blessing of the Animals. Ginny passed away on August 25th, 2005.



With the passing of Ginny, her unfinished mission of cat rescuing is continued by her caretaker Philip Gonzalez everyday. A non profit organization, The Ginny Fund, has been established to raise fund for cat rescuing in Long Beach New York.
For more information about Ginny, Pleas visit ginnyfanclub website.

Today's New York Daily News reported on the passing of Ginny, a/k/a the Mother Theresa of Cats, gone at the age of 17. She succumbed to old age yesterday afternoon on a blanket in Philip Gonzalez's care. As for Ginny's story, this is one of my favorite books. The stories are truly heartwarming and this book was a "gotta have it" purchase. Browsing the pet section in a local bookstore, I found this and it jogged my memory: Ginny's story was familiar to me due to a Reader's Digest article, but what happened next? This book captures all the tails...er, TALES, lol. I will definitely re-read this now. How could a dog love cats she doesn't live with? As a cat person, I've always been intrigued by this. How ironic that such incredible humanity could have come from one of god's furry creatures. Rest in peace, Ginny. Let us hope there are more of you in the world.

A continuation of a very sweet story. I have a few stray cats around my home and even though my inside cats aren't as willing to share as Ginny (LOL), I make sure to feed them and give them shelter. I highly recommend this book and also the one that came before it! (Not sure of the exact title).

I read this book in one afternoon and handed it off to my husband, who could not put it down. I relate to the author in one respect: after having animals all my life, I connected with one cat so profoundly that I have devoted my life and work to alleviating animal suffering and overcoming the devastating problem of pet overpopulation. It's bittersweet. I love animals with a depth that is so satisfying, and enjoy human and animal company more than I ever was able. But I am now so attuned to animal suffering (generally due to human neglect or abuse -- I'm not trying to fight the forces of nature) that it is difficult to focus on anything else. Just read this book. It feels so good!

This is a great book! I felt like I was in New York City. It is so nice to have good Christian fiction to read. My thanks to the authors!

This is by far the authors' best work to date - I couldn't put this one down. It was so easy to identify with Jane and root for her character along the way. I especially loved the character, Coates...(I usually try to put actor's faces to the characters I am reading and I could totally picture Patrick Dempsey in this role :))

It was much more emotional than I expected - more so than any other chick/lit book I've read...I was actually sad to see it end. Here's to more from Dayton & Vanderbilt!

Every book I've read by these authors gets better and better. I was pretty disappointed by Emily Ever After, as I felt that he protagonist was unlikeable and hypocritical. But I saw enough positives in the writing to check out their next book, Consider Lily, which I thoroughly enjoyed. I picked up The Book of Jane the following week, and I absolutely loved it. Jane was real, relatable, and likeable. The plot is a contemporary retelling of the book of Job, and is an encouraging read for anyone who knows what it's like to question your faith when life seems to fall apart. There were actually moments in the book that made my eyes well up: just little kernels of wisdom in there that spoke to my heart. I highly recommend this book, and look forward to the next novel by these authors.

Jane had it all. Great job, wonderful boyfriend, good apartment. Everything was going well for her. But then it all comes crashing down. Her boyfriend dumps her. She loses her job. Her apartment gets halfway destroyed. Rumors are spread about her. And she has this weird rash on her face that won't go away. It's enough to make anyway jump off the deep end. But thanks to her faith in God and a cute guy who seems to pop up at the right moments, Jane learns how to get through it all.

Christian chick lit just keeps getting better and better these days. It's great to read about stories about young women who are Christians with strong faith yet still like to shop for shoes and hunt for guys. Dayton and Vanderbilt's characters live like real people do without being all high and mighty or overly trying to witness to others. They show their faith by their actions, not trying to convert everyone they see. This book was tons of fun to read. Jane is a great character, very multi dimensional and easy to relate to. I felt for Jane especially during the scene where she tries to call her friend for help. Curse words would have uttered out of me at that point. I love the scenes in the hotel. I felt happy that something finally good was going for her. The storyline is a chick lit parable of the book of Job, but luckily Jane doesn't have it half as bad as he did (although the rash on her face would cause her to think she did). She handled things better than I would have in her situation. I would have been faced with the urge to throw something at the perpetrator of all the rumors about her. And her boyfriend: ARGGGHH! I have no complaints at all about this book. I couldn't stop reading it and now I want everyone else to. A funny hip read with a strong message about faith and belief in God. This is a book I could pass along to others even those who don't normally read Christian fiction. Highly recommended for a good time.

I enjoy "chick-lit" that is light, fun and entertaining. And if the aforementioned novel has an uplifting message to boot... well, that makes it perfect. The Book of Jane is a modern-day look into the Bible's book of Job, and the novel enthralled me, touched me, made me smile and at times laugh out loud all at the same time. Twenty-eight-year-old New Yorker Jane Williams has it all. She has a chic apartment in the Village, a fabulous PR job, a great boyfriend, wonderful friends and an awesome hobby as a leader of the Girl Scouts. She is also a devoted Christian. But it's easy to be a Christian when one's life is going well. Will Jane's faith falter if she were to suddenly lose it all? Well, she's about to find out. Jane goes through a tough road to self-discovery, and with an arrogant and coaxing jerk like Coates Glassman to test her, the road gets even bumpier.

I LOVED reading this! Anne Dayton and May Vanderbilt know how to fuse an inspirational, Christian message with a fun and sassy voice without being preachy or judgmental. Most people are under the impression that Christians are a strict, joyless bunch. A novel like this proves them wrong. Jane is a great character. She is sweet and grounded. Her flaws and cries for help humanize her. She is a character that all women could relate to. The secondary characters are wonderful as well. I loved Lee, Jane's next door neighbor and best friend. I thought Matt, the movie star, was a tad stereotyped, but that was the one of the very few flaws in this book. The novel starts out a little slow, but it soon becomes impossible to put down. Yes, The Book of Jane is a modern take of Job and how God tested him, and the results are wonderful. Dayton and Vanderbilt are authors whose work I'll look closely from now on. In the meantime, I highly recommend this gem.

I seldom reread a book; this book I have read twice and bought three copies to give away. I will read it again; the writing is so funny, so dazzling. The characters are so real, their stories so poignant. Jewish readers will especially love this book; we know these people though we have never met. I fell in love with Bummy Davis and when he died, I felt a loss. My gangster imagination loved reading about all the mob characters, though I am not a fan of violence or boxing for that matter. I read this book as my husband lay dying of cancer; it kept me uplifted during this difficult time. I loved that it was long and hated that it had to end. This is such a special book, and I haven't even mentioned the awesome research it must have taken to write it.

This book is a very satisfying trip down boxing's memory lane. Ron Ross resurrects here the color and drama of a very fascinating, tough NY prizefighter with a heart of gold--Bummy. Ross gives us in this welcomed work, devoted research, clearly a labor of love, and fine writing. Clearly, I see this book being optioned in Hollywood. Boxing translates to the screen in a big way and I see this book making a million bucks for some talented film maker.

The authur Ron Ross is at his best. I could not stop reading amd I recommended the book to all my sons.I lived in East New york during those days.Fascinating.
Harry Keller

Fantastic account of the life and career of Al 'Bummy' Davis, during the time of Mob rule in New York. Fascinating look into the ways and troubles of immigrant communities and their exploitation by gangsters.

Whether you are looking for a boxing or mafia book, this will do the job.

For anyone who loves a good story, written with wit, humor, and style, this book is for you. I couldn't put it down, and found something to chuckle about or a phrase to admire or an ironic comment I loved at least once on each page. I finished the book today (March 29, 2007)and did something I never did before (and I am 80 year's old). I noted from the book jacket that the author divides his time between Oceanside, LI and Boca Raton, Fl, and even though it is 4 years since the book was written and the author's name is a relatively common one, I called information for his Boca Raton number and took a chance that it was the right Ron Ross. I left a message that if this Ron Ross was an author, would he please call me, and I left my number. A few hours later I received a call from Mr. Ross and we had a delightful conversation for 10 minutes or so. For me to have taken the time to locate Mr. Ross and call him is an example that actions speak louder than words. Believe my action and go out and buy, read, enjoy, and love the book. It's cheap enough, and you'll thank me, and more so, will thank Ron Ross.

Ed Gold

If you're and American Girl lover, you can keep the fun going with the Mystery novels.

Personally, I thought the "Mystery" was a little cheesy, even for ages 9 and up. In any case however, it was great to have the characters back to read about in a new story however, that is longer and different from the other Samantha stories.

The one thing that was lacking from this book was the phenomenal pictures American Girl books are famous for. If you ever just found the pictures distracting however, this book will not disappoint.

I read this and so did my grand daughter. She liked it so well, that she took it to school and they use this book as a reading book, to test on and to earn points for awards.

This book was really cool. It kept me in suspence. I thought this book would be boring, but it taught me to not judge a book by its cover.

Samantha Parkington couldn't be more excited about the prospect of her family moving into a posh, upscale apartment-hotel. Temporarily, that is. Sure, she'll miss her home. But with all of the renovations currently taking place there, it has been impossible to get any peace and quiet. However, Samantha seems to be the only one excited about moving to Ravenscourt. Nellie and her younger sisters - Bridget and Jenny - appear to be petrified about the move. And instantly begin to think that this is simply Uncle Gard and Aunt Cornelia's way of slowly displacing them from their newly adopted families. But Samantha knows that such a though is preposterous. Uncle Gard and Aunt Cornelia love all of the girls - even if they are rowdy and noisy at times. Upon arriving at Ravenscourt, however, Samantha begins to feel nervous about her new surroundings as well. After all, Nellie knows the owner of the apartment-hotel, and is aware of a horrible curse that was placed upon him years earlier. A curse that appears to be affecting how things work at Ravenscourt. The girls become terrified as they witness Ravenscourt succumb to one problem after another - from Jenny and Bridget falling ill with chicken pox, to rats in the building, and to Aunt Cornelia leaving the girls on their own with no one but Gertrude to look after them. Samantha begins to think that perhaps Nellie was right. Perhaps the curse of Ravenscourt is true. But Samantha refuses to begin believing in any curse until she has had the opportunity to do a little investigating herself. After all, the great Sherlock Holmes wouldn't jump to conclusions about crime, and Samantha refuses to do so herself. Now, with the help of Nellie, she intends to get to the bottom of the curse of Ravenscourt. But the more she investigates, the more she realizes that perhaps detective work is better left to the police, or Sherlock Holmes himself, because it is a dangerous job; and both Samantha and Nellie are putting their lives on the line by getting involved in it.

Samantha has been one of my favorite American Girl characters since I was just a child, which is why I find it impossible to resist reading any of the new tales written about the precocious New Yorker. THE CURSE OF RAVENSCOURT is the perfect example. Samantha's inquisitive nature is as strong here as it was in the previous novels about her life. Her interest in her surroundings, and her kindness towards those less-privileged than herself are refreshing; while her love for her newly adopted sisters - Nellie, Bridget, and Jenny - is enjoyable to witness. The four girls have such a powerful relationship with one another, and it is wonderful to see no sign of sibling rivalry. However, readers will feel sympathetic towards Samantha as she witnesses how much stronger the bond between Nellie, Bridget, and Jenny is when she is not around. The disappearance of Aunt Cornelia and Uncle Gard in this particular novel give it a bit of a more grown-up feeling, as the girls appear to have more free reign to sneak around, and conduct detective work; yet the few times their guardians come into play is quite enjoyable. An exciting, can't-put-down novel for middle readers that will leave them searching for a mystery of their own to solve!

Erika Sorocco
Freelance Reviewer

Samantha looks up at the massive building. Outlined against the grey sky, the carved ravens stared down at her from the rooftop. "It can't be cursed," she told Nellie, trying to sound brave. But inside, she felt a shiver of fear.

"A Samantha Mystery: The Curse of Ravenscourt" is among Sarah Masters Buckey's list of "succeeding whodunits yet." Set in the year 1906, eleven-year-olds Samantha and Nellie, whom are the two main characters of the book outline, temporarily stay at the new apartment-hotel Ravenscourt, coordinated by Mr. Raven and his daughter Eloise. As both young girls learn not only of the somewhat quaint hotel staff, but also the omens of the hotel; blood on the elevator doors, eerie night sounds, and various moments of suspicion, they begin an adventure to capture the ruthless prankster behind the antics, which leads to discover his foremost intentions of the caper-making.

Speaking from my experience, this particular American Girl mystery book will thoroughly succeed in catching your interest in the midst of the plot; you will find it difficult to put down this thoughtfully written book! Mrs. Buckey did a fabulous job with the research of s?ance' performances/ghost shows and historic Victorian hotels, proving this with her concise summary of "Looking Back: A peek into the Past." Overall, I give this book an A+ and highly recommend it to any young, ambitious sleuths.

Was not expecting to enjoy this book so much! I loved it!

This is not a bad book, but this book was not for me. I enjoy hip hop, but it's not a huge part of my life, so while reading this book I found I could not really relate to the characters or the subject matter.

Reading about G Double G made me think "Suge Knight." His character was probably a mix of different males in the Hip Hop industry. The way the women were objectified in this book, it's no wonder you still have women who want to be involved in hip hop in any shape or form. The use of the N word also disturbed me a great deal. I would cringe every time I saw the word printed. Despite disliking seeing the word, I understood why Black Aretmis used the word in the book. I don't approve of the word and never will. I don't care how much hip hop has tried to make the word "okay to use."

The book is about two friends who have a big love for hip hop. Leila wants to be the first Latina female to make it big in an industry dominated buy males. Cassie also wants to be a big name in hip hop, and the two initially form a female duo called Sabrina Steelo and Fatal Beauty. Cassie stabs Leila in the back and signs with Explicit content. Not only does she sign with Explicit content, she takes all the money out of their account, leaving Leila with nothing. Cassie tries to figure out what she will do next after Leila's deception. Cassie ends up signing with Explicit Content as a solo act, but the longer she is with the label the more she finds out some deceptive shady, underhanded things about being in the industry. Cassie figures out that Explicit Content is not only a record label, but the label is used for some shady business dealings as well. Leila is in trouble and Cassie is trying to figure out how to help her old friend without messing up her own career.

This book will really wake you up to some aspects of the Hip Hop industry, and you will realize it's not quite as glamorous as people make it seem. This industry can rob you of your soul if you let it. Hip hop is not just about the music, and the glitz or glamour. It's about drugs, violence, and the women who become victims of Hip Hops web. There was one line in the book that really grabbed me. When you are done reading this book, you will feel for Cassie and Lelia, and other characters will make your blood boil.

This was an interesting book.

As a person who doesn't take or use hip hop beyond the slam of my car door, the occasional rest on BET when channel surfing, and the occasional hook to reign in the attentions of the adolescence I come in contact with, Black Artemis has gained my attention with Explicit Content.

Leila and Cassie are best friends with a dream of making it big in hip hop. Leila , the wild child Latina, is approached by the super producer of Explicit Content G Double D, to go solo. She jumps at the chance leaving her friend Cassie, more grounded Black girl, high and dry. Cassie, feeling betrayed, decides to still pursue her thang, albeit a bit differently. After a hip hop contest she confronts G Double D asking why he didn't want her. After hearing what he had to say she decided to do it on her own. However a few days later the same producer steps up and offers a deal too good to turn down and manages to pull her into the Explicit Content family. Once she's in she realizes music ain't the only thing she has to be down for.

Following the story of Cassie and Leila had this sista up at 3:00 a.m. finishing the book and writing this review. As I read I kept telling myself, "I am going to pass this onto the teens in my make shift book club in my Sunday school class. ( Well at least the older ones!)"

Along with some interesting insight into hip hop culture its just a damn good story that moves well, that is smart, and sucks you in. Written with real hip hop vernacular and accented with actual rhyme, Explicit Content is everything one would imagine a good hip hop novel to be.


Kotanya
APOOO BookClub

Cassandra and Leila have been blowing up the club scene with their rhymes as Sabrina Steelo and Fatal Beauty. When it looks like they will finally get that big break they have been waiting for they find themselves torn apart.
Whe G Double D only signs Leila( Fatal Beauty) to the Explicit Content label Cassandra feels burned by Leila but not for long. When G Double D decides he wants Cassandra as well.
Once inside Explicit Content, Cassandra finds things are not at all as they seem and that Leila is in trouble.
Black Artemis puts some serious flavah in your ear with this Hip-Hop debut.
The book focuses on the girl's friendship and their differences. One being Black and one being Latina and the importance of family. She takes you inside the hip hop industry and into a Rap label full of false promises, shady deals and broken dreams.
This is Hip-Hop fiction to the fullest. You won't want to miss a beat of this stunning debut.
reviewed by:
Dawnny

Wow! Where do I begin? Being several generations removed from
the hip-hop scene, I've never afforded myself the opportunity
to appreciate or even understand the genre. With mild trepidation
I began reading EXPLICIT CONTENT, the story of two young ladies
from the Bronx with mad aspiration to become major hip-hoppers.

Cassandra Rivers and Leila Aponte fought their way into a
friendship and parlayed that friendship into a hip-hop duo known
as Sabrina Steelo and Fatal Beauty. But, when G-Double-D, the CEO
of the gangsta rap label, Explicit Content, seduces Leila with
promises of solo stardom, she falls for it hook, verse, and sample
and leaves Cassie hanging. Cassie swallows the hurt from Leila's
betrayal and goes solo herself; after all she is the one with
the skills. In a short time, Cassie's determination captures the
attention of Double-D and he offers her a recording deal. Cassie
has to decide how much she is willing to risk for stardom; Double-D
has secrets, big secrets, and Leila is in danger. In spite of the
tension between them, Cassie is worried about Leila, but she doesn't
want to jeopradize her own career or get caught in the middle of
Explicit Content's drama.

Black Artemis, a hip-hop activist, writer and speaker has penned
more than a story about rappers. She has written a bonafide,
unpretentious classic about the lives of a generation caught in
a musical upheaval. This is an intense story about friendship,
loyalty, and the too high price to `make it'. The writing is
frank, hip and genuine; Ms. Artemis does not gloss over any aspect
of the music, the genre, or the people. About half-way through the
book, I started to understand the use of a jargon and the need for
an attitude exclusive to the craft. I walked away from EXPLICIT
CONTENT with a different awareness and yes, even an appreciation
for the sub-culture and for the economic aspect surrounding the
phenomenon of HIP-HOP. This is a mad introduction for a first
published book. (RAWSISTAZ Rating: 4.5)

Reviewed by aNN
of The RAWSISTAZ™Reviewers

Bought this book on Friday, Never put it down til early Saturday Morning. Such compeling hard gritty truth !

I thought this book was absolubtly "wonderfull"!
As a former resident of Harlem during AZ's reign, I can assure you of the accuracy of this well written, informative book. I laughed, I cried, I felt fear, and I celebrated, as I was entertained. I believe this book should be a required text of all schools; for it is a lesson that both teachers, and students can benefit from. I applaued AZ for his candid accounts, and his chosen co/author (Agyei Tyehimba). This Authors abilities breathed litterary life into a story now not soon to be forgotten. I look forward to Mr. Tyehimba's next projects, and Az's future accomplishments. Wishing you both continued success... Mochabreez

THIS AUTHOR HAS BEEN THROUGH HELL AND BACK, WHAT WITH THE LOSS OF SO MANY FRIENDS AND LOVED ONES!!!! I AM SO VERY PROUD OF THE FACT THAT YOU ARE NOT GLORIFYING YOUR FORMER LIFE,BUT YOU ARE UPLIFTING YOUR FAITH AND I APPLAUD YOU FOR THAT!!!!!I REALIZE IT PROBABLY TOOK A LOT TO DIVULGE ALL THE INFORMATION THAT YOU DID,RELIVING THE PAIN OF THE DEATHS, THE ATTEMPT OF YOUR OWN LIFE,AS WELL AS HAVING THE COURAGE TO LEAVE THE FAST MONEY BEHIND AS YOU'VE SAID IT'S VERY ADDICTIVE!!!! A COPY OF THIS BOOK SHOULD BE GIVEN TO ALL OUR STREET VENDORS,I'M SURE SOME OF THEM NEED TO BE ENLIGHTENED AS WELL!!!!!

This book was excellent and should be passed out at every juvenile system and prison. I wish I had read this book before my son turned 20 and moved out. I would have made him read it and right me a full report about! I have a younger son and it will be a must read in a couple more years!
Thank you for sharing and writing a powerful and enlightening book.

This book tells it like it was. I grew up in the Drew-Hamilton Projects. I remember Donald "L.A." Johnson very well. One of the most charismatic dealers I ever saw. Handsome, suave all that. But, like so many young people in my 'hood, he was killed. That's the way it was. Literally hundreds of kids died in that area, all violently and mostly due to the drug trade. It was very sad to see. What a powerful book.