Want a NOOK? Explore Now
Donald Goines was a pimp, truck driver, heroin addict, factory worker, and career criminal. He was also one of the most popular Black contemporary writers having published sixteen novels, including Whoreson, Dopefiend, and Daddy Cool. Goines's unique brand of "street narrative" and "ghetto realism" mark him as the original street writer. Now, in the first in-depth biography of Goines's life, author Eddie B. Allen, Jr. explores exactly how one man made the transition from street hustler to bestselling author. With exclusive access to personal letters, treatments from unwritten books, photographs, and family members, Allen uncovers Goines's experiences with drugs, prostitutes, prison, and urban violence. Fans of Goines’s novels will note a dramatic parallelism between his life and fictional tales.
"In an in-depth biography of the original street-fiction author, Donald Goines, Allen examines the life of the late author who influenced all your favorite rappers."—The Source
"Allen illuminates the life and writings of arguably the most influential chronicler of black urban life in the post-World War II era. Goines' legacy is maintained by a hip-hop generation that is just as invisible and ignored. Eddie B. Allen J...thankfully brings that legacy into even sharper focus."—AOL BlackVoices
"For readers who are looking for the definitive story of Donald Goines's life, a wonderful addition to their bookshelves about black popular culture and its icons, and simply, a great read, this is the book." —Black Issues Book Review
| Acknowledgments | vii | |
| Foreword | ix | |
| Preface | xi | |
| Prelude: Death in Retrospect | 1 | |
| Maturing | 3 | |
| War | 21 | |
| Dope Fiend | 39 | |
| Cash and Bitches | 55 | |
| The Joint | 83 | |
| Publisher | 103 | |
| West Coast | 121 | |
| Prodigal Son | 149 | |
| Legacy: An Epilogue | 173 | |
| Notes on Sources | 201 |
Anonymous
Posted October 6, 2004
Tortured Genius. To me, that¿s what this cat was. Eddie Allen Jr¿s book revealed more about the man and the events of his time as well as any other biography about another public figure. Surprisingly, or maybe not to some, Goines grew up in a stable household in which his father owned and operated his own business with the help of his supportive wife. There is no mention of drug use by his parents or other siblings while he grew up. It makes his story even more complicated, and makes people wonder as to why he chose the route he took. Allen takes us back to the turbulent times of the early 20th century and the events that took place, not only in the city of Detroit, but the country as a whole. He drew some interesting parallels, including one that links Goines¿ father and Joe Louis as buddies during Lewis¿ reign as champion of the world. That one aspect of Allen¿s work re-affirmed to me it is a small world indeed. Allen continues as he tells readers about Goines becoming a pimp, bootlegger, and later, being arrested and locked behind bars. He also tells plenty about Goines¿ increasingly dangerous habit of heroin, which he even displays to his younger sister, all the while, warning her if he ever caught her doing what he was showing her, he would kill her. It was a frightening and hypocritical display, but nonetheless, it most likely proved effective. Allen goes on to tell about Goines picking up the works of Iceberg Slim, and forming his own stories using Slim¿s as a blueprint, so to speak. Throughout the book, Allen provides plenty of documentation and other sources to prove this is indeed a work of authenticity, including a piece Goines wrote one year before his death entitled, ¿Private Thoughts on a Lonely Sunday, September 1, 1973.¿ Allen also lets us know about Goines¿ inner struggle with his addiction, and how desperately he wanted to ¿kick¿ the habit out of his life. In the end, his struggles and other wrongdoings in the past came back to haunt him. Allen did a terrific job in not turning this into a sob story. Donald Goines was no saint, but he is admired by many, such as myself, for telling his own stories, his own life, using his imagination, and telling stories from the heart in the most vivid, brutal, harsh, but also heart-felt fashion.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted November 28, 2006
It took a long time for someone to write a definitive book on the enigmatic Mr. Goines. Eddie B. Allen Jr. has definitely hit a home run if not a grand slam. While the book did not clear up the reason for Mr. Goines'untimely death it did shed some much needed light on the subject. While the killer (s) were never found or really sought after (think TuPac & Biggy) in my mind Donald has finally been put to rest. RIP at last.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted March 18, 2005
DONALD GOINES WAS A MAN WHO TOLD IT LIKE IT WAS, DEALING WITH REAL LIFE ISSUES ESPECIALLY HIS. I HAVE ALL HIS BOOKS, I ENCOURAGE ALL MEN TO READ AND LEARN FROM HIS EXPERIENCES.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted March 8, 2005
IM 32 AN I GOT THE WHOLE DONALD GOINES COLLECTION AN ITS A WONDREFUL WALK THROUGH TO THE LONG ROAD OF THE STREETS . IT MAKES ME THINK OF HOW HARD BLACK PEOPLE HAD IT BACK THEN AN STILL LIVES ON TODAY. TO THE GOINES FAMILY GOD BLESS YOU ALL
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted January 10, 2005
This author captures the tragic reality of Donald Goines' life in graphic detail. Coming from a background of hard working, self-made entrepreneurs, Goines indeed took the 'Low Road' and opted for the street life. The riots of 1967 gripped Detroit like an iron fist. I was pretty young at the time, and until reading this book had little knowledge as to what really happened. I remembered only being afraid because 'the riots' were coming. I expected to learn about Donald Goines, the hustler, the pimp, and the writer, but to be educated about a part of Detroit history was a welcome surprise. Through this author I was able to revisit that scary time, but through an adults eyes. Amazing research.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted May 17, 2010
No text was provided for this review.
Overview
Donald Goines was a pimp, truck driver, heroin addict, factory worker, and career criminal. He was also one of the most popular Black contemporary writers having published sixteen novels, including Whoreson, Dopefiend, and Daddy Cool. Goines's unique brand of "street narrative" and "ghetto realism" mark him as the original street writer. Now, in the first in-depth biography of Goines's life, author Eddie B. Allen, Jr. explores exactly how one man made the transition from street hustler to bestselling author. With...