Rating: 
Summary: ShrinkwhogotShrunk
Review: This is a classic in the same way Mobe Dick or Siddhartha is. I mean Slim accepted his hand in life without complaint, and masterfully played the cards in it -- which is saying a lot given the times of his Pimpdom. No,I'm not glamozing his life-style (as much of the content is highly disturbing), but merely pointing out the context of the times and how they might have impacted (if not criminalized) what appears to be an otherwise brilliant businessman. Instead of apologizing for his position in society, he presents a compelling and comprehensive perspective on many of the psycho-social and historical factors that lead him -- and doubtlessly many other African Ameericans -- down this dismal path. At the same time, Slim demonstrates an impressive command of the English language, intellectual prowress, philisophical breadth and tenacity. This story made me wonder how much African genuius was denied opportunity by the inherent cruelty of Jim Crow. An African American Psychologist
Rating:
Summary: grabs you by the cojones and never lets go!
Review: Gripping. Was unable to put it down once I started. Eyes were aching by the time I finished. To be sure, some of the material here is hard to take, but Slim had such a raw way of telling his tale and it makes so many other so-called writers (the slick, smooth darlings of the East Coast publishing houses) tame by comparison--and all by a guy who was self-taught and "educated" by the streets. University of Hard Knocks. That's where your best writers come from. Read Clarence Cooper, Jr., Donald Goines, Chester Himes, Charles Bukowski, Kirk Alex, Eddie Bunker, Nelson Algren, et al.
Pimp will leave you stunned.
Rating: 
Summary: The original, the best
Review: This is a very quick read. Iceberg Slim is a good writer and really get's you immersed. This is alternately described as fiction and non-fiction. After reading it, I can see why. I'm sure it is the author's real story of his life, and a view into his world. On the other hand, as a pimp, he has a pension for exaggeration. In some passages, you start to question if what he's saying is really possible. I think that's the reason the book contains the little disclaimer about it being a work of fiction. Nonetheless, it is a fascinating glimpse into the psychology of pimps and prostitutes and surprisingly informative. The slang is from the 20's and 30's and kind of hard to understand sometimes, but the book includes a handy glossary. Pimp is both a page turner, and a significant work. I'd highly recommend it.
Rating:
Summary: Robert Beck is incredibly articulate and passionate.
Review: The author is quite descriptive. He paints not only the story but the enviroment and feelings in a manner that puts you there with him as he's telling the story. Someone told me that they learned a lot about women from reading this book. I'll agree! Some negative but some positive. It did reflect various types of women, their different reactions to the same situations, and his mind set and persuasive tactics toward women. I'd recommend it to anyone who needs to be brought down to earth for a bit of reality.
Rating:
Summary: Wicked
Review: Like many others, the minute I picked this one up I could'nt put it down. It was absolutely fascinating to read, however, I have given it only 4 because I have serious doubts as to whether it is a work of fiction or not. Either way it's brilliant but it would be better if I thought it was 100% true. My doubts began to rise with the jailbreak. Excellent and gritty representation of an underworld culture someone such as myself (in London U.K) would never had dreamed of in their wildest dreams...or nightmares.
Rating:
Summary: A vivid tale of struggle, pain, and personal growth
Review: Pimp is a unique look into a dark world that not many people get to see and much less relate to. Robert Beck takes the reader on a journey to witness his captivating transgression from an abused and emotionally scarred child into a misogynistic money hungry beast. Poverty, prison, a missing role model, and the general feeling of hopelessness commonplace in the ghetto made Beck a product of his environment. One which surrounded him by nefarious individuals who also contributed in molding this young man into the now infamous, Iceberg Slim. These factors result into a sad and disturbing premise for Beck's story. Although I must say that once you read it for yourself, you will no longer be surprised that he ended up the way he did. What will surprise you was the way he somehow managed to muster the strength to rise above this squalid lifestyle. Beck has a knack for graphic detail and uses ample doses of it throughout. He is apparently a brutally honest person who was no objections telling you about the pimp game from his uncensored perspective. Not necessarily to glamorize this sort of life; he just refuses to pull punches. And personally, I can appreciate this sort of 'realness.' The dialogue and descriptions are peppered with pimp slang that sometimes is confusing and gives the impression that he is writing in a different language. Thankfully, Beck includes a glossary (which is quite amusing in itself) for some of these more obscure terms. But this did very little to detract from the message Beck was conveying. Overall I enjoyed this book thoroughly and would recommend it to nearly anybody.
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Summary: In one word....REAL!
Review: Robert Beck's astounding knowledge, and wisdom precedes him. Plainly put, he is before his time! This book does'nt only talk about pimping, it narrates the ghetto. A poor black man in a white man's world has to make money somehow....right? What better way than conforming to his surroundings? African Americans were only given one chance to survive in his time, and he took a hold of his chance with authority in this book. With wisdom and strength, he managed to break away from hardship, and wrong doing. By freeing himself of sin, he became a role model for all people on the wrong path. This book is phenomenal to say the least. A definate read.
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Summary: This is a legend, buy it if you don't own it.
Review: Top notch, nothing more to say. If you don't own it, buy it. The Student of The Game
Rating:
Summary: you cant put it down
Review: THIS BOOK RIGHT HERE IS THE BEST THING TO HIT THE BOOKSTORE. IF YOU HAVEN'T READ IT, IT'S A MUST. A FRIEND REFERRED ME TO THE BOOK AND NOW I MUST LET EVERYONE KNOW THAT THIS BOOK IS REAL. CHECKOUT THE COLDEST PIMPS TO EVER PIMP SUCH AS SWEET JONES AND ICEBERG SLIM HIMSELF. SO IF YOU'RE WONDERING IF YOU SHOULD PURCHASE THIS BOOK: GO TO YOUR POCKET GET YOUR MONEY READY AND PURCHASE A GREAT BOOK
Rating:
Summary: different players,same game
Review: First and foremost, we must understand that this novel is derived from the social and economic conditions of many decades past. Though it is a fictitious piece of work, Iceberg Slim gives us a vivid picture of ghetto life as seen through the eyes of a true to life pimp. We must understand that the ills of society such as racism and unemployment forced many blacks into this lifestyle during that era. Those who give this novel a negative review, overlook the reason for which Beck wrote the novel in the first place, which was to avoid following his self-destructive path. All in all, survival of the fittest remains to be the order of the day.
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