Rating: 
Summary: An awful and hateful book.
Review: If you have any amount of decency, this book is not for you. This is a character asassination piece. If you are pre-disposed to hate Jesse Jackson then I whole-heartedly reccomend this as an entertaining read, but for those of us who think that, in the very least, he has done some good in his years of leadership, this book is a waste of time.There are many other books that paint a more accurate picture of Jackson--books that portray the good and the bad, and not just the bad. Jackson is indeed a very flawed character, but he is by no means the vindictive, evil man that is portrayed in this book. Jackson is also a controversial figure who is the subject of much crticism, but he is also a leader and a person that hundereds of thousands of people look up to. It is important to understand both sides of the story, not just the negative that is portrayed in "Shakedown". If you would like to read a real biography of Jackson--one that is not afraid to criticize him, but also portrays him fairly--check out JESSE JACKSON: A BIOGRAPHY by Marshall Frady.
Rating: 
Summary: The book's truth and some African American's ignorance
Review: This book is fully opinionated by Mr. Timmerman but is backed up heavily with proven facts. Hey, it's his book, he'll say what he wants. If you dont like it write your own Jesse Jackson expose and see if it goes anywhere. Furthermore some blacks in this country are ignorant about Mr. Jackson just because he is black. Well think of it this way...if he did boycot one of America's large corporate companies such as Burger king...which he has tried...thousands of young African Americans who are 16 and 17 who need the job would be fired. Good Work Jesse, work against your own people. I am just amazed to see a select group of blacks defending this guy, he is not spiritual, he's a crook-for both blacks and whites. Maybe if one of these Black Panthers, or Black Panther wannabes actually read the whole 500 pages they would change their minds, but i doubt it. This select group of blacks will fall behind on the social scale of America, and that is something to be ashamed of when created by yourself. Anyhows, READ THE BOOK...ITS GOOD...REALLY
Rating:
Summary: Shakedown : An Appropriate Title
Review: The author shows that Jesse Jackson has a well- refined scheme of shaking down corporations just by the suggestion or threat of a boycott. He also documents that in most instances the result of such shakedown was mainly for the benefit of Jackson and his organizations such as PUSH and very little benefit for the common black person. According to the author, Jackson is a preacher with low moral values (though not the first one I assume). He also paints Jackson as a politician with his greatest concern being for his own welfare (he may not be the only politician in this category). A great deal of space is devoted to tagging Jackson with guilt by association. The primary example is his half brother, Noah Robinson. This seems to be done however, to show a connection to a Chicago gang. Noah Robinson is apparently not a person you would want to use as a reference on a resume`. There is some discussion of Jackson's meddling in foreign policy including a visit with Castro in Cuba. Clinton also appointed him as Envoy to Africa to promote democracy there. The author maintains that he used these opportunities to also promote business interests of he and his friends. Though Jesse Jackson has quite a following, not all blacks are pleased with him. The author tells of a black person named Peterson who grew up in Alabama and has started an annual day for the Repudiation of Jesse Jackson. He has done this on Martin Luther Kings' birthday to illustrate the difference between what he calls King's dream and Jackson's nightmare. Finally, Jackson did not miss out on the Clinton pardon fiasco. He was able to obtain some last minute pardons but was unsuccessful on behalf of his half brother, Noah Robinson. The book was interesting but I did not find it to be easy reading because of much detail in places..
Rating:
Summary: Just What I Thought...
Review: Only now it's confirmed... from Jackson's own mouth!
He's a sleazy scavenger of human misery who has strong-armed his way to the forefront of black politics.
I feel sorry for his victims; naive black citizens who really believe that Jesse Jackson has their best interests at heart.
I feel anger because of the political, judicial and social kowtowing that has allowed someone this amoral and greedy to operate his criminal enterprises for so long. Shame on you Jesse.
Rating:
Summary: Disturbing and depressing
Review: I admire the author for writing this book, given Jackson's penchant for going after anyone who writes or speaks ill of him. It occurs to me that Timmerman waited until the climate was right to publish it (Jackson's credibility has taken a serious hit after the well-publicized extra-marital affair and the out-of-wedlock child), and perhaps he would have feared retribution in the past. But only he knows for sure. That said, this book is carefully-researched and likely as authentic as anything written about the subject--there are miles of footnotes and explanations which lead one to that conclusion. It's a slow and sometimes tedious read, and it's repetitive after a while...Jackson apparently realized early on that fanning the flames of racial division was the route to fame, fortune and power. The stakes grew over the years, but the modus operandi has largely remained the same--offering "protection" from racial strife to businesses and organizations in exchange for "donations," while talking loud and proud and making grandiose but extremely vague promises about improving the lives of the poverty-stricken and downtrodden. Is it extortion? You decide. Is he getting a free ride from the I.R.S. because they fear his wrath? You decide. A final point: I'd just finished this book when the alleged brutality on the part of the Los Angeles Police Department was all over the news, and there was Reverend Jackson in front of the cameras. After reading the book, I have no doubt that Jackson's sole focus for being there was profiting from the situation in some way.
Rating: 
Summary: Shake Down's No Shake Up
Review: This is nothing new. Perhaps the author should have wrote about lessor known "activists." who are far more malevolent, biased and even dangerous than the sleazy reverend.
Rating: 
Summary: Solid story of sad shakedown
Review: Timmerman's title says it all. A once-noble calling -- working to gain and to protect the civil rights of all people -- has descended to a recurring, tawdry scheme of black- and greenmail. Timmerman catalogs with almost mind-numbing detail the faults, frauds and fancies of a man many of us had been raised to respect. Former friends of Jackson and the public record provide a solid base of evidence for Timmerman's expose. From Jackson's April 1968 moment holding the dying Martin Luther King (Oops! That wasn't really true), to his early calling to the ministry (and departure almost immediately thereafter, well short of his degree), to his moral character (Oops, wrong again; that is, unless you follow the Bill Clinton model), it becomes obvious that Jesse Jackson has made a great living for himself and his family and friends out of "helping others". This is a sad, complex, well-documented, painful tale. The real villians, beyond the gang members and Jackson's other convicted friends, are the media, political and corporate elite who have fallen for and furthered Jackson's self-interests. Only T. J. Rodgers seems willing to stand up to Jackson's polite if unguarded threats. The victims are those who really need help and who trust(ed) Jackson. And many stockholders and much of the American public. When people confuse wealth and income, this is a good case of how the two differ. Jackson has wealth but never seems to have much of an income. For a man who claims little income and modest needs, he has accumulated for himself and his family wealth most people would associate with years of honest labor or creative genius. Jackson has found a way to obtain that wealth with a new definition of "genius".
Rating:
Summary: Can we all just get along? Not if "Rev" Jackson has his way.
Review: I am not going to comment on Civil Rights and Racial Equality beyond saying that we have come a long way, but still have far to go. What makes the road to a truly color blind nation so difficult to navigate are the highwaymen looking to fill their pockets that bar our path. This book is not about Civil Rights or the real battle for equality. This is about a single man who saw an opportunity to become rich and powerful and let nothing, including the ideals he claims to represent, get in his way. Timmerman is a respected journalist with very impressive credentials. I find it hard to believe that any allegations raised against "Rev" Jackson in this tome are groundless. That having been said, if even half of what is charged is true this man belongs in jail. Jackson has grown rich with no verifiable source of income. He claims to have been there when Martin Luther King Jr. was killed and has been proven to have lied. His work to level the playing field for minorities is comprised chiefly of suing companies that he feels are not doing what they should to hire and promote minorities. On the surface this seems commendable. Forcing these same companies to settle out of court and hire friends of his as consultants who then re-circulate large amounts of money to him through "donations"? That's where we start running into words like; reprehensible, immoral, unethical and criminal. Lastly, for anyone wondering why I am putting quotes around the title "Rev." it is because Mr. Jackson never graduated or completed any of the works required to actually earn the title. To be fair, he is officially a Reverend now; Through an honorary degree. This book opened my eyes. I hope it can do the same for a lot of people out there who used to believe in this man.
Rating:
Summary: Great Information, Good Read
Review: This book was full of great information. It is amazing that Jesse Jackson is still walking the streets. If he were a white man he would long since have been locked up in a Federal prison like his half-brother Noah Robinson and Gang buddy Jeff Fort. Only thing I didn't like about the book is the author has a tendency in some areas to jump from subject to subject somewhat erratically. Otherwise, a great book, definitely recommended.
Rating:
Summary: I've read what everyone else has written about this book
Review: To tell you the truth, once you read this review you have no need to read the remaining 80 reviews after mine. I have taken the time to read them all and I find that this book is factual and well written. Those who would say otherwise are jealous and don't want to open their eyes to see the world around them. I have many black friends and they are normal, successful and wonderful people. Then every once in a while you run across those who have been indoctrinated by Jesse Jackson or his following who feel sorry for themselves and think they ought to have equal rights. They do! Just just don't use them like they should. Jesse Jackson doesn't care about people, or the racial mess he has produced in America. Jesse Jackson cares about Jesse Jackson.
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