Rating: 
Summary: Smart and insightful
Review: As an "old-schooler" who's not always crazy about the music (harder stuff anyway) but appreciate the generationality of it all, George has written a no-bs history of a still-evolving music/culture that's here to stay. It's lively with some great behind-the-scene stories and a lot of history. And, it's NOT dry or dull. It's a must read for any "new-schooler" and any one with an open mind, regardless of age. He's respectful, opinionated and thorough... yet objectively critical. That's the way the story of rap/hip-hop SHOULD be told.
Rating: 
Summary: Great History Lesson
Review: Despite a leftist slant on American society, Nelson George does a superb job of informing us about the ins and outs of Hip Hop's influence and growth. Where I lacked the facts, he supplied and then over supplied them. I have definately left his book with more insight into the people and the music than I had inteded. As well, I am driven to share with the would be reader that Nelson George is as skilled a writer as he is a historian. This book was a delight to read.
Rating: 
Summary: A chronicle of how a genre influenced young america
Review: For anyone wondering why hip-hop has outlasted other music genres such as punk rock, one should look no further than "Hip Hop America" I feel that this book is a definitive history of where this music/cultural movement has been, and a small hint of where it's going. Nelson George examines the connections between hip-hop and it's counterparts in "mainstream" culture(as in his previous effort, "Elevating the Game: Black Men and Basketball")from a ardent fan's perspetive. My only criticism is that its that George is so intimate with the subject that it keeps him from adopting the proper balance that is a must for any journalist of his stature. Despite its sometimes aggravating faults, this is a book that I highly reccomend for hip-hop novices and veterans alike.
Rating:
Summary: A chronicle of how a genre influenced young america
Review: For anyone wondering why hip-hop has outlasted other music genres such as punk rock, one should look no further than "Hip Hop America" I feel that this book is a definitive history of where this music/cultural movement has been, and a small hint of where it's going. Nelson George examines the connections between hip-hop and it's counterparts in "mainstream" culture(as in his previous effort, "Elevating the Game: Black Men and Basketball")from a ardent fan's perspetive. My only criticism is that its that George is so intimate with the subject that it keeps him from adopting the proper balance that is a must for any journalist of his stature. Despite its sometimes aggravating faults, this is a book that I highly reccomend for hip-hop novices and veterans alike.
Rating: 
Summary: Yet another watered-down Nelson George book
Review: For years, Nelson George has been considered the "safe" face of hip-hop writing. His spineless book Hip-Hop America is nothing but a bad imitation of authors like Ronin Ro. George's book is nothing but slapped-together articles that cheerfully say nothing but, "Gee, hip-hop is reaching middle America today!" This was said years ago by more talented younger writers. George is an old coot whose last two novels stank, a docile writer who ran back to the rap genre he abandoned-- only after it became obvious that his sappy romance novels wouldn't sell. If you want a book on the history and impact of hip-hop culture, don't buy this. All Hip-Hop America focuses on is the MTV-approved face of rap, not the true story.
Rating:
Summary: To the reader from Ventura County
Review: Great. Keep it up. You are clearly segregating humans. "My peeps." What is this? An elite club?Think more about contributing to society, not just seperating society into "us" and "them" or "my peeps." Remember when the darker skinned man got upset by "those people" and "you people?"
Rating:
Summary: Hip Hop America is the most interesting book I've ever read
Review: Hip Hop America was a great book. I think every hip hop head and b-boy should read it. I think people who don't, but would like to understand hip hop should read it. Personaly, it helped me understand REAL hip hop better.
Rating:
Summary: Thorough, exciting and involving.
Review: I am one of those people who claim to be a hip hop fan, but being only 22 years of age, and British, I can hardly say that I was around 'back in the day'. I felt that I owed it to myself to do some research into the subject so I was extremely happy to come across this book. Nelson George had interested me since I saw him on a Channel 4 hip hop documentary. After reading the book I'm still not a font of all rap knowledge, but I am onsiderably more learned in one of my favourite styles of music. It is obvious that Nelson loves hip hop more than anything else. The book is written with power and insight, as well as emotion. This emotion can sometimes blur the facts, but this is bound to happen in a book written by someone who is so close to their subject matter. The only real criticism I could level at the book is that it tails off a bit at the end, it doesn't really end with a bang. Then again, there is no real end to the story seeing as how rap is still thriving and reinventing itself. Maybe it's best to see this book as an extract, plucked from the movement at particular moments in time. And, looked at in this way, this book is a wortrhwhile read for anyone remotely interested in hip hop music. It is an absolutely essential purchase for people out there who believe that rap music begins and ends with Eminem and Tupac.
Rating:
Summary: This book is great.
Review: I bought this Book two days ago and i can't put it down. It's really good!! A reader from Brooklyn N.Y.
Rating:
Summary: A new Nelson George fan
Review: I read Hip Hop America. Not because I had ever heard of Nelson George or heard of his credits. Because I saw it, flipped a few pages and decided to read it. I loved it. I have been listening to hip hop music since the first time i spun Schooly D's PSK track. And Nelson George hits the nail on the head. he covers almost everything i could have wanted, although I would have liked more coverage on Tribe Called Quest and De La Sould as opposed to so much NWA material. What I liked best is how George is neither a critic or a fan (excluding PE of course). He's just an inside observer. He doesnt take many bias opinions, he just presents them. And the way he picks on not only hip hop culture, but things that affected hip hop and what hip hop has affected. Examples are Blaxploitation movies and Basketball in the 80's and 90's. If anyone is a smart hip hop fan then I recommend this book. I'm not talking about people who buy whatever is cool now (if you have a puff daddy album or a bel biv devoe album but dont listen to it anymore than i dont recommend this book), I'm talking straight up real hip hop fans. I also dont recommend this book for people who are trying to learn about hip hop. its gonna be like a foreign language. so give this book a try
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