Rating: 
Summary: I rate it 6 out of 5 stars! A must-read!!!
Review: Of all the Hip Hop related works that I've read (and that's many), none can reach the insightful level of Nelson Georges's "Hip Hop America", which not only covers the history of the culture, but more importantly, delivers the sociological aspects of it, explaining not only "when", but also "how" and "why". It made me an instant fan of Nelson George. It's a very informative, sincere and to some extent analytical book, with plenty of facts and informations and first-hand experiences from the man "who has not only witnessed the evolution of hip-hop, but who. . . has had a hand in shaping it, as well." (The New York Times Book Review).
I could really write a long review for this great book, but I'll probably do that after my second reading, which starts NOW!
Rating:
Summary: I rate it 6 out of 5 stars! A must-read!!!
Review: Of all the Hip Hop related works that I've read (and that's many), none can reach the insightful level of Nelson Georges's "Hip Hop America", which not only covers the history of the culture, but more importantly, delivers the sociological aspects of it, explaining not only "when", but also "how" and "why". It made me an instant fan of Nelson George. It's a very informative, sincere and to some extent analytical book, with plenty of facts and informations and first-hand experiences from the man "who has not only witnessed the evolution of hip-hop, but who. . . has had a hand in shaping it, as well." (The New York Times Book Review).
I could really write a long review for this great book, but I'll probably do that after my second reading, which starts NOW!
Rating: 
Summary: Cool....if you know nothing about hiphop
Review: OK, here's the problem in a nutshell.If you know nothing about hiphop, this book is a winner because it gives good historical overviews on many issues. If you are an aficianado, then you will be looking for some in-depth analysis. In this book, there is none of that. It seems like George is making an attempt to keep the book short and does not making any hard-hitting or unique analyses. Extend this, and then he'll possibly make an impact.
Rating:
Summary: An Intellectual Analysis From a B-Boy's Point of View
Review: One of America's foremost hip-hop journalists, this book is essential to understanding both the positives and negatives of hip-hop music in both its past and present forms. George displays an excellent knowledge of both street and music industry politics in discussing a musical genre all too commonly lacking enough intellectualism. Understandable for everyone from the button down white collar worker of Wall Street to the average street thug, this book is recommended reading for both those knowledgable with hip-hop and those who are not.
Rating:
Summary: Brilliant review of hip hop and black culture in America
Review: This book is as good as anything I've read about hip hop culture in America, and how it weaves into other elements of African-American culture: basketball, feminism, the ghetto, racism, the drug wars, and more. It's extremely interesting and detailed in its close look at the way key trends in hip hop have unfolded since its founding -- the key players etc. Intelligent and thoughtful. If you are interested in contemporary music, hip hop is *the* major creative force of the last 20 years. This book is the key text. Too much writing out there is very ephemeral on this subject, about the latest hot act; this is the reference. Search Google for a longer review I wrote on postconsumer dot com with the terms "george nelson hip hop america amol sarva". I can't fit it in here.
Rating: 
Summary: Lets an outsider step in
Review: Until I read this book, I was never much on hip-hop. Reason being: I didn't understand it. This book answered all those lingering questions that always kept me from either liking or, failing that, appreciating it as both a genre and a cultural force. From the origins of hip hop to the current state of events, this book covers it all. Would have given it 5, but the book sometimes seems to linger on certain aspects of the genre overmuch, throwing off the balance of the history being told. Nevertheless, this doesn't ruin the book, and it may just be I'm not one for lengthy asides on certain aspects of subject matter. In any event, worth your $, and a great eye-opener in the "what you always wanted to know, but had no idea who to ask" category.
Rating:
Summary: Lets an outsider step in
Review: Until I read this book, I was never much on hip-hop. Reason being: I didn't understand it. This book answered all those lingering questions that always kept me from either liking or, failing that, appreciating it as both a genre and a cultural force. From the origins of hip hop to the current state of events, this book covers it all. Would have given it 5, but the book sometimes seems to linger on certain aspects of the genre overmuch, throwing off the balance of the history being told. Nevertheless, this doesn't ruin the book, and it may just be I'm not one for lengthy asides on certain aspects of subject matter. In any event, worth your $, and a great eye-opener in the "what you always wanted to know, but had no idea who to ask" category.
Rating:
Summary: A lot of memories and some intersting views
Review: Wow! reading this book and reflecting back on much of the culture brought up from back in the days really had me feelin' this book. Although I didn't agree with all of the authors views in this book, he did bring some insight and depth to some things I really never thought of. As a whole this book was great...everything from graffiti to music buisness to hip hop moguls to politics...for real...read this book.
Rating:
Summary: Yo Yo Yo, Everyone Should Be Chillin With This One!
Review: Y'all this book is the dope! Can't tell me that my man Nelson didn't turn this one out. If nothin' else, check this one out for the history. Might not be all you want to know.. but it all fits together like the piece of a puzzle--and this is a very strong piece. And I also want to alert my peeps to a book called PSEUDO COOL. Like HIP HOP AMERICA it is also a good one for our people to read to acknowledge our past, our present, and what's up for us in the future. Check it out, y'all. Peace Out.
Rating:
Summary: My man from Ventura County.
Review: Yo, yo, yo!!! Chill Ventura county boy. You learn that urban lingo from the mean streets of Thousand Oaks? I'm probably correct in guessing that you are from either Camarillo, Newbary Park, or Thousand Oaks right? Because those are the only nuckle heads who will claim they are from Ventura County so they sound hard. People from Oxanrd and Ventura will claim that straight up because those places have earned their reputation. Easy Vanilla Ice. I'm orginally from Camarillo and I do not have to act like a stupid gangsta kid to try to be hard. And stop acting like a fool in the Thousand Oaks mall. You just make it tougher on all the other teen age kids that have respect for others. This book Hip Hop America is extremely insightful into a culture and/or movement that is currently shaping America today. But you don't have to sound like some retard to express that. So let me give a shoot out to all your "peeps" cruzin' Thousand Oaks Blvd, to keep it real in the sub burbs. Peace in the Middle East. I'm outtie 5,000!
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