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Nigger: An Autobiography by Dick Gregory
Before Richard Pryor and Dave Chappel, Steve Harvey and Chris Rock, there was Dick Gregory. He was one of the first to use comedy as a tool to wake up people about the social and political ills that plague our society. In addition to being a comic, Gregory is also a Civil Rights and social activist (he marched with Dr. King), a weight-loss and nutrition guru, and entrepreneur. Nigger is his autobiography, which sold more than a million copies. This is the first time it's been made available in ebook format.
227 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 11, 2011
About the author
Dick Gregory
42 books355 followersRichard "Dick" Gregory was an American civil rights activist, social critic, writer, entrepreneur, comedian, motivational speaker, author and actor. He became the first black comedian to successfully cross over to white audiences.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
September 26, 2012
I had only read excerpts before and so it was good to read the whole autobiography. It is powerful stuff. With snippets from his life, Gregory paints a picture to show us the cruel ways poverty and racism affect those in their grip--physically of course, but also emotionally, and spiritually.
His honesty is staggering--in the personal stories of his own efforts to survive with his dignity intact--and in portraying his own weaknesses and failings, by-products of the cancer of hatred and racism he grew up with.
His amazing fortitude and work ethic helped him rise to fame and economic success, overturning the stereotype of the lazy "Negro." The moment he had money and a platform from which to do so, he waded right into the thick of the civil rights movement to try to make a difference for the future.
And he did make a difference--during his life time, and now as people continue to read his words. Reading his autobiography has taught me more about life, about history, and about the human condition, subjects every author needs to major in. Thank you, Mr. Gregory.
His honesty is staggering--in the personal stories of his own efforts to survive with his dignity intact--and in portraying his own weaknesses and failings, by-products of the cancer of hatred and racism he grew up with.
His amazing fortitude and work ethic helped him rise to fame and economic success, overturning the stereotype of the lazy "Negro." The moment he had money and a platform from which to do so, he waded right into the thick of the civil rights movement to try to make a difference for the future.
And he did make a difference--during his life time, and now as people continue to read his words. Reading his autobiography has taught me more about life, about history, and about the human condition, subjects every author needs to major in. Thank you, Mr. Gregory.
July 21, 2017
One of the best books I have read in a while. I felt like I was right there with him experiencing the same events. Definitely worth reading!!
February 4, 2026
Dick Gregory was a very influential man in American culture. He was a stand up comedian who came to prominence in the late 1950s and early 1960s. From watching clips of his standup recorded for television from this time you can see how he was the archetype for all Black male comedians (and comedians at large) that came after him. While not the first Black entertainer by any stretch of the imagination, he was one of the first to gain national acclaim and crossover with white audiences.
This autobiography is split into three sections: “Not Poor, Just Broke” which details his childhood growing up in poverty, “...and they didn’t have what I wanted” his rise to fame as a comedian, and “One Less Door” his time spent marching in the south during the Civil Rights Movement. All three of these sections are essential to understanding Dick Gregory as a person but that isn’t to say that they are written with the same focus or dedication that their subject matter deserves.
The first section details Gregory’s childhood, his time living in extreme poverty in midcentury St. Louis, his schooling and eventual time at Southern Illinois University, and his time being drafted in the army. This section ends as he leaves school with hopes of pursuing a career in stand up comedy. From early on I was conflicted with the portrayal of the narrative. Having read works from authors such as Richard Wright and James Baldwin I found the writing in this book to be quite lacking and weak.
The narrative is fast paced as the reader jumps in and out of various situations Gregory looks to highlight. Some anecdotes are more impactful than others. I think the strongest element here is showcasing Gregory’s love for his mother as she passes when he is only in his twenties from diabetic health complications. You can tell that he really loved her and wishes she could have seen him find success.
Personally, I really enjoyed reading about his history as a track runner. A personal interest of mine, I found it interesting to read about the color barrier aspects of collegiate sports of the time and how the success he found in running was his first taste of fame.
That being said, I found a lot of the rest of this section to be simplistic and tonally strange. Remembering that Dick Gregory was a comedian there are a lot of jokes in this book. There were moments that got me to laugh and I was definitely impressed with some aspects of this but other times I felt like Gregory was rehearsing standup material rather than offering a sincere reflection on his life. In typical comedian fashion, there are moments that are exaggerated for the sake of storytelling and the joke. While entertaining and enjoyable it definitely blurred the line in terms of what was fact and fiction. It felt strange to read these “tall tale” elements intermixed with the more serious aspects of Gregory’s life.
I’m conflicted on this because in one way I’m impressed that Gregory was doing something different by satirizing aspects of race and poverty but in other ways it made the stakes of what he was saying a lot lower. At a certain point you can only take Gregory at face value and his word as just that. This aspect carries over across the different sections of the book but is strongest early on.
The second section covers his rise to fame, the long hours and sacrifice he put into building his career. While enjoyable to read, I couldn’t help but think that Gregory would be considered quite conservative by today’s standards. The advice he offers and manner in which he rises to the top definitely falls into the “respectability politics” and “bootstraps” mentality that may have worked for him, in his hyperbolic depiction of it on page, but isn’t necessarily a blueprint for all young Black men looking to make it in America.
Section three was by far the most interesting and what I was initially coming to this book to read. This is the shortest section of the book, at about 50 pages, and covers his time in the Civil Rights Movement. We learn how Gregory uses his fame and prominent voice to speak and march in the south to fight segregation, how he was jailed and the sacrifices he made. This section of the book feels quite different tonally. There is less joking and more of a focus on the collective rather than just his sacrifices for personal goals. The speech in the last few pages is by far the best thing in this book.
Overall, I felt underwhelmed by this book. I picked it up thinking there would be more about the Civil Rights Movement and that I would learn something new about the time period. This book has quite a high rating, on par with the biographies of Malcolm X and MLK, but I felt it was just alright if anything.
I spent a lot of my time reading this book wondering why it was so highly acclaimed and how it became a best seller, having sold millions of copies. Initially published in 1964, I can see how this book would be more impactful at its time of release. This was the height of the Civil Rights Movement, as well as the peak of Gregory’s popularity. For as much as it masquerades as a revolutionary text it really is just a pop culture hit, no different from the surface level best seller political nonfiction books we see get praised today.
I will admit that the points in this book were a lot more revolutionary at the time but the continued success of this book leaves a bit to be desired. I can see this being a good introduction to the ideas of racial disparity but even still the writing in this book didn’t connect with me in ways I’m sure the mass appeal common man writing did for those in the 1960s.
For as revolutionary as this book leads on, it was constructed to fit the American Dream™ success story. It’s no wonder it sold well and was a hit with Black and white audiences. White America loves championing the story of one (1) extremely talented and charming Black man making it against all odds in America and Black America loves to uphold the narrative of the Talented Tenth ideology.
If anything I found the discussion of Gregory’s life most enlightening in terms of studying the phenomenon of Black celebrity. Throughout the book we see how accomplished and respected Gregory becomes in sports and entertainment but is brought back down to earth by the discriminatory practices of segregated America. The anecdote about signing an autograph for a disabled white child (however true this story actually was) really exemplifies this point. You can see parallels in Gregory’s life to Black male celebrities across generations to follow, from Mohammad Ali to OJ to Jay Z. While not the most important aspect, I do think this is an underrated element of the book, especially because it was captured on page back in 1964.
This autobiography is split into three sections: “Not Poor, Just Broke” which details his childhood growing up in poverty, “...and they didn’t have what I wanted” his rise to fame as a comedian, and “One Less Door” his time spent marching in the south during the Civil Rights Movement. All three of these sections are essential to understanding Dick Gregory as a person but that isn’t to say that they are written with the same focus or dedication that their subject matter deserves.
The first section details Gregory’s childhood, his time living in extreme poverty in midcentury St. Louis, his schooling and eventual time at Southern Illinois University, and his time being drafted in the army. This section ends as he leaves school with hopes of pursuing a career in stand up comedy. From early on I was conflicted with the portrayal of the narrative. Having read works from authors such as Richard Wright and James Baldwin I found the writing in this book to be quite lacking and weak.
The narrative is fast paced as the reader jumps in and out of various situations Gregory looks to highlight. Some anecdotes are more impactful than others. I think the strongest element here is showcasing Gregory’s love for his mother as she passes when he is only in his twenties from diabetic health complications. You can tell that he really loved her and wishes she could have seen him find success.
Personally, I really enjoyed reading about his history as a track runner. A personal interest of mine, I found it interesting to read about the color barrier aspects of collegiate sports of the time and how the success he found in running was his first taste of fame.
That being said, I found a lot of the rest of this section to be simplistic and tonally strange. Remembering that Dick Gregory was a comedian there are a lot of jokes in this book. There were moments that got me to laugh and I was definitely impressed with some aspects of this but other times I felt like Gregory was rehearsing standup material rather than offering a sincere reflection on his life. In typical comedian fashion, there are moments that are exaggerated for the sake of storytelling and the joke. While entertaining and enjoyable it definitely blurred the line in terms of what was fact and fiction. It felt strange to read these “tall tale” elements intermixed with the more serious aspects of Gregory’s life.
I’m conflicted on this because in one way I’m impressed that Gregory was doing something different by satirizing aspects of race and poverty but in other ways it made the stakes of what he was saying a lot lower. At a certain point you can only take Gregory at face value and his word as just that. This aspect carries over across the different sections of the book but is strongest early on.
The second section covers his rise to fame, the long hours and sacrifice he put into building his career. While enjoyable to read, I couldn’t help but think that Gregory would be considered quite conservative by today’s standards. The advice he offers and manner in which he rises to the top definitely falls into the “respectability politics” and “bootstraps” mentality that may have worked for him, in his hyperbolic depiction of it on page, but isn’t necessarily a blueprint for all young Black men looking to make it in America.
Section three was by far the most interesting and what I was initially coming to this book to read. This is the shortest section of the book, at about 50 pages, and covers his time in the Civil Rights Movement. We learn how Gregory uses his fame and prominent voice to speak and march in the south to fight segregation, how he was jailed and the sacrifices he made. This section of the book feels quite different tonally. There is less joking and more of a focus on the collective rather than just his sacrifices for personal goals. The speech in the last few pages is by far the best thing in this book.
Overall, I felt underwhelmed by this book. I picked it up thinking there would be more about the Civil Rights Movement and that I would learn something new about the time period. This book has quite a high rating, on par with the biographies of Malcolm X and MLK, but I felt it was just alright if anything.
I spent a lot of my time reading this book wondering why it was so highly acclaimed and how it became a best seller, having sold millions of copies. Initially published in 1964, I can see how this book would be more impactful at its time of release. This was the height of the Civil Rights Movement, as well as the peak of Gregory’s popularity. For as much as it masquerades as a revolutionary text it really is just a pop culture hit, no different from the surface level best seller political nonfiction books we see get praised today.
I will admit that the points in this book were a lot more revolutionary at the time but the continued success of this book leaves a bit to be desired. I can see this being a good introduction to the ideas of racial disparity but even still the writing in this book didn’t connect with me in ways I’m sure the mass appeal common man writing did for those in the 1960s.
For as revolutionary as this book leads on, it was constructed to fit the American Dream™ success story. It’s no wonder it sold well and was a hit with Black and white audiences. White America loves championing the story of one (1) extremely talented and charming Black man making it against all odds in America and Black America loves to uphold the narrative of the Talented Tenth ideology.
If anything I found the discussion of Gregory’s life most enlightening in terms of studying the phenomenon of Black celebrity. Throughout the book we see how accomplished and respected Gregory becomes in sports and entertainment but is brought back down to earth by the discriminatory practices of segregated America. The anecdote about signing an autograph for a disabled white child (however true this story actually was) really exemplifies this point. You can see parallels in Gregory’s life to Black male celebrities across generations to follow, from Mohammad Ali to OJ to Jay Z. While not the most important aspect, I do think this is an underrated element of the book, especially because it was captured on page back in 1964.
August 7, 2021
On my childhood bookshelves in suburban Pittsburgh, I can remember only one book by a black author: From the Back of the Bus by Dick Gregory. That's a short book, mostly jokes and pictures, which made it easy to read and as attractive to the younger me as Kids Say the Darndest Things and the Peanuts paperbacks. I'm so glad it was there, because my fond memory of how funny it was made me pick up this book.
This book is funny too, but from the cover joke ("Dear Momma--Wherever you are, if you ever hear the word "nigger" again, remember they are advertising my book."), to the insults he throws at the cops that threaten him during the early sixties, the humor is mixed with the horror of a system that wants to kill him and everyone he loves.
This is a real autobiography, and we get Gregory's simultaneous flattering and unflattering views of himself and the "monster" inside him that drives him when he wants to succeed--in track, running a nightclub, being a comic, and working for civil rights. He is painfully honest about his fear, his shame, and his good and bad behavior throughout. The real heroes to Gregory are his mother, who deals with abuse and poverty (not always helped or supported by her son) and Lil, Gregory's wife, who provides money, incredible support, and the trust that allows him to accomplish what he does. The series of scenes after are nightmarish, and I will never forget the cruelty of the calls he gets or how he shocks his wife in order to be able to return to his civil rights work.
I strongly recommend that you read this book, and remember that this sentence was written in 1964: "And now we're ready to change a system, a system where a white man can destroy a black man with a single word." The systemic change he calls for is still happening (too slowly), is still necessary, and still facing stupid resistance over 50 years later.
This book is funny too, but from the cover joke ("Dear Momma--Wherever you are, if you ever hear the word "nigger" again, remember they are advertising my book."), to the insults he throws at the cops that threaten him during the early sixties, the humor is mixed with the horror of a system that wants to kill him and everyone he loves.
This is a real autobiography, and we get Gregory's simultaneous flattering and unflattering views of himself and the "monster" inside him that drives him when he wants to succeed--in track, running a nightclub, being a comic, and working for civil rights. He is painfully honest about his fear, his shame, and his good and bad behavior throughout. The real heroes to Gregory are his mother, who deals with abuse and poverty (not always helped or supported by her son) and Lil, Gregory's wife, who provides money, incredible support, and the trust that allows him to accomplish what he does. The series of scenes after are nightmarish, and I will never forget the cruelty of the calls he gets or how he shocks his wife in order to be able to return to his civil rights work.
I strongly recommend that you read this book, and remember that this sentence was written in 1964: "And now we're ready to change a system, a system where a white man can destroy a black man with a single word." The systemic change he calls for is still happening (too slowly), is still necessary, and still facing stupid resistance over 50 years later.
December 15, 2017
I have been reading this off and on for a while, perhaps 3 weeks or so. It is a fairly short book, but it is raw reading. Dick Gregory concentrates on his childhood and how poor they were. He told a story about how a do gooder came to the door to deliver a frozen turkey and fixings for Thanksgiving. He listens to the person pat themself on the back for a while then asks a simple question: Is the turkey cooked? The do gooder ignores the question but answers it the second time. No. Well, take it away because we have nothing here to cook it with. In spite of many nasty experiences, Dick Gregory said he didn't have hatred for white people. He told his wife to bring the kids up without hatred once when he went to the South to protest and was afraid he might die. He worked at his chosen career for a long time before being asked to fill in for another comedian and that is when he made it big, at the Playboy Club. He told some of his regular material such as there were so many kids in the same bed that they had to leave a bookmark to keep their place if they got up to go to the bathroom. This is an old book and a lot of Dick Gregory's life happened after this book was written. Near the end of his life, Dick Gregory was active in the Climate Change fight. Considering what poor and malnourished beginning he had, it is amazing that he ended up living so long. His mother died at age 48 with diabetes and heart failure. Finally, again this was way after this book but Dick Gregory became a vegetarian and likely that (and the money to buy health care after he became rich) is what kept him alive for so many decades longer than his mother. He was 84, she was 48. BTW the book is dedicated to her. He wrote to her that if she ever hears the word "Nigger" again, to just remember they are advertising his book! I had to renew the book and the clerk renewing it was too embarrassed to tell me the name of the book that needed renewing, so I told him the story of the dedication. I do recommend this book....but you may want to be careful where you read it!
September 12, 2017
Nigger: An Autobiography by Dick Gregory
I read Dick Gregory's obituary last Friday (9 Sep 2017) on the Economist. I was intrigued by the character, and I found that he has an autobiography. So I immediately bought the Kindle version.
https://www.economist.com/news/obitua...
https://www.amazon.com/Nigger-Autobio...
What a beautiful, inspiring, and funny book! It started off a bit boring with so many dialogs with his Momma but got much better after that. His family was so poor. His drive is so strong. Dick started running just because he wanted to get access to the shower facility. And he ran 3 hours a day every day until he got accepted into the team, and later went on to become a star athlete. The middle book was about his struggle to make it, he was broke while his wife had to work and gave birth in a separate city without anyone to help. He had a breakthrough with the Playboy Club and became a celebrity comedian within a year. Then he turned into a civil right campaigner after some experience with prisoners.
I could feel my eyes swelling up a couple of times during the books, such as his hardships/struggle in early life, his breakthrough (felt like Shawshank redemption), the death of his 2 months old son, or the final chapters when he made inspiring speeches or his wrap-up chapter.
Highly recommended for autobiography nuts! Dick Gregory, RIP for a life well lived!
I read Dick Gregory's obituary last Friday (9 Sep 2017) on the Economist. I was intrigued by the character, and I found that he has an autobiography. So I immediately bought the Kindle version.
https://www.economist.com/news/obitua...
https://www.amazon.com/Nigger-Autobio...
What a beautiful, inspiring, and funny book! It started off a bit boring with so many dialogs with his Momma but got much better after that. His family was so poor. His drive is so strong. Dick started running just because he wanted to get access to the shower facility. And he ran 3 hours a day every day until he got accepted into the team, and later went on to become a star athlete. The middle book was about his struggle to make it, he was broke while his wife had to work and gave birth in a separate city without anyone to help. He had a breakthrough with the Playboy Club and became a celebrity comedian within a year. Then he turned into a civil right campaigner after some experience with prisoners.
I could feel my eyes swelling up a couple of times during the books, such as his hardships/struggle in early life, his breakthrough (felt like Shawshank redemption), the death of his 2 months old son, or the final chapters when he made inspiring speeches or his wrap-up chapter.
Highly recommended for autobiography nuts! Dick Gregory, RIP for a life well lived!
May 29, 2016
I missed this book when reading biographies of civil rights activists. The title may well have something to do with why this book isn't discussed more. The New York Times refused to mention the title but quoted from the book several weeks ago. A quick Google search brought me to the book.
The book is a page-turner. Didactic at the end, but it was published smack in the middle of the civil rights movement. Every story Gregory tells is immediate and heartfelt. The humor is wonderful.
My only caveat is, of course, the title. Highly recommended for adults and teens.
The book is a page-turner. Didactic at the end, but it was published smack in the middle of the civil rights movement. Every story Gregory tells is immediate and heartfelt. The humor is wonderful.
My only caveat is, of course, the title. Highly recommended for adults and teens.
August 13, 2019
I am absolutely loving this book. I am not really sure why I picked this book up, but I am completely happy that I did. This book starts off by telling you about a hard life that he had to endure while growing up to purchase the things that he needed and wanted because he knew that his mother was unable to afford them. While reading this book I was surprised to find out that his mom passed at such a young age, in reading I made the assumption that she was much older than what she actually was, she actually lived a difficult life herself trying to provide for children and praying for a man to come home that did not want to be home. The abuse she suffered at the hands of him was difficult for me to read and although it's very brief in the story I am sure it was a lot more extensive.
I am just about half way through the book and it surprises me in regards to how he ended up married AND the fact that he stayed married to one person for all that time. Relationships are not made of that anymore but my goodness that's a story.
More to follow.....
I am just about half way through the book and it surprises me in regards to how he ended up married AND the fact that he stayed married to one person for all that time. Relationships are not made of that anymore but my goodness that's a story.
More to follow.....
December 13, 2019
An interesting read about the life of someone I didn't really know much about at all but was curious to know a little more, so I decided to read this book about Dick Gregory.
This extract from the book stood out to me and it was nicely worded:
'The Negro has a callus growing on his soul and it's getting harder and harder to hurt him there. That's a simple law of nature. Like a callus on a foot in a shoe that's too tight. The foot is nature's, and that shoe was put on my man. That tight shoe will pinch your foot and make you holler and scream. But sooner or later, if you don't take the shoe off, a callus will form on the foot and begin to wear out the shoe.
It's the same with the Negro in America today. That shoe - the white man's system - has pinched and rubbed and squeezed his soul until it almost destroyed him. But it didn't. And now a callus has formed on his soul, and unless that system is adjusted to fit him, too, that callus is going to wear out that system.'
This extract from the book stood out to me and it was nicely worded:
'The Negro has a callus growing on his soul and it's getting harder and harder to hurt him there. That's a simple law of nature. Like a callus on a foot in a shoe that's too tight. The foot is nature's, and that shoe was put on my man. That tight shoe will pinch your foot and make you holler and scream. But sooner or later, if you don't take the shoe off, a callus will form on the foot and begin to wear out the shoe.
It's the same with the Negro in America today. That shoe - the white man's system - has pinched and rubbed and squeezed his soul until it almost destroyed him. But it didn't. And now a callus has formed on his soul, and unless that system is adjusted to fit him, too, that callus is going to wear out that system.'
October 18, 2020
4.5 stars, and every bit as relevant today as when Dick Gregory wrote his memoir in 1964. This book grabbed and held my attention from the dedication:
Dear Momma - Wherever you are, if ever you hear the word “nigger” again, remember they are advertising my book.
In particular, I loved the sections on Gregory's childhood in St. Louis, how he honed his humor to beat bullies to the punch, and his experiences at Southern Illinois University and in the Army in the mid-1950s. Maybe these stories resonated more because Gregory had years to reflect on them prior to the writing process. The Civil Rights sections of this book are also incredible, but the tone felt a little different and (for me) they were not as emotionally rich as the earlier chapters.
And for everyone who enjoys this book, please check out the March series of graphic novels by John Lewis, too! They pair perfectly with Dick Gregory's memoir.
Dear Momma - Wherever you are, if ever you hear the word “nigger” again, remember they are advertising my book.
In particular, I loved the sections on Gregory's childhood in St. Louis, how he honed his humor to beat bullies to the punch, and his experiences at Southern Illinois University and in the Army in the mid-1950s. Maybe these stories resonated more because Gregory had years to reflect on them prior to the writing process. The Civil Rights sections of this book are also incredible, but the tone felt a little different and (for me) they were not as emotionally rich as the earlier chapters.
And for everyone who enjoys this book, please check out the March series of graphic novels by John Lewis, too! They pair perfectly with Dick Gregory's memoir.
November 30, 2017
A powerful book.
This book took me back to my childhood, back to the black and white TV in my living room in the South Bronx. I watched the fire hoses and the dogs and the southern hate all over again. And four dead children in a church. I was reminded that progress had been made by Medger, by MLK, by Ali and a host of others. But I also know that the hate in some white peoples hearts and living rooms never went away. It was just silenced for a time, resting under rock hard hearts waiting for a hateful rain to come and help it grow. And we are in that time now. Between the right wing evangelical Christians, the KKK, white supremacists and Donald Trump and Mike Pence. But like then and always, the truth will win. Love will drive out hate. Donald and the evangelical Christians will lose. They always do.
This book took me back to my childhood, back to the black and white TV in my living room in the South Bronx. I watched the fire hoses and the dogs and the southern hate all over again. And four dead children in a church. I was reminded that progress had been made by Medger, by MLK, by Ali and a host of others. But I also know that the hate in some white peoples hearts and living rooms never went away. It was just silenced for a time, resting under rock hard hearts waiting for a hateful rain to come and help it grow. And we are in that time now. Between the right wing evangelical Christians, the KKK, white supremacists and Donald Trump and Mike Pence. But like then and always, the truth will win. Love will drive out hate. Donald and the evangelical Christians will lose. They always do.
September 15, 2017
An emotional remembrance of a childhood scared by poverty, racism, and domestic abuse. With luck, faith, and a few good adults he uses his long distance running and comedic talent to make it to college. After a short service in the Army, he begins the long struggle of the starving artist and is supported by a community of friends and a heroic sacrificing wife. After a long winter of debt, he finally has his career break and with the right support and advisers becomes a national figure. Remembering his roots, he uses his celebrity status to engage the dangers of protest against racism in the Deep South. The story of his early life in which he rises from a Nigger to a Man. An excellent book.
November 4, 2017
Powerful
When I first started to read this, I was surprised. I've known that Mr Gregory was an activist and I've known that he was a great comedian. I didn't know the back story though. His recollection of life before, and during, the fame is eye opening and educational. There were passages here that caused me to pause. No, to stop. I had to stop and really take in what I'd just read. These passages spoke to my heart in a mighty way.
This is not a difficult read in terms of the words used or the subject matter. However, if you are a person who really gets into the book before you, this book is not one that will leave you quickly. Aptly titled and extremely well written, this is a book everyone should experience.
When I first started to read this, I was surprised. I've known that Mr Gregory was an activist and I've known that he was a great comedian. I didn't know the back story though. His recollection of life before, and during, the fame is eye opening and educational. There were passages here that caused me to pause. No, to stop. I had to stop and really take in what I'd just read. These passages spoke to my heart in a mighty way.
This is not a difficult read in terms of the words used or the subject matter. However, if you are a person who really gets into the book before you, this book is not one that will leave you quickly. Aptly titled and extremely well written, this is a book everyone should experience.
Read
June 3, 2015now I see and hear clearly
From beginning to end, you feel the struggle for dignity, the fight for respect, all of it seeps out into you. I grew up hearing of the struggles of blacks back then, but with this book I felt like I was living this struggle. even more so now with the almost daily killings of unarmed black men, women, boys and girls, the words become seared into your being, and you cry for your dignity being lost, you cry out for your humanity being ripped away from you.
From beginning to end, you feel the struggle for dignity, the fight for respect, all of it seeps out into you. I grew up hearing of the struggles of blacks back then, but with this book I felt like I was living this struggle. even more so now with the almost daily killings of unarmed black men, women, boys and girls, the words become seared into your being, and you cry for your dignity being lost, you cry out for your humanity being ripped away from you.
September 15, 2017
True American History
Dick Gregory truly writes his truth in this important piece of American history. From beginning to end the reader is caught in his paintings of what it means to be a black person in his America. Dick Gregory's truth resonates in every one of us, the irony is that this truth still rings valid today. The fight is not over and this important literary work must remain at the forefront front so that history does not repeat, but is used as a knowledge base for growth.
Dick Gregory truly writes his truth in this important piece of American history. From beginning to end the reader is caught in his paintings of what it means to be a black person in his America. Dick Gregory's truth resonates in every one of us, the irony is that this truth still rings valid today. The fight is not over and this important literary work must remain at the forefront front so that history does not repeat, but is used as a knowledge base for growth.
July 12, 2017
This Book
I didn't know much of Mr. Gregory , before I came across one of his interviews on YouTube. The headline grabbed me & I listened....I started to look for him more and listen more; I wanted to know and learn more. When I learned of the book, I quickly got it and read carefully! I respect him and his work and his message. I look forward to learning more! Thank you Mr. Gregory
I didn't know much of Mr. Gregory , before I came across one of his interviews on YouTube. The headline grabbed me & I listened....I started to look for him more and listen more; I wanted to know and learn more. When I learned of the book, I quickly got it and read carefully! I respect him and his work and his message. I look forward to learning more! Thank you Mr. Gregory
November 8, 2019
Great Read
I attended Sumner High School in St. Louis, MO. This is the same High School Dick Gregory attended. In fact, his best friend in the book was my gym teacher in Junior high (Turner Middle). I read this book in Junior high school. I’m 65 years old and it was truly special rereading this memoir.
I attended Sumner High School in St. Louis, MO. This is the same High School Dick Gregory attended. In fact, his best friend in the book was my gym teacher in Junior high (Turner Middle). I read this book in Junior high school. I’m 65 years old and it was truly special rereading this memoir.
March 2, 2015
Mr Gregory is an exceptional story teller telling a familiar story in a vividly unfamiliar way.
I am new to the specifics of Mr Gregory's life. This got me up to speed in an humble and genuine autobiography.
I am new to the specifics of Mr Gregory's life. This got me up to speed in an humble and genuine autobiography.
January 30, 2018
A great read by a great writer and comedian who recently passed away in 2017. A must read for anyone who wants to get a FEEL for what racism was and how one young boy fought through it all to get where he wanted to be.
February 10, 2018
Love this book!
Even though I'm only 37, this book reminded me of how I grew up. It's another generation with the same problems. It's up to you to want to try and make things better, and not accept just anything.
Even though I'm only 37, this book reminded me of how I grew up. It's another generation with the same problems. It's up to you to want to try and make things better, and not accept just anything.
March 19, 2018
Great writing.
It is a great story and Duck Gregory was one of the best story tellers of all time. He does an exceptional job of painting a great picture of what the late 50S and 60s were like
It is a great story and Duck Gregory was one of the best story tellers of all time. He does an exceptional job of painting a great picture of what the late 50S and 60s were like
February 4, 2019
No More Ni###%$ Around
What a beautiful look into the past and see the harsh reality.A black man does not have the caliber of respect as a white does. Men who posted a stupid picture will learn his life Gregory were s about love for yourself avid forgives
What a beautiful look into the past and see the harsh reality.A black man does not have the caliber of respect as a white does. Men who posted a stupid picture will learn his life Gregory were s about love for yourself avid forgives
September 12, 2019
I picked this book just because it was mentioned in the auto biography of my rock stars hero Nikki Sixx, and boy this book has made a scar in me. I wish I had read this book earlier in my life, and is one that should be read and discussed in schools.
February 15, 2020
Great book about his origins helps understand the man
After watching several of his videos recently, seeing this book on Amazon made me want to learn more about the man. As a man, with a wife, his story touched me in ways I was not expecting. Great read!
After watching several of his videos recently, seeing this book on Amazon made me want to learn more about the man. As a man, with a wife, his story touched me in ways I was not expecting. Great read!
April 7, 2021
Definitely worth the read. It’s super interesting reading something published during the civil rights movement, and some of the things Gregory thought people would look back on with regret but ended up not being a big deal. Props to Hugh Hefner for getting his career off the ground.
January 13, 2022
A beautifully painful book. Sad to know that in spite of the work of great men like Gregory, the struggle is not yet over, that racism has simply morphed into a more insidious beast. I wonder if Mr. Gregory would look at our society today and say we have made progress.
March 18, 2016
A must read without question
May 13, 2012
I wish I would have read this when I was younger. Pages 200-206 made me cry. Whenever I hear Nigger, I will always think of this book.
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July 27, 2017Excellent Book
This is an excellent book that. I liked the comedy mixed with the struggles over equality. I would recommend this to all.
This is an excellent book that. I liked the comedy mixed with the struggles over equality. I would recommend this to all.
May 7, 2016
Blueprints to the soul
Marvelously expressed. A true experience into the mind of a vivid activist. One man's path is the path of us all.
Marvelously expressed. A true experience into the mind of a vivid activist. One man's path is the path of us all.
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