Capital City

by Omar Tyree

Life is supposed to be easy and carefree when you are young, but if you live in Washington D.C., that’s not always the case. Flashing back to the 1990s, readers enter the lives of four black men looking to gain money, power, and respect. These four brothas come from different walks of life, but they have one thing in they are trying to make fast money in the harsh inner city. However, when the money comes too easily there's usually a price attached...the ultimate price.

544 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published February 23, 2016

About the author

Omar Tyree, a New York Times best-selling author, a 2001 NAACP Image Award recipient for Outstanding Literature in Fiction, and a 2006 Phillis Wheatley Literary Award winner for Body of Work in Urban Fiction, has published 16 books and has sold nearly 2 million copies worldwide that has generated more than $30 million.
With a degree in Print Journalism from Howard University in 1991, Tyree has been recognized as one of the most renowned contemporary writers in the literary community. He is also an informed and passionate speaker on various community-related and intellectual topics. Now entering the world of feature films, business lectures, and children’s books, Tyree is a tireless creator and visionary of few limitations.
Tyree is a popular speaker on the university and corporate circuits. In his “Equation for Life” lecture, Tyree weaves together a full-proof formula for attaining lifelong success in business, as well as everyday living. Ideal for innovation, corporate sales and marketing teams, one attendee who heard the lecture commented, “Omar Tyree’s Equation for Life speech made me rethink my whole life - it has given me the focus I need.” The success of the speeches over the last 11 years landed Tyree his first nonfiction book deal with John Wiley, the number 1 business publisher in the world. The Equation: Applying the 4 Indisputable Components of Business Success, is being released in early January 2009.
As an author, journalist, performance poet, songwriter, screenwriter,entrepreneur, innovator of various creations, and an energetic and fiery speaker, Tyree is no stranger to the world of contemporary urban influence. Tyree became one of the dominant literary promoters of the 1990s, leading to offers of publishing deals by a number of influential mainstream book publishers. In 1995, he signed a lucrative two-book arrangement with publishing powerhouse Simon & S chuster. A few years later, Tyree signed an undisclosed long-term contract that established him amongst Simon & Schuster’s top authors.
His journey as an entrepreneur began in his early 20s when he started the book publishing company Mar Productions, to release his earliest works of fiction. Tyree’s entrepreneurial ventures have evolved to include the Urban Literacy Project as a nonprofit organization to inspire reading, writing, thinking,visualization, application and financial literacy skills among disadvantaged youth and adults. He has also formed Renaissance Entertainment Group, a partnership with self-made multimillionaire Arthur Wylie, to produce Tyree’s body of fiction novels into feature films.
Tyree’s articles have been published in the Washington Post, Essence, Upscale, Ebony, TheDailyVoice.com and several other publications

Reviews

[Tim · Rating 1 out of 5]

This story based in the early 90s follows young hoodlums in horribly despicable and negative ways. Author Tyree seems to be trying to get his gangsta on and turns this listener off. 0 of 10 stars

[K2 · Rating 2 out of 5]

It’s been about two weeks since I finished this read and I still don’t know nothing🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣. I wanted to think on it before reviewing but then totally forgot to think about it to review.....WTF🤪Only kinda liked one character and I was cool with that situation but the rest was boring and lack of direction, I felt nothing for these ppl. But honestly like with a few of Tyree’s other books, this theme had great potential.

[Dunori · Rating 5 out of 5]

First off I must say that I read an earlier edition of the book (the first I believe) which had a different, more fitting cover in my opinion - an illustration of three Black males. I'm not sure where the idea for this newer cover came from because the book is indeed about three Black males, not just one, and thus it's honestly a bit irritating for me to look at. If it was a matter of changing from illustration to real photo he could've/should've still had three guys in the photo. Perhaps it was some sort of marketing tactic that I don't see the effectiveness of. The version I had doesn't have a bar code on it so I presume that is why it's not amongst the others here on the site.

Now that we have THAT out of the way... I can easily imagine others not agreeing with my rating but I gave it this score because it gave me stronger dosage of nostalgia than I probably have ever gotten from any other book I've read. I'm fairly certain that any other Black male who is also a 70's baby and grew up in the DC area would agree with me; I'll go ahead and call it a must read for them.

[Lana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read

Bought this book because it was Omar tyree .this book should be standard reading for every young black male . Like the man said no such thing as easy street. Well done.
great read highly recommend

[Regena Carter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read!

At first I thought it was going to be a typical, black fiction novel...lots of sex & lots of killing...but it was neither! Tyree was trying to send a message with this one. I got it! It’s great page turner!

[Keesha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have liked most of Omar Tyree's books but this one, Leslie and Pecking Order are my favorites. In this one, the journey of both Shank and Wes are transforming. Good story of inner city mindsets and struggles to get out.

[Robin Martin · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is the story and writing style I think about when I see the author's name: It follows several young men in and around Washington D.C, the lives of gangstas and other Black men who are separating themselves from the "thug" life. The writing style is appropriate for the story and the intended audience of those who might relate to the characters. There is not an abundance of mechanical errors that might indicate a lack of editing; the book is edited well-enough. I think of this book like a gangsta rap song—compelling, poetic, but too often misogynistic, violent, glorifying criminal behavior for my tastes. Again, I recognize I'm not the target audience. Still, I don't think it's Tyree's strongest story.

[Mr.Wade · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story line was fine. I don't know why there was a racial aspect in the backstory.

[Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

I gave this book 4 stars just because it was written by Omar Tyree.

[Hugh · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book share perspectives of three characters 's life activities in DC.

I remember living D.C. while attending Gallaudet University. From what I see is similar to what the book paint vividly picture of what was going on.

I like reading something that bring back memories of famous people mention in the book.

Well written. Hard to understand the language ,Ebonics or accent. Once you read on you will understand it, you'n?

I lunching!!!

[Cathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was good story for what it was. By that I mean it was dated. Interesting to read a story where beepers existed but no cell phones. The lingo was also dated- I think! I followed it well enough and I like the way it ended.

[Tiara Chutkhan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first Omar Tyree book and I was hooked! This had 90s movie vibes for sure. The characters were really well developed throughout the book and I loved seeing them grow and also seeing their soft spots. The action had me on edge as well!

[Bridgette Woods · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the Book!
I have always loved Omar Tyree's writing style.

[Lashawone · Rating 3 out of 5]

Flashback to the nineties. I enjoyed this book, however, the use of so much slang took away from the reading experience.

[Yasheve · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too much vernacular

[Iona R Sawyer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting book but it was more for older male teenagers, juniors and or seniors in high school. One that helps prepares them for society today to turns to a more positive direction. If edited more it could be used for male teenagers starting high school, freshman, sophomore.