Huey: Spirit of the Panther

by David Hilliard, Fredrika Newton (Foreword), Keith Zimmerman (Primary Contributor)

Huey P. Newton remains one of the most misunderstood political figures of the twentieth century. As cofounder and leader of the Black Panther Party for more than twenty years, Newton (1942-1989) was at the forefront of the radical political activism of the 1960s and '70s. Raised in poverty in Oakland, California, and named for corrupt Louisiana governor Huey P. Long, Newton embodied both the passions and the contradictions of the civil rights movement he sought to advance. In this first authorized biography, Newton's former chief of staff David Hilliard teams up with best-selling authors Keith and Kent Zimmerman to tell the whole story of the man behind the organization that FBI director J. Edgar Hoover infamously dubbed "the greatest threat to the internal security of the country."

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Biography, Politics, Theory, American, African American

320 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

Reviews

[Nani Hendrix · Rating 5 out of 5]

From this moment on, if I ever have a son, his name will be Huey Newton! Seriously!

This is a man that is a TRUE definition of what a Black Revolutionary is supposed to be! Huey tackled the streets and reached out to The People. He was highly aware that we hold the power to true change. We could change the damn world if we wanted to. We could spark a revolution, demanding that the oppressors see what we’re made of. Huey was fearless, unstoppable, courageous, free-spirited, kind, gentle, and just an overall stand up guy that I’ve easily fallen in love with.

While reading this book, I walked by his side through everything. I encountered the rallies, the unbearable penal sentences and government raids, the lonely moments as well as the happy ones. Mr. Hilliard basically took me back in time. Everything was well documented and vivid! He introduced me to members of the BPP and provided a deeper understanding for what they fought for.

What I love MOST about the BPP, was the community services. They had Breakfast programs, schools, and clinics. Hilliard made it clear that the Party was NOT created as a violent retaliation towards police brutality and racism. It was created to PROTECT, SERVE, and make positive changes to the Black community.

The constant police harassment and FBI’s tactics to break down the BPP were some of the most terrible things I’ve ever read about in history! Here is a group of well educated, young Black people that only wanted to create a better life for the oppressed. However, they were treated as an extremist group that was out to destroy. Can we say the intimidation was so REAL?! Huey encountered so much stress and pain from them that I’m sure that’s what pushed his alcohol consumption into an addiction. I bet it pushed him to start using hard drugs. Hell, if my life was constantly being intruded on, I might’ve picked up a dangerous addiction as well. Huey had a reason for going crazy as often as he’d done, trust me! I just wish he could’ve stayed in Cuba and enjoyed that freedom because the moment I read that he returned, I knew it wasn’t going to end well.

I would highly suggest anyone that interested in the Revolutionary icon that is Huey P. Newton, to read this book! You get stories and detailed flashbacks, from not only Hilliard, but family members and other BPP members. You get a real description and feel for who Huey truly was and why his legacy will forever be everlasting and untouchable in Black History!

[Aaron Chandler]

i have for some time now, had an interest in Huey P Newton. Like most people i saw him as that guy in that picture with the spear and the gun. I thought that was what he was a chief for black America. Truth is he was but he was also human. The more i read this i found some things i disagreed with and some that just blew me away about this scholarly thug. How he lived in both worlds and he own self destruction that lead him to his death. While at the same time his love of his people and knowledge. that still hold him as one of my heroes. He wasn't perfect but he wasn't bad either. this book opened my eyes to the true Huey P Newton and it only made me look up to him more i loved it. it was more of an experience than a read.

[Mookie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read Revolutionary Suicide prior to reading this and to put it bluntly, David Hilliard's writing (especially in relation to Huey's) is not very good. However I didn't really find it to impede the read, and this one was very insightful - and refreshingly honest. The book's most redeeming quality is all the first hand recollections from various acquaintances in his life. Well worth the read.

[Nini · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book with first-hand credibility from Hilliard. Very well written, informative and a page turner! Definitely made me respect and understand Huey Newton more!

[Muhammad Sutton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book offered a good insight into the life of Huey P. Newton from a different perspective. David Hilliard did not shy away from detailing the good, the bad and the ugly. Even at the end of the book, he detailed the fall from grace experienced by Huey P. Newton as he transitioned from a revolutionary to a crackhead. Most authors want to focus on the good points, but David Hilliard laid everything out. Huey's drug addiction and violent nature were no secret to the people who knew him. However, people want to turn him into a super hero with no mistakes. The reality is that because he could not control his desires and addictions, he went from hero of the community to a basehead who was killed over twenty dollars worth of crack cocaine. Let this story serve as a lesson!

[Stevie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't imagine living under the pressure he undertook attempting to change society. Some people may look down on him for some of his actions, especially the drug addiction, but I think I can understand why someone would need supplements to go through what Huey Newton did. Like him or not, he lived a whole lot more than most people.

[Antwan Woods · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing autobiography regarding Dr. Newton and the Black Panther Party. People tend to mistake the Black Panther Party as "the black version of the KKK". This however is untrue. This book will definitely shed light on what this group was about.

[Antwan Woods · Rating 5 out of 5]

Basically an autobiography of Dr. Newton. This book goes in detail about how the FBI and CIA illegally utilized the counterintelligence program to disrupt and dismantle black organizations and purposefully planted drugs in the black community. A must read for those into social justice.

[Scout · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a wonderfully written, inspiring look at who Huey P. Newton really was. It also gave excellent insight into the Black Panther Party and their inspiring history.

[Brian Cooper · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book easily goes down as one of the most interesting books I've ever read.

[Nick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good read. Learned a lot about the party and what they stood for. It is sad how it ended for Huey, but he truly made a difference in the black community.

[Chanel Kyles · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you finished Huey P. Newton's autobiography, Revolutionary Suicide feeling empty...

I first learned of David Hilliard and Huey: Spirit of the Panther after completing Revolutionary Suicide. Newton pinned this book while he was still pretty young, thus leaving the reader with so many unanswered questions. His second wife mentioned this book and the introduction and boy am I happy she did! My biggest critique is that I can tell there were multiple writers in this book...some chapters felt choppy and rushed. While using excerpts from other books was necessary...some chapters felt it only did just that. The book was 20 chapters, my interest wasn't piqued until chapter 10. But man. Those last 10 chapters answered every question I had by the end of Revolutionary Suicide. Must read if you want to know more about Huey and the Black Panther Party!

[Autumn Joi · Rating 4 out of 5]

The more I learn about Huey the more fascinated I become. We grow up hearing about Martin, Rosa Parks and if you're lucky Malcolm X, meanwhile glossing over such revolutionaries as Marcus, Stokley, and, of course, Huey--whose contributions are just as important to the fabric of society as any others. I loved hearing first person accounts of personal interactions with him, and although you can never get a true picture of who Huey really was, I feel like this was a good place to start. Huey was complex, conflicted, and at times a contradiction even to himself; but that is what it means to be human--to error. I disagree with the ending of diagnosing him as bi-polar and manic-depressive. I'm not saying it wasn't possible, but I don't agree with diagnosing someone based on second-hand information. Especially when it is just as plausible that he could have been suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, which, considering such things as living in constant fear for his life, constant surveillance, and his years in solitary confinement, is probably the more likely culprit. The book itself wasn't the most elegant piece of writing; however, I was reading more for the story/information than the stylistic estetics. I look forward to starting Revolutionary Suicide.

[Charlie Eskew · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book really gave me an insight on what the purpose of the Black Panther Party was, and the motive behind some of their more radical choices. I learned more about Huey, eccentric as he seemed you can't help but be astonished by what he accomplished, and sympathize with his motives. the internal strife within the party was interesting to read about, as well as the shooting that put Huey in jail. While Hilliard didn't hide his biases at all I think the passion he puts into it adds a bit to the kinda-sorta biography.

[Dave · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting and inspiring biography of Huey Newton. He was an incredibly serious activist with a real vision for remaking society. He was a socialist and an internationalist. He also had nerves of steel and wasn't intimidated by the state at all, despite being locked in solitary confinement for three years. And his message resonated with millions of people in the U.S. and around the world--Black and white. Definitely a great read for any activist.

[Lindor Joelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can't state how much I LOVED this book. Many people refer to "Soul on Ice" as the definitive book regarding the Panthers. I would refer anyone to this title instead. I learned so much about Mr. Newton from the fact that he had a PhD (who knew?) to the mental issues that seem to eventually have gotten the best of him.

Great book for history buffs.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent and easy to read. Tons of information from the people who knew him best written in a lively and informative style. My only complaint is you could tell it was written by admirers as there is little to no criticism or opposing viewpoints.

[Jim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Worthwhile read especially about Huey Newton's thinking as far as survival programs were concerned. However, Hilliard pulls his punches when it comes to Geronimo Pratt.
The story redeems the writing.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

read this book!!!

[Rob G. · Rating 5 out of 5]

EXCELLENT BOOK! You get the truth of the legendary rebel by his fellow comrade, all the good and all the bad.

[Chris brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

an excellent book. A great read written by people whom knew the man, not just someone whom had herd about the man. Reading the book you walk in the man's shoes from beginning to tragic end.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

"when the panther roars..the world trembles."

[Jason · Rating 4 out of 5]

Poorly written at some points but a very worthwhile read.

[Boss Don Ness · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing!!

[elizabeth mackessy-lloyd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informative read. Gave me a much better understanding of the black panther movement as well as his very inspired, though rather tortured, revolutionary.