Robert Beck also shared his thoughts and perspectives of the world as a conscious African American male. This collection of Iceberg's essays really shed some light about how he thought, who he was as a person beyond being a pimp, and the ins and outs of the risky life he lead as a majorly successful pimp. The Naked Soul of Iceberg Slim is a collection of essays he wrote (as Robert Beck) that pertained to his life as a pimp, his jail experience, his opinion about the pimp game as a retired veteran, and other musings he had during his life. Reading this book has made me like this author's work. Thereby, our reactions to the hand that we're dealt in life (good or bad) many times say more about us than the hand that we're dealt. Theologically, the same things that are used to break sinners are used to make saints stronger. My belief is that God allows us (as people) to go through things so we can help other people. Frankly, I'm glad that he made something of himself. Iceberg expresses what he thinks this book should speak to his fellow black as well as how he feels his writings will appeal to white supremacists, as they're not watered down, express racist views, and a pejorative outlook on black society. Frankly, I'm against censorship (overall) and thereby was welcoming to this. I found the book to be very open and honest. Howbeit, they're reflective of his real opinion. There's a lot of disparaging language in it regarding dark-skinned black women, white women who sleep with black men, the police, charlatan preachers, etc. This was the first book that I've ever read from a former pimp, ex-con, black & proud author Iceberg Slim. It is an eye opening and satisfying read.īeing a well-read author, scholar, and so forth - I love finding treasures like this. I’d come across the Naked Soul of Iceberg Slim by accident. At times his language is poetic his images vivid as when he personifies the rain as “her trillion jeweled feet danced on the mirrored asphalt…” Another powerful image of daybreak, “the sun slit night’s treacherous throat with a golden butcher knife.” He describes a knife fight that left a friend with his guts spilling out like “ropes of crimson pearls.” And grocery clerks - “anemic joy lit their drawn faces….” Beck combines humor with pathos. He pulls no punches and exposes what he sees as a society riddled with hypocrisy.Īt times his prose is blunt as he uses slang to convey the stark reality of the street. His comments on life as a black man in America at times takes on the tone of outrage as he uses terms like Master and Uncle Tom, the rhetoric of the day. He vividly profiles several people in his life such as Conqueror Jackson, Pappy, an ex hustler, Melvin X, The Goddess who broke his heart, Baby Sis, and includes a poignant letter to his father asking forgiveness. He shares with his readers the do’s and don’ts of pimp life ultimately, discouraging others from following in his path. He gains a reputation that has other young men coming to him for advice on how to follow in his footsteps. He details his life as a pimp, well known in his community. He tells of a time in prison, “In 1960 I was locked in one of the steel boxes for 10 months.” He spent other times in prison for other things and learned from his fellow inmates. As a young boy, Beck sees a friend knifed to death. He learns to survive a tough life growing up in the ghetto. In the Naked Soul of Iceberg Slim, Robert Beck, aka Iceberg Slim, recalls his early life as a young boy raised by his mother, abandoned by his father who among other things threw his young son against the wall. I’d heard of Iceberg Slim, the pimp, but I never heard of Iceberg Slim, the writer.
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