Tag Archives: Books

“On Writing” for the Hip-Hop Culture: Rakim’s “Sweat the Technique” Reviewed

In most cases, progress and evolution happen slowly, over a period of time marked by small, incremental changes. Occasionally, however, a seismic shift occurs and a culture transforms overnight. That is what happened in 1986 when a young man with a voice that sounded like it was from outer space came in the door andContinue reading ““On Writing” for the Hip-Hop Culture: Rakim’s “Sweat the Technique” Reviewed”

A Fun, Glib, and Honest Trip Down Rap Memory Lane – “Ruffhouse” Reviewed

Growing up in the Philly area, there is a constant underlying feeling of inferiority, like a little brother, in regards to New York City, particularly within the realm of hip-hop.

I’ll Never Make a Living from My Writing

This month will mark the seventh anniversary of the release of my first — and still highest-selling — book. It was a niche book and it made some minor waves in that space, to the point where it even climbed all the way to #2 in that category on Amazon. It didn’t stay there long, however, and my nameContinue reading “I’ll Never Make a Living from My Writing”

The Best Books on John Adams

“I am but an ordinary Man. The Times alone have destined me to Fame — and even these have not been able to give me, much…Yet some great Events, some cutting Expressions, some mean Hypocrisies, have at Times, thrown this Assemblage of Sloth, Sleep, and littleness into Rage a little like a Lion.” John AdamsContinue reading “The Best Books on John Adams”

A Beautiful Book about a Beautiful Mind – “John Adams’s Republic: The One, the Few, and the Many” Reviewed

“He saw the whole of a subject at a single glance, and by a happy union of the powers of reasoning and persuasion often succeeded in carrying measures which were at first sight of an unpopular nature.” –Benjamin Rush I imagine writing a book about John Adams in the 2010’s would be a daunting task.Continue reading “A Beautiful Book about a Beautiful Mind – “John Adams’s Republic: The One, the Few, and the Many” Reviewed”

The Most Unique Book in History: Ghostface Killah’s “The World According to Pretty Toney”

It’s no secret that I’m a Wu-Tang Clan superfan. I know obscure trivia about the group. I have their logo on my coffee mug. I own old issues of The Source and XXL with the group on the cover. I also own items like the “Protect Ya Neck” cassette single, the “C.R.E.A.M.” single on vinyl, andContinue reading “The Most Unique Book in History: Ghostface Killah’s “The World According to Pretty Toney””

10 Books That Are as Valuable as an MBA

You can’t learn everything in school. In fact, many of the greatest lessons are found outside of the classroom. As someone that went to graduate school (twice) and did get an MBA, I will not diminish it by saying that reading some books is the equivalent of completing a postgraduate degree. It’s not. I learned aContinue reading “10 Books That Are as Valuable as an MBA”

Goodbye, CreateSpace

There are only a few things that have really changed my life. My children, certainly. My wife, of course. There are maybe one or two others that could be included — business school, for example — but one thing that I would include in that category without hesitation is the website CreateSpace.

A Colorful Career Retrospective: “A Kevin Smith Scrapbook” Reviewed

The best thing about the digital revolution is that there are almost no rules. Like independent films in the early ’90s, creators are using available technology to push boundaries and reinvent the way things are done. Thus, the rise of the e-book and the availability of self-publishing now allows a superfan to create their ownContinue reading “A Colorful Career Retrospective: “A Kevin Smith Scrapbook” Reviewed”