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Assata: An Autobiography Paperback – November 1, 2001

by Assata Shakur (Author), Angela Davis (Contributor)
4.9 4.9 out of 5 stars 4,337 ratings
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On May 2, 1973, Black Panther Assata Shakur (aka JoAnne Chesimard) lay in a hospital, close to death, handcuffed to her bed, while local, state, and federal police attempted to question her about the shootout on the New Jersey Turnpike that had claimed the life of a white state trooper. Long a target of J. Edgar Hoover's campaign to defame, infiltrate, and criminalize Black nationalist organizations and their leaders, Shakur was incarcerated for four years prior to her conviction on flimsy evidence in 1977 as an accomplice to murder.

 

This intensely personal and political autobiography belies the fearsome image of JoAnne Chesimard long projected by the media and the state. With wit and candor, Assata Shakur recounts the experiences that led her to a life of activism and portrays the strengths, weaknesses, and eventual demise of Black and White revolutionary groups at the hand of government officials. The result is a signal contribution to the literature about growing up Black in America that has already taken its place alongside The Autobiography of Malcolm X and the works of Maya Angelou.

Two years after her conviction, Assata Shakur escaped from prison. She was given political asylum by Cuba, where she now resides.
 

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Previous page
  1. Print length
    296 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Lawrence Hill Books
  4. Publication date
    November 1, 2001
  5. Dimensions
    6.12 x 0.67 x 9.25 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    1556520743
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1556520747
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"A deftly written book . . . A spellbinding tale."  —The New York Times Book Review

"A sober, restrained, but forceful recollection. . . . A must book for those interested in the 'revolutionaries' of the 1960s" —Choice

"A compelling tale of the impact of white racism on a sensitive and powerful young black woman." —Library Journal

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Lawrence Hill Books; First Edition (November 1, 2001)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 296 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1556520743
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1556520747
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.12 x 0.67 x 9.25 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.9 4.9 out of 5 stars 4,337 ratings

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Assata Shakur

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Customer reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars
4.9 out of 5
4,337 global ratings
Life changing.
5 Stars
Life changing.
I have never written a review on anything and I can say I love things. This book is not only empowering , but it’s educational. I did not want to put this book down at all. This book has changed my life and my mindset. Much love and power to Ms. Assata Shakur.
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Top reviews from the United States

JustaReader
5.0 out of 5 stars Great read
Reviewed in the United States on January 18, 2024
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I purchased this as it was on a banned books list and I hadn’t read it. I found it to be an easy, interesting read. I would definitely recommend it.
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Rasheed
5.0 out of 5 stars Epitome of Strong Black Woman
Reviewed in the United States on December 28, 2016
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The quality of biographies and autobiographies is largely dependent upon the life lived by the individual and how the story is told. Someone could have lived a full and exciting life but tell about it in a drab, dull way. Whereas someone could have lived a mundane, boring life but narrated it in a colorful and interesting way.

Assata lived a very interesting life, much different than the majority of us, and she told her story in an uncomplicated and intriguing manner. I had never heard of Assata Shakur until I saw her named mentioned in another book I was reading. Now I'm quite upset that I didn't know about her sooner or that I hadn't read her story when I was younger.

Assata's simple yet powerful story of her life in New York as a young woman searching for a way to best serve her people is amazing. I absolutely love her toughness, her mindset and her ability to think for herself. Although she joined the Black Panther Party she was not hesitant to point out its flaws and what they needed to do to improve. She took a critical thinking approach to everything she did though her actions weren't completely devoid of emotion.

What happened to her as an adult is eerily similar to what happened to so many other freedom fighters/Black activists in the 60's and 70's: they were either killed or imprisoned. Fortunately, she wasn't killed though it wasn't for lack of trying. That night of May 2, 1973 had death sentence written all over it. But she survived and fought one legal battle after the next until the system finally succeeded in putting her away. It was a matter of: "we have the resources and the means and you do not."

Assata was an amazing woman and it literally radiates from the pages. And she tells her story in a straightforward way. She's not trying to exhibit how much she knows or even how much she's done. It is not a verbose book with $10 words in there to wow the reader. It is a simple no-nonsense telling of what her life was like in the Black urban areas of New York as a child, how she became the pro-Black woman she became and how a system of institutionalized racism ran her over with their 20 ton train.

She conspicuously and wisely omits a lot of names and details when it comes to some of her movements and meetings during her Panther days and, of course, of her escape from prison. Still, you learn all you need to know about Assata and the powers that she was up against. But she named herself Assata Olugbala Shakur for a reason:

"Assata means 'She who struggles,' Olugbala means 'Love for the people,' ...Shakur means 'the thankful.'" I would say that she embodied all of that and I'M thankful she lived the life she lived, told the story she told and I'm thankful I got a chance to read and appreciate it.
111 people found this helpful
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Timothy H.
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent and Informative
Reviewed in the United States on April 12, 2023
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This is a Very timely journey written in the 60’s and 70’s that is very relevant even in 2023! We have come so far recently but it shows how far We have yet to go!
One person found this helpful
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Teresa Capecchi
5.0 out of 5 stars The Power of Black Womyn
Reviewed in the United States on July 25, 2020
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This book is an incredible account of Assata Shakur's life. She blends her life experience with history and poetry and reflection. The injustices she endured are heartbreaking, but her unbreakable spirit and her resilience give hope for the future. Shakur shines a light on the corrupt systems that oppress black and brown people across the USA. Her accounts of physical and mental torture at the hands of police and prison guards are a stark reminder that things haven't changed. I walked away from this book knowing I have to do more, inspired to work for change. We are at a pivotal time in our nation's history. We, like Assata, must rise up against the oppressors. Shakur's life gives us a blueprint on how we can do that, how much we have to risk, and what is at stake.
5 people found this helpful
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Valorie and James Fischer
5.0 out of 5 stars An important read
Reviewed in the United States on April 17, 2024
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Seeing the world through her eyes, my heart hurts.
Wishing this was required reading in high school.
Take breaks if you need to, but finish it.
One person found this helpful
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Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Loved it. Inspired!
Reviewed in the United States on February 23, 2024
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I'm still new to our history so once I heard about Assata I knew I had to read her autobiography. It shows me the progress we made but at the same time how far we still have to go with some of the issues we still face. Strong queen overcame!!
One person found this helpful
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Kevin Anglade
4.0 out of 5 stars Revolutionary alone cannot define this extraordinary woman.
Reviewed in the United States on March 29, 2014
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Assata Shakur's story is one that depicts struggle while simultaneously defying the odds. It is introspective, heartfelt, frustrating and insightful. For those searching for a story that details the revolutionary's escape or her numerous trials in a gossiping form will be certain to have wasted their time. Instead, Assata: An Autobiography gives you the woman's experience in her most honest of voices that is raw and powerful. Readers will also be schooled as she dedicates a few of her chapters to teaching the misinformed of America about it's false history that we are led to believe as we go through the educational system. This book without question is a great read and those who are truly interested in hearing Assata's personal accounts first hand will find this liberating as well as refreshing.
3 people found this helpful
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Jai Harper
5.0 out of 5 stars A must read !
Reviewed in the United States on June 12, 2023
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This is an amazing book , an amazing story I love good black books and learning new things highly recommended
One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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Audrey
5.0 out of 5 stars Good book by Assata Shakur herself
Reviewed in Canada on February 11, 2021
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Very eye opening book
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Amazon Kunde
5.0 out of 5 stars Very well written Book.
Reviewed in Germany on February 16, 2021
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The book exposes the unjust socio-economic and political system of the USA and how you can be framed by the institutions that are suppose to protect you. I recommand this book to everybody. Some very detail information such as the escape are left out. I gues it was not included to protec certain individual that helped her. The book was written in the late 1980s, so it is understandable that it would have given the FBI a hint.
I recommand this book to anybody and especially to women.
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Didier Celestine
5.0 out of 5 stars Bien
Reviewed in France on February 23, 2020
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Bien
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Nicole Ann ...
5.0 out of 5 stars Great read.
Reviewed in Canada on June 15, 2018
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Great read......I highly recommend everyone reading about the life of this innocent woman ! I pray Assata is free of all charges , her name cleared !
One person found this helpful
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Cátia Sané
5.0 out of 5 stars Review
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 7, 2020
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I loved everything about this book. The non linear structure and how she kept switching from her childhood perspective growing up to when she was getting arrested and all the struggles she went through being a prisoner and going through all the trials. The writing was very vivid as you read you feel like you are living in the moment. The language is amazing as well the abundance of language techniques was put well together. What I loved was how she was very honest about the struggles she went through as a black child and how each time she was growing up she always had the desire to educate herself in a lot of issues. Moreover it’s an amazing autobiography to read I recommend it, the poetry was beautiful as well!!
2 people found this helpful
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