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My Appetite for Destruction: Sex & Drugs & Guns N' Roses
by Steven Adler Lawrence J. SpagnolaFrom the original Guns N’ Roses drummer comes a tale of sex, drugs, excess, hairspray, and an intense 20-year struggle with addiction.Guns N’ Roses is one of the world’s most successful rock bands, with estimated sales of 90 million albums worldwide. Steven Adler is the original drummer, with an infamous past of sex, drugs, and rock ’n’ roll that led to his removal from the band.And here, for the first time, Steven Adler tells it all. In My Appetite for Destruction, he reveals with wit and candour his personal struggles with drug addiction, including the financial ruin he faced after being kicked out of Guns N’ Roses and the health problems that almost claimed his life several times—two heart attacks, a suicide attempt, and a debilitating stroke, as well as an epic 20-year addiction to crack and heroin.Now clean and sober, Steven sets the record straight on his life and his time with Guns N’ Roses, during the rise and collapse of one of the greatest rock bands of all time.“Great for the die-hard GNR fan . . . This is a cautionary tale, all the way.” —Penthouse
My Black Country: A Journey Through Country Music's Black Past, Present, and Future
by Alice RandallAlice Randall, award-winning professor, songwriter, and author presents &“a celebration of all things country music&” (Ken Burns) as she reflects on her search for the first family of Black country music.Country music had brought Alice Randall and her activist mother together and even gave Randall a singular distinction in American music history: she is the first Black woman to cowrite a number one country hit, Trisha Yearwood&’s &“XXX&’s and OOO&’s (An American Girl)&”. Randall found inspiration and comfort in the sounds and history of the first family of Black country music: DeFord Bailey, Lil Hardin, Ray Charles, Charley Pride, and Herb Jeffries who, together, made up a community of Black Americans rising through hard times to create simple beauty, true joy, and sometimes profound eccentricity. What emerges in My Black Country is &“a delightful, inspirational story of persistence, resistance, and sheer love&” (Kirkus Reviews, starred review) of this most American of music genres and the radical joy in realizing the power of Black influence on American culture. As country music goes through a fresh renaissance today, with a new wave of Black artists enjoying success, My Black Country is the perfect gift for longtime country fans and a vibrant introduction to a new generation of listeners who previously were not invited to give the genre a chance.
My Broken Pieces: Mending the Wounds From Sexual Abuse Through Faith, Family and Love
by Rosie RiveraThe sister of "La Diva de la Banda"--legendary Mexican-American singer Jenni Rivera--opens up for the first time about Jenni's untimely death and her own triumph over abuse and addiction.<P><P>Jenni Rivera was the top selling female Mexican-American recording artist of all time, before a plane crash ended her life on December 9, 2012. But to Rosie Rivera, she was simply "sister."Now, for the first time since Jenni's death, Rosie has found her own voice. With unflinching candor and courage, she recounts her very personal and very difficult story--from a childhood filled with love and praise to sexual abuse at the hands of a family member. The resulting trauma sent her life spiraling into a never-ending cycle of addiction, depression, and promiscuity, culminating in a suicide attempt. But, thanks to the unconditional love and compassion of her beloved sister, Jenni, Rosie was able to reconcile with her family, her faith, and--most importantly--herself. Filled with compelling stories of her family's humble beginnings, their meteoric rise to stardom, and Jenni's fatal crash, this memoir is a testament to Rosie's strength--and her struggle to fit together the broken pieces of her life on a new path towards hope and healing. INCLUDES PHOTOGRAPHS
My Country
by George CanyonFrom Juno and Canadian Country Music Award winner George Canyon comes a heartfelt and candid memoir charting his humble beginnings in rural Nova Scotia, the hard-won success he found under the bright lights of Nashville, Tennessee, and all the life lessons he learned on and off the road that ultimately led him home.Today, George Canyon is a Platinum Award–winning country musician, known for hits such as &“Good Day to Ride,&” &“I Want You to Live,&” and songs that tell stories about family, love, faith, and having a good drink every now and then. But growing up in Pictou County, Nova Scotia, among his close-knit family of grandparents, aunts, and uncles, George wanted nothing more than to be an astronaut. He was always drawn to music, whether it was the hymns he belted out from the church pew or the old guitar he strummed his first notes on at the tender age of five, but it was possibility of a life in the stars that drove him. First, though, he had to learn to fly a plane on Earth, so as soon as he turned twelve, he joined the Air Cadets, following a rich family tradition of serving one&’s country. Just two years later, George&’s big dreams of being a pilot came crashing to the ground when he was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, a disease that meant a lifetime of measuring his food, testing his sugar levels, and taking insulin. And with limited treatment options available in the 1980s, the diagnosis ruled out the air force. Devastated as he was, deep down George knew that there was a greater plan for his life. When a snap decision to audition for a musical led to an offer to join a local country band, everything changed: George found his calling. It would be years of hard work and sacrifice—touring dive bars across the country and working multiple jobs—but with the unwavering support of his family and his deep sense of faith, George got his big break in 2004 when he landed a spot on Nashville Star, a singing competition TV show. From there, he was catapulted onto the world stage. With his natural gift for spinning a good tale and his signature humour and honesty, George recounts his musical journey from small-town Nova Scotia to the big city of Nashville, Tennessee, and how his life came full circle when he returned to Canada—this time, to the wide plains of Alberta. At its heart, this memoir is a love song to a way of life that&’s rooted in family, faith, and place, and a reminder to never give up on your dreams.
My Country: 50 Musicians on God, America & the Songs They Love
by Melanie DuneaNow in paperback, a volume of stunning photographs of 50 country music icons and intimate accounts of their thoughts on God, America, and their favorite songs.Award-winning photographer and author of My Last Supper, Melanie Dunea traces the throughlines from country music's gritty roots to the chart-topping chanteuses of today, presenting beautiful, imaginative, and revealing photographs of icons ranging from Taylor Swift to Wynnona Judd to Little Jimmy Dickens and conducting interviews that ask stars to discuss their musical roots and inspirations, their defining moments, and what makes country music the heart and soul of America.As the music industry fractures and suffers from flagging sales, country music has enjoyed explosive growth and unprecedented popularity. This totally unique book will be a must-own (and a perfect gift) for fans of the old time country twang and the millions who love the glitz and glamour of today's country-pop. My Country is a music-lovers dream, and in this more inexpensive, accessible market the book is sure to find its core audience amongst country music's legions of fans.
My Country Roots: The Ultimate MP3 Guide to America's Original Outsider Music
by Alice RandallHow do you define rockabilly?Who were the original "outlaws" of Country music?Where can you go to hear great music in Austin, Texas?My Country Roots answers all these questions and hundreds more! It is a resource that will help you fill your mp3 player with the essential Country songs, while impressing your friends with your knowledge of the ultimate outsider art.Containing 100 recommended playlists for downloading, this book is the best and most unique way to explore the Country music genre in a modern easy, convenient way. Each playlist walks you through the history, culture, and relevance of Country music, revealing the authenticity and raw truth that represents Country.Whether you are a long-time lover of Country music or just discovering the genre, this book will help you not only organize your music, but explore, evaluate, and critique the music while learning about the basics of Country?what we sound like, what we believe in, where we've come from, and where we're goin'. This guide also provides a behind the scenes look at some of the cities that have spawned the greatest music of the genre and films that have contributed to the mystique which defines Country.For all you music lovers, mp3 users, or folks who are interested in discovering or rediscovering your country roots, this is a book you can't live without!
My Cross to Bear
by Gregg Allman Alan LightFor the first time, rock music icon Gregg Allman, one of the founding members of The Allman Brothers Band, tells the full story of his life and career in My Cross to Bear. No subject is taboo, as one of the true giants of rock ’n’ roll opens up about his Georgia youth, his long struggle with substance abuse, his string of bad marriages (including his brief union with superstar Cher), the tragic death of brother Duane Allman, and life on the road in one of rock’s most legendary bands.
My Curious and Jocular Heroes: Tales and Tale-Spinners from Appalachia
by Loyal JonesWe were going down the road, and we came to this house. There was a little boy standing by the road just crying and crying. We stopped, and we heard the biggest racket you ever heard up in the house. œWhat ™s the matter, son? œWhy, Maw and Paw are up there fightin ™. œWho is your Paw, son? œWell, that ™s what they are fightin ™ over. Brimming with ballads, stories, riddles, tall tales, and great good humor, My Curious and Jocular Heroes pays homage to four people who guided and inspired Loyal Jones ™s own study of Appalachian culture. His sharp-eyed portraits introduce a new generation to Bascom Lunsford, the pioneer behind the œmemory collections of song and story at Columbia University and the Library of Congress; the Sorbonne-educated collector and performer Josiah H. Combs; Cratis D. Williams, the legendary father of Appalachian studies; and the folklorist and master storyteller Leonard W. Roberts. Throughout, Jones highlights the tales, songs, jokes, and other collected nuggets that define the breadth of each man ™s research and repertoire.
My Dad Is a DJ
by Kathryn Erskine Keith Henry BrownNational Book Award winner Kathryn Erskine teams up with Keith Henry Brown on this lyrical picture book that celebrates music and Black identity.Trevor’s dad is a DJ, and he always picks the best music—tunes jivin’, beat drivin’, high fivin’!—he’s DJ Dap Daddy!But after his parents split up and Dad moves out, Trevor feels like the pitch doesn’t fit between them. Trevor has his own music now—hip-hop—and Dad can’t seem to let go of his old soul favorites. As the end-of-year dance approaches, Trevor and his father will have to find their new groove to get the party started.My Dad Is a DJ is a hip-hoppin’, beat boppin’, tunes poppin’, not stoppin’ story of a father and son’s shared love of music and each other.
My Damage: The Story of a Punk Rock Survivor
by Keith Morris Jim RulandKeith Morris is a true punk icon. No one else embodies the sound of Southern Californian hardcore the way he does. With his waist-length dreadlocks and snarling vocals, Morris is known the world over for his take-no-prisoners approach on the stage and his integrity off of it. Over the course of his forty-year career with Black Flag, the Circle Jerks, and OFF!, he's battled diabetes, drug and alcohol addiction, and the record industry...and he's still going strong.My Damage is more than a book about the highs and lows of a punk rock legend. It's a story from the perspective of someone who has shared the stage with just about every major figure in the music industry and has appeared in cult films like The Decline of Western Civilization and Repo Man. A true Hollywood tale from an L.A. native, My Damage reveals the story of Morris's streets, his scene, and his music-as only he can tell it.
My Dog Romeo
by Ziggy MarleyZiggy Marley's ode to his four-legged friend Romeo becomes a picture book that is sure to touch the hearts of dog lovers everywhere. "A delight for young readers . . . It’s sure to inspire a love of books, and warm and loving sto
My Dog Romeo
by Ziggy MarleyZiggy Marley’s ode to his four-legged friend Romeo becomes a picture book that is sure to touch the hearts of dog lovers everywhere. “A delight for young readers . . . It’s sure to inspire a love of books, and warm and loving storytime bonding between you and your child.” —Miami Times Online “My Dog Romeo”—a single on More Family Time, the follow-up children’s album to the GRAMMY Award–winning Family Time—is a playful and endearing tribute to Ziggy Marley’s beloved pet dog Romeo. Opening with Romeo’s barking, Marley sings of his great love and friendship with his four-legged friend. Now, with beautiful illustrations by Ag Jatkowska—illustrator of Marley’s debut picture book, I Love You Too—My Dog Romeo becomes a vibrant picture book that follows a child and a dog throughout their days, sharing their love of music and play. The perfect accompaniment to Marley’s charming children’s album, My Dog Romeo is sure to be a hit among young, old, and, of course, our furry friends.
My Effin' Life
by Geddy LeeThe long-awaited memoir, generously illustrated with never-before-seen photos, from the iconic Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, Rush bassist, and New York Times bestselling author of Geddy Lee's Big Beautiful Book of Bass.Geddy Lee is one of rock and roll's most respected bassists. For nearly five decades, his playing and work as co-writer, vocalist and keyboardist has been an essential part of the success story of Canadian progressive rock trio Rush. Here for the first time is his account of life inside and outside the band.Long before Rush accumulated more consecutive gold and platinum records than any rock band after the Beatles and the Rolling Stones, before the seven Grammy nominations or the countless electrifying live performances across the globe, Geddy Lee was Gershon Eliezer Weinrib, after his grandfather was murdered in the Holocaust.As he recounts the transformation, Lee looks back on his family, in particular his loving parents and their horrific experiences as teenagers during World War II.He talks candidly about his childhood and the pursuit of music that led him to drop out of high school.He tracks the history of Rush which, after early struggles, exploded into one of the most beloved bands of all time.He shares intimate stories of his lifelong friendships with bandmates Alex Lifeson and Neil Peart—deeply mourning Peart’s recent passing—and reveals his obsessions in music and beyond.This rich brew of honesty, humor, and loss makes for a uniquely poignant memoir.
My Family and Other Rock Stars: ‘An insane amount of fun' Andrew Miller
by Tiffany Murray'Gloriously tender and funny . . . with My Family and Other Rock Stars, Murray has written a bohemian rhapsody of her very own' SUNDAY TIMES BOOK OF THE WEEK'A love letter to a remarkable childhood' SARAH WINMAN'Full of pop gossip that'll leave you starry-eyed, and written with a warmth and precision you'll want to savour for as long as you can . . . I didn't want it to end' SÉAMAS O'REILLY 'Funny, vivid and touching . . . An utter treat' RACHEL JOYCE____________________________________________________________________________In a small corner of a field in Wales, Tiffany Murray is hiding with Boggle the dog, dreaming of her mum's moussaka, blackberry and apple crumble, and, if she's lucky, ice-cold lemonade. A sheep bleats. The smell of hay tickles her nose. The twang of a guitar and crack of a snare carry on the breeze.It's the late 1970s and Tiff lives with her mum, Joan, at Rockfield, the iconic recording studios. This place of legend, where some of the most famous rock albums of all time were recorded, is the background to a freewheeling, ever-changing whirlwind of a childhood. Tiff's days are spent running around the farm, making friends with local wildlife and helping out with the endless array of dishes her mum creates to keep the bands fed. She's looking for a dog, she's looking for a father; but the one constant throughout is her and Joan, building an unconventional family in the most unlikely of locations.My Family and Other Rock Stars is Tiff's remarkable, truly unique story of growing up in a rural idyll, of Cordon Bleu cookery and of a childhood where the chances of bumping into Freddie Mercury playing piano, or a group of Hell's Angels turning up to record for Lemmy, or even the hope of David Bowie appearing, were as normal as hopscotch and homework.My Family and Other Rock Stars was the Sunday Times book of the week 12.05.2024
My Family and Other Rock Stars: ‘An insane amount of fun' Andrew Miller
by Tiffany Murray'Gloriously tender and funny . . . with My Family and Other Rock Stars, Murray has written a bohemian rhapsody of her very own' SUNDAY TIMES BOOK OF THE WEEK'A love letter to a remarkable childhood' SARAH WINMAN'Full of pop gossip that'll leave you starry-eyed, and written with a warmth and precision you'll want to savour for as long as you can . . . I didn't want it to end' SÉAMAS O'REILLY 'Funny, vivid and touching . . . An utter treat' RACHEL JOYCE____________________________________________________________________________In a small corner of a field in Wales, Tiffany Murray is hiding with Boggle the dog, dreaming of her mum's moussaka, blackberry and apple crumble, and, if she's lucky, ice-cold lemonade. A sheep bleats. The smell of hay tickles her nose. The twang of a guitar and crack of a snare carry on the breeze.It's the late 1970s and Tiff lives with her mum, Joan, at Rockfield, the iconic recording studios. This place of legend, where some of the most famous rock albums of all time were recorded, is the background to a freewheeling, ever-changing whirlwind of a childhood. Tiff's days are spent running around the farm, making friends with local wildlife and helping out with the endless array of dishes her mum creates to keep the bands fed. She's looking for a dog, she's looking for a father; but the one constant throughout is her and Joan, building an unconventional family in the most unlikely of locations.My Family and Other Rock Stars is Tiff's remarkable, truly unique story of growing up in a rural idyll, of Cordon Bleu cookery and of a childhood where the chances of bumping into Freddie Mercury playing piano, or a group of Hell's Angels turning up to record for Lemmy, or even the hope of David Bowie appearing, were as normal as hopscotch and homework.My Family and Other Rock Stars was the Sunday Times book of the week 12.05.2024
My Favorite Band Does Not Exist
by Robert T. JeschonekSixteen-year-old genius Idea Deity believes that he exists only in the pages of a novel written by a malevolent, omnipotent author . . . and that he will die in chapter 64. Meanwhile, an older teen named Reacher Mirage sings lead vocals for the undercover rock band Youforia . . . a band that exists in Idea's world only as an Internet hoax that Idea himself perpetuated. Then there's beautiful and mysterious Eunice Truant, who links their destinies. When Idea and Reacher plunge into the reality of Fireskull's Revenant, the twisted epic fantasy novel they've both been reading, chapter 64 bears down on them like a speeding freight train on an unstoppable collision course. Being trapped in a bad book can be a nightmare. Just ask Idea Deity.
My First 79 Years
by Isaac Stern Chaim PotokRenowned violinist Isaac Stern shares both his personal and his artistic experiences -- the story of his rise to eminence, his feelings about music and the violin, his rich emotional life, his great friendships and collaborations with colleagues such as Leonard Bernstein and Pablo Casals, his background as an ardent supporter of Israel, and his ideas and beliefs about art, life, love, and the world we live in. He and writer Chaim Potok spent a year talking and sharing their perceptions, and as a result, Stern's voice comes through persuasively as the musician and humanitarian loved and admired worldwide.
My First Piano Lessons: Fun, Easy-to-Follow Instructions for Kids
by Emily NorrisLearn how fun playing the piano is—with this book of easy, step-by-step lessons for young learners!My First Piano Lessons is the perfect starting point for your little musician, with its clear instructions, colorful illustrations, and supportive approach. Written by an experienced piano teacher, this book covers everything a beginner pianist needs to know, from proper hand position to the basics of reading music, all in an enjoyable and easy-to-understand way. And with 10 beloved and popular songs to learn and focus on, your kid will be confidently playing the piano in no time! Whether your child is just starting their music journey or has already taken a few lessons, this beginner-friendly book is the perfect tool to unlock—and nurture—their love for the piano. · Simple and intuitive piano lessons. Learn the basics of reading music, from key names and note values to time signatures and dynamics. · Clear, step-by-step instructions. Written by a piano expert and experienced teacher of young kids. · An engaging and adorable giraffe teacher. G-sharp the Giraffe makes learning fun with encouraging words, helpful tips, and interesting facts about music. · Songs that kids already know and love. Learn to play &“Hot Cross Buns,&” &“Mary Had a Little Lamb,&” &“The Wheels on the Bus,&” &“Pop Goes the Weasel,&” and more!
My First Piano Sheet Music: Easy, Fun-to-Play Popular Songs for Kids
by Emily NorrisGrow your child&’s piano-playing skills with these familiar, fun, and easy-to-learn songs!My First Piano Sheet Music is the perfect songbook for budding piano players, with 40 beginner-friendly tunes, clear music notation, and helpful hand positions for every song. Compiled by an experienced piano teacher, the songs naturally progress from simple, right-hand-only songs to ones that use both hands. With letter names for each note, your kid can easily learn to play the songs and practice their music reading. Whether your little one is just starting their piano journey or is looking for more songs to add to their repertoire, My First Piano Sheet Music will boost their piano-playing confidence—all while having fun! Simple songs for beginners. A wide variety of music, including nursery rhymes, folk songs, popular songs, and classical tunes.Hand positions for every song. So kids know where to put their hands and which notes will be played in each song.Easy-to-follow music notation. Letters for each note, along with some finger numbers, help kids easily learn to play the songs—and build their music-reading skills.Familiar tunes kids will love to play. Learn to play &“Hokey Pokey,&” &“Jingle Bells,&” &“Yankee Doodle,&” &“On Top of Spaghetti,&” &“Bingo,&” &“Happy Birthday,&” &“Ode to Joy,&” and more!A companion to My First Piano Lessons. Looking for more piano help? Check out My First Piano Lessons by the same author for easy, step-by-step piano tutorials.
My First Songs (Sesame Street)
by Random HouseSing &“Old MacDonald&” and lots of other songs with Baby Elmo and his friends.Sing 12 classic nursery songs with Elmo and his Sesame Street friends! This sturdy board book invites girls and boys ages 1 to 3 to sing along with their favorite Sesame Street Muppets, including Grover, Big Bird, Cookie Monster, Zoe, Bert, Ernie, Telly, Herry Monster, Betty Lou, and Baby Bear. A dozen charmingly illustrated songs make looking and reading as much fun as singing. Sesame Street first harnessed the power of media to educate children more than four decades ago, changing children&’s television forever. Populated with furry creatures and a diverse cast, it was the first show of its kind and provided a blueprint for educational media for generations. There are more than 90 million Sesame Street &“graduates&” in the United States alone, and fans old and young can find their favorite fuzzy friends on PBS, HBO, Sesame&’s award-winning website and chart-topping YouTube channels, as well as in books, toys, apps, healthy foods, and other products that benefit preschoolers and their families. Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit educational organization behind Sesame Street, aims to help kids grow smarter, stronger, and kinder through its many unique domestic and international initiatives. These projects cover a wide array of topics, which address specific needs, such as girls&’ education, financial empowerment, and autism. In 2019, Sesame Street will celebrate its 50th year of distributing quality educational content to families around the world. Sesame Street is the most trusted name in early learning.
My Friend Michael: An Ordinary Friendship with an Extraordinary Man
by Frank CascioEveryone knows Michael Jackson—the myth. This is the revealing true story of Michael Jackson—the man.To Frank Cascio, Michael Jackson was many things—second father, big brother, boss, mentor, and teacher, but most of all he was a friend. Though Cascio was just a few years old when he first met Jackson in 1984, at the peak of the pop star’s career, Jackson was at the center of his life for the next twenty-five years, allowing Cascio to observe firsthand the greatest entertainer the world had ever seen. In that time, he became the ultimate Michael Jackson insider, yet remained publicly silent about his experiences. Until now. In My Friend Michael, Cascio refutes the rumors, lies, and accusations that have accumulated over the years, providing a candid look at the Michael Jackson he knew for more than two decades. Offering an uplifting and definitive account of the legend, Cascio details how he grew up alongside Jackson, traveling the world with him on concert tours and eventually working for him. Through this lens, Cascio captures Jackson’s most private and tumultuous moments, while also setting the record straight on the entertainer’s notorious and misunderstood lifestyle—from his Peter Pan reality and his sexuality to the false allegations against him. As Cascio shows, there was a great deal more to Michael Jackson than the headlines about him have suggested. Cascio reveals his friend in all his complexity, bringing to light his passions and joys as well as his flaws and eccentricities. Including stories about Jackson that have never before been made public, Cascio creates a balanced, human look at the pop star, one that shows Jackson as the very real person he was—a lively friend with an endearingly juvenile sense of humor. What emerges is a clear-eyed yet deeply respectful portrait of Jackson—a man who was at times unremarkably average but also terribly scarred by his life in the spotlight. Packed with never-before-seen photos, anecdotes, and insights, My Friend Michael is a trove of Michael Jackson lore that both celebrates his life and redefines our understanding of the man behind the myth.
My Heart is Bleeding: The Life of Dorothy Squires
by Johnny TudorAs a young girl toiling in a South Wales tin works, Dorothy Squires dreamt of being a singing star, but was ridiculed by all around her. At the tender age of sixteen she escaped the valleys and boarded a train for London. It was here that she met and fell in love with songwriter and band leader Billy Reid, the older man who was to make her a star. The pair became an international success, but the relationship foundered, and Dorothy found herself falling in love with the much younger Roger Moore, a struggling actor who she would spend all her time establishing as a star. Written by Dorothy’s good friend JOHNNY TUDOR, this fascinating first biography of a Welsh singing phenomenon is an unprecedented insight into the glitz and glamour of 1940s and ’50s Hollywood and Dorothy’s triumphant comeback in the 1960s and ’70s.
My House of Memories (For the Record with Tom Carter)
by Merle Haggard Tom CarterIn this riveting personal story, the award-winning, bestselling recording artist takes you on a tour through his house of memories, offering a fascinating look inside his turbulent and successful life. Merle reveals previously untold stories about his birth and troubled upbringing in a converted railroad boxcar. He recalls the loss of his father when he was nine, and how his childish disobedience transformed into full-blown delinquency that landed him behind the cold walls of San Quentin. Having lived a life shaped by violence, gambling, and drugs, he shares the lessons he learned and how he continues to pay for decades of reckless living. He pays tribute to his mother, and relives the painful memory of her death. And he talks about the music he loves, and how it has ultimately defined the man he is.
My Infamous Life: The Autobiography of Mobb Deep's Prodigy (Playaway Adult Nonfiction Ser.)
by Albert Prodigy" Johnson Laura CheckowayFrom one of the greatest rappers of all time, a memoir about a life almost lost and a revealing look at the dark side of hip hop's Golden Era . . . In this often violent but always introspective memoir, Mobb Deep's Prodigy tells his much anticipated story of struggle, survival, and hope down the mean streets of New York City. For the first time, he gives an intimate look at his family background, his battles with drugs, his life of crime, his relentless suffering with sickle-cell anemia, and much more. Recently released after serving three and a half years in state prison due to what many consider an unlawful arrest by a rumored secret NYPD hip hop task force, Prodigy is ready to talk about his life as one of rap's greatest legends. My Infamous Life is an unblinking account of Prodigy's wild times with Mobb Deep who, alongside rappers like Nas, The Notorious B.I.G., Tupac Shakur, Jay-Z, and Wu-Tang Clan, changed the musical landscape with their vivid portrayals of early '90s street life. It is a firsthand chronicle of legendary rap feuds like the East Coast-West Coast rivalry; Prodigy's beefs with Jay-Z, Nas, Snoop Dogg, Ja Rule, and Capone-N-Noreaga; and run-ins with prodigal hit makers and managers like Puff Daddy, Russell Simmons, Chris Lighty, Irv Gotti, and Lyor Cohen. Taking the reader behind the smoke-and-mirrors glamour of the hip hop world, so often seen as the only way out for those with few options, Prodigy lays down the truth about the intoxicating power of money, the meaning of true friendship and loyalty, and the ultimately redemptive power of self. This is the heartbreaking journey of a child born in privilege, his youth spent among music royalty like Diana Ross and Dizzy Gillespie, educated in private schools, until a family tragedy changed everything. Raised in the mayhem of the Queensbridge projects, Prodigy rose to the dizzying heights of fame and eventually fell into the darkness of a prison cell. A truly candid memoir, part fearless confessional and part ode to the concrete jungles of New York City, My Infamous Life is written by a man who was on the front line of the last great moment in hip hop history and who is still fighting to achieve his very own American Dream.
My Jesus: From Heartache to Hope
by Anne Wilson"Whatever you are feeling, God can handle it--all of it. The tears, screams, and questions. God invites you to let Him tend to your heart."In the bluegrass fields of Kentucky, Anne Wilson and her siblings, Jacob and Elizabeth, grew up in the security and love of their family--and Jesus. But when Jacob died in a car accident, Anne was thrust into a painful journey of grief and soul-wrestling that led to God calling her to create songs that glorified Him.My Jesus weaves together Anne's personal story with an encouraging message to anyone longing for God to wipe away their tears.No matter what season of life you're facing, My Jesus comes alongside you to:Show how God can bring purpose out of lossOffer hope in the midst of heartbreakRemind you that God never abandons youDiscover the beauty that can emerge from suffering as you read Anne's story of growing closer to the God who always makes a way.Praise for My Jesus:"I love how Anne Wilson invites us into the cracks and crevices of her life and how she built her life on Jesus. My Jesus is personal, and it takes you on a journey through some of the most foundational parts of Anne's life that develop into a large picture where it is so clear that God was the artist of it all. As I read through each page, I felt like I was at coffee with Anne, hearing her story."--Sadie Robertson Huff, author, speaker, and founder of Live Original"The song 'My Jesus' has impacted so many of our lives in such important ways. Reading this book, being in the moments with Anne and her family, and hearing her faith rise up when her heart was broken, Anne has told a true and deep story that we all need to read."--Annie F. Downs, New York Times bestselling author of That Sounds Fun