![]() ![]() Having read the book multiple times I can understand a lot more of that period. Whilst the author entertains that notion in the book, I still believe that if these incidents did not happen that he would have probably went into a life of crime anyway. Later in the book a psychiatrist makes the connection that this experience (along with a betrayal involving his mother) could have been the catalyst that potentially made Slim subconsciously hate women, and led to him pursuing the path of becoming a pimp. The first page sets the tone for the rest of the book as Slim recounts how he was ‘Georgied’ (sexually assaulted) by his female babysitter when he was just three years old. Iceberg Slim, photographed through the years. Most of all I wish to become a decent example for my children and for the wonderful woman in the grave, my mother.‘ Perhaps one day I can win respect as a constructive human being. Perhaps my remorse for my ghastly life will diminish to the degree that within this one book I have been allowed to purge myself. Unfortunately it would require the combined pages of a half-dozen books. I regret that it is impossible to recount to you all of my experiences as a pimp. The account of my brutality and cunning as a pimp will fill many of you with revulsion, however if one intelligent valuable young man or woman can be saved from the destructive slime then the displeasure I have given will have been outweighed by that individual’s use of his potential in a socially constructive manner. ‘ In this book I will take you the reader with me into the secret inner world of the pimp. ![]() In fairness to Iceberg Slim (born Robert Lee Maupin, later to become known as Robert Beck) the Preface is a confession and a warning as well as an apology of what you are about to read: Feminists would probably want to burn the book, and to their credit, I wouldn’t blame them. It is not a book for everyone I’d imagine the majority of women will probably be repulsed by its raw and honest retelling of one man’s desire to be the best pimp that ever walked the earth. It is a fascinating and captivating read, one that is full of haunting imagery and desperation, with moments of glory that are always overshadowed by the protagonist’s chosen profession. Iceberg Slim’s memoir is exactly that the story of his life and rise to Pimp stardom in Chicago from the late ’30s onward. I mean, sure, there were documentaries and TV dramas on prostitution and the exploitation of women, but never before was there a story from the pimp’s point of view. It immersed me (and still does) into a world I had never really seen before with such detail and honesty. I first read it in 2000 and I have re-read it at least six times since then. Pimp: The Story of My Life will always be one of my favourite books of all time. ![]()
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