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iceberg slim, also known as robert beck, was born in 1918, on august 4th. the adventurous journey of his life was reflected in his novels. iceberg slim and his story had the ability to connect with readers, many of whom can still connect with them, making iceberg slim an icon.
The writer was born in Chicago and spent his childhood in Wisconsin, Milwaukee and Illinois. After that, he returned to Chicago because his mother thought it was the best option after his father left them. he accepted that his mother was strong enough to make a living for them. she gave him almost all the privileges a middle-class kid would have, which was pretty rare at the time.
You are reading: Iceberg slim books in order
The writer became involved in the pimping profession at the age of 18. His cool temper in business and his slim figure earned him the nickname Iceberg Slim. in his autobiography, he openly admitted that, as a pimp, he was a ruthless and tough manager.
After going to prison and serving for 10 months, he realized he was too old for pimping. She decided to go to Los Angeles in 1961 and started a new life with Betty Shue. she would become his wife and the mother of his three daughters. He changed his name to Robert Beck and started working as an insecticide salesman.
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according to beck, his wife inspired and encouraged him to write about his life while he liked the idea of writing a novel. he at first thought of doing it as a collaboration, but then changed his mind. With sales figures of over two million copies sold, it turned out to be a good decision.
beck inspired many black writers and rappers like ice t and ice cube. His autobiographical novel ‘Pimp’ inspired a documentary in 2012. The documentary was called “Thin Iceberg: Portrait of a Pimp”.
The documentary charted the writer’s journey from a pimp in Chicago to the writer of seven novels that have sold around the world. his second novel, trick baby, was also made into a movie. The film was directed by Larry Yust and grossed a whopping $11,000,000 at the US box office. Beck passed away on April 28, 1992. He was 72 years old at the time of his death and it was revealed that diabetes and liver failure were the cause of his death.
his first book, ‘pimp’, was published in 1967. the best thing about this book was that it never tried to exalt his past or his profession. she wrote this as an autobiographical novel, so he was able to change the names of his friends that are mentioned, since most of them were still alive at the time. An example was his pimp friend who became Sweet Jones from Baby Bells. Raso, the notorious drug trafficker of the time became a glass cover.
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The writer’s personal experience helped him stay ahead of his contemporary writers. he was aware of the brutality and dangers of the underworld of that time. this gave him the advantage of portraying the reality firsthand of the underworld he once was a part of. the book gave insight into the world of ‘black pimps’ and was groundbreaking at the time of its release, the first such release. the writer showed how the oppression of white-dominated society pushed some black men into pimping and drug dealing.
The whole book shows the reality of the streets and black life of that time. the interesting thing about this book is that iceberg never tried to justify himself or his actions. he just told the stories of that time and what he was like on the streets of chicago. he tells you about the perks of that life, like money, girls, and hard-earned respect, but he also delves into the dangers that surrounded him. As a reader, he will get a feel for the life of a pimp at that time and understand how dangerous and terrible life was at that time. it is like a visit to a particular side of history that is not often talked about. the story becomes special when it comes from a man who has lived that story.
The second novel “trick baby” is somewhat enjoyable and depressing at the same time. In this novel, Iceberg also portrays his life story, but this time more on a personal note and a third-person view. The book tells of Johnny O’Brien, raised by his black mother and a white father. his father abandoned him in childhood and his mother ends up living in an insane asylum.
The real story begins when Johnny meets a boy they call “Blue” because of his pale skin. This black partner who looks like a white man gives Johnny the confidence to rip off the biggest groups. soon they began a journey full of tricks and dangers. the novel focuses on this journey and even gets funny in different parts. readers will understand the loneliness that is deeply ingrained in this journey.
The drama and dangers that come with the quest to survive speak to the darker sides of life at the time. once again, iceberg does not justify his actions, it only describes those with an open heart. the book offers a close view of the laws of the street that governed that era. you understand how the whites had the upper hand and how the blacks managed them. street language and real locations are what make this book an experience that is truly at its core.