Tupac Shakur The Authorized Biography

Tupac Shakur is a touching, empathetic portrait of a friend. Even familiar stories achieve new intimacy at closer range. And small moments help clarify longstanding narratives, coloring in the outlines of this well-known tale of the actor-rapper-activist who died at 25 . . . [I]t astutely chronicles his life as a microcosm of the ongoing Black American struggle . . . Robinson spends [the book s] pages advocating not only for Tupac s integrity, but for the spirit of Black resistance he embodied . . . At its best, the book feels like a plea to re-examine the world that made Tupac Shakur so angry. The New York Times
 
If you want to read a single comprehensive narrative of [Tupac Shakur's] life, written with love, this authorized bio, is a seminal text. Nelson George, author and filmmaker

Robinson perfectly captures [Tupac s] everyday moments. Strangely, on balance, you almost feel like you re reading about the life of an ordinary person. . . . [She] gives us a portrait of the artist as a young man, a restless spirit convinced of the greatness of his destiny, if unsure of his destination. The Washington Post

A must-see for [Tupac] fans [with] loads of colorful details about his life . . . The author is at her best in her descriptions of Shakur s ambitions, intense work ethic, and dislike of authority . . . as well as his family life. . . . This authorized biography of Shakur is intimate and personal. Kirkus Reviews

[A] riveting account . . . Robinson [sets] out a faithful and detailed portrait of an artist dedicated to helping others achieve freedom from oppression. Enriched by invaluable excerpts from the rapper s notebooks and sketch pads, this will have hip-hop devotees enthralled. Publishers Weekly