Troy "Cyniquian" Level Poster Username: Troy
Post Number: 388 Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A Votes: 0 (Vote!) | Posted on Monday, June 26, 2006 - 12:49 am: |
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Tattoos on My Soul: From the Ghetto to the Top of the World by Burrel Lee Wilks III I met Burrel at BEA 2006. His story is truly fascinating and in many ways is just beginning. Below is a review of Burrel's book by the ALA: Wilks calls himself a "master of being alive" and backs up that claim with an incredible story of his transformation from a drug dealer and hustler to a personal life coach. Wilks grew up on Chicago's West Side, where his father, a sanitation worker, sold drugs off the back of the garbage truck. At a young age, Wilks' father blew marijuana smoke in his face and set him to counting cash. By the age of 16, Wilks was living on his own and embarking on a career as a dealer, pimp, and hustler. He recalls friendships with Chicago Mob figure Tony "Big Tuna" Accardo and with pimps called Don Juan and the Godfather. Many of his compatriot young hustlers died violent deaths. Wilks combines street smarts and business savvy, making frequent references to the highly acclaimed Freakonomics (2005). Readers interested in gritty urban culture and survival stories will enjoy this story of personal transformation. Vanessa Bush Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved Below you will find a video of an interview I did with Burrel at BEA This is the first of a series of video interviews I plan to publish on the AALBC.com web site. These videos are a collaborative effort with Relentless Content and represent a definite improvement over my solo 2005 effort. I can use you feedback regarding how this video displays. Don't bother trying to watch the video if you do not have a high speed connection. I can compress the video more, but this will effect the quality. It is tough to find the right balance. Lurkers, email me directly: troy@aalbc.com you opinion counts too! Video Interview with Burrel Lee Wilks III (copy and paste the link below into your browser) mms://media.writersandpoets.com/writersandpoets/wilks.wmv Contest Name all 4 people in this photograph. Email me troy@aalbc.com your answer. The first correct answer received will get a copy of Tattoos on My Soul: From the Ghetto to the Top of the World Hint: Basketball Fans should have not problem with this one Buy the Book http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0976873605/ref=nosim/aalbccom-20
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