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D. Watkins
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The Beast Side: Living and Dying While Black in America Kindle Edition

by D. Watkins (Author), David Talbot (Foreword) Format: Kindle Edition
4.5 out of 5 stars 474 ratings
A New York Times Best Seller! Baltimore, one of our country’s quintessential urban war zones, is brought powerfully to life by literary talent, D. Watkins

To many, the past 8 years under President Obama were meant to usher in a new post-racial American political era, dissolving the divisions of the past. However, when seventeen-year-old Trayvon Martin was shot by a wannabe cop in Florida; and then Ferguson, Missouri, happened; and then South Carolina hit the headlines; and then Baltimore blew up, it was hard to find any evidence of a new post-racial order.

Suddenly the entire country seemed to be awakened to a stark fact: African American men are in danger in America. This has only become clearer as groups like Black Lives Matter continue to draw attention to this reality daily not only online but also in the streets of our nation’s embattled cities.

D. Watkins. fought his way up on the eastside (the “beastside”) of Baltimore, Maryland—or “Bodymore, Murderland,” as his friends call it. He writes openly and unapologetically about what it took to survive life on the streets while the casualties piled up around him, including his own brother. Watkins pushed drugs to pay his way through school, staying one step ahead of murderous business rivals and equally predatory lawmen. When black residents of Baltimore finally decided they had had enough—after the brutal killing of twenty-five-year-old Freddie Gray while in police custody—Watkins was on the streets as the city erupted. He writes about his bleeding city with the razor-sharp insights of someone who bleeds along with it. Here are true dispatches from the other side of America.

In this new paperback edition, the author has also added new material in a section title "Bonus Tracks", responding to the rising tide of racial resentment and hate embodied by political figures like Donald Trump and Ted Cruz as well as the heartbreaking killings of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile, and the impact this has had on issues of race in America. This book is essential reading for anyone trying to make sense of the chaos of our current political moment.
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  1. Print length
    210 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Hot Books
  4. Publication date
    September 8, 2015
  5. File size
    658 KB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Editorial Reviews

Review

“The 21st century Civil Rights era is upon us and one of the most compelling new voices to listen to is D. Watkins. The Beast Side is a riveting and important read no matter what your preconceived notions are on the state of race relations in America today.” —Chuck Todd, correspondent on NBC's Meet the Press

“Firing off dispatches from that part of the America we left behind, D. Watkins is making a definitive argument for so many men and women ruthlessly marginalized by a society that fails to measure itself on any humane terms. This is a Baltimore voice in angry service of other unheard Baltimore voices, and The Beast Side is, by extension, a blunt, eloquent argument for the forgotten in our cities. He has arrived, and by the sound of things, he is here to hold us all to account.” —David Simon, author of The Corner and creator of HBO’s The Wire

“D. Watkins is a very sharp young talent who transformed himself from a dealer on the streets to an adjunct professor, and most important, to a leading voice of his generation who is determined to see justice for the black community. The Beast Side is raw, intelligent, and at times humorous—and a necessary narrative in these challenging times!” —Michael Eric Dyson, author of The Black Presidency: Barack Obama and the Politics of Race in America

“D. Watkins has emerged as a powerful new voice just when America needs to hear his message. It’s the voice of all those in Baltimore, Ferguson, Charleston, Oakland, New York, Cleveland, and wherever another innocent life is lost. We all need to listen to what he has to say.” —Touré, author of Who’s Afraid of Post-Blackness?: What It Means to Be Black Now

“Brilliant. The Beast Side is just the latest illustration of why D. Watkins’s voice is so important to our community. Understand his words, and let’s work to make our community better.” —Wes Moore, New York Times bestselling author of The Work and The Other Wes Moore

“D. Watkins unveils America’s dirty secret of what it is like for so many to live as an African American in our country. He captures the pain, blood, sweat, and tears faced by millions of young black Americans each day and offers clear solutions on how to move our nation forward.” —Valeisha Butterfield Jones, founder and CEO of the Women in Entertainment Empowerment Network

“Sharp, witty, and worth the read for young black people who are starving for justice and ready to change the world they live in. Always engaging, The Beast Side is written with fire, rage, and intelligence from a young but extremely wise game changer.” —Tracey D. Syphax, 2014 White House Champion of Change

“The Beast Side is an honest, sobering exploration of blackness in the context of Baltimore and the unrest. And Watkins is a skilled storyteller, giving voice to a range of hard truths about the impact of state violence on the lives of black people in inner-city Baltimore. Watkins’s authentic storytelling is his hallmark.” —DeRay Mckesson, activist for We the Protestors

“D. Watkins, a seasoned writer with indisputable talent and skills, gives a detailed account of living on the ‘Other Side’ of Baltimore. Armed with a relentless spirit and uplifting message, Watkins’s words give today’s generation a sense of purpose and a chance to rise from the unruly streets of America’s Baltimore.” —Rahiem Shabazz, award-winning filmmaker of the documentary series Elementary Genocide

“Tally had his corner and D. Watkins has his ‘stoop.’ The Beast Side is D. Watkins’s sociohistorical examination of black lives in the United States juxtaposed against his upbringing in Baltimore. Through his account we discover a poignant and unadulterated story about the systematic way black lives don’t matter and how the challenges for African Americans are much deeper and pervasive than people will admit. His book is required reading!” —Dr. Byron E. Price, professor at Medgar Evers College of the City University of New York

“With his unsentimental prose and sharp eye for detail, Watkins takes you to his stoop in East Baltimore, the so-called beast side...What helps the arguments in Watkins’s essays hit home are the sobering and enlightening slices of life and characters he weaves throughout...By the end, you’re left with an advanced understanding of this man’s love for the community that formed him, and how neighborhoods such as East Baltimore fit into the national debate for social change.” –Baltimore Magazine

"The twin pillars of his résumé—not one but two graduate degrees from the region’s finest universities on the one hand, gun-totin’ drug dealer on the other—give Watkins cred that’s hard to argue with. Indeed, he’s strongest when he describes the disconnect between the two Baltimores he has navigated so adroitly." —The Washington Post

About the Author

Cam Higgins wrote her very first book about a cat who lived in an alleyway when she was eight years old. As a child, she loved visiting a neighboring farm and seeing all the animals. Now Cam has a pup of her own, who is very mischievous, and she still loves writing about animals.? Cam lives in New York City with her two children, her husband, and Laila the dog.

As soon as Ariel Landy learned how to draw a sky beyond a blue scribbled line, she knew she wanted to be an illustrator. Although raised on coloring books and crayons outside of Boston, she now lives in New York City. Working digitally, Ariel aims to create illustrations that are imaginative, whimsical and original; characters and scenes that would make a child put down an iPad and pick up a book. She is constantly drawn to themes of the underdog (sometimes an actual dog), human-animal friendships, and adventure within imagination.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0140EFH0O
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Hot Books; Reprint edition (September 8, 2015)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ September 8, 2015
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 658 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 210 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 out of 5 stars 474 ratings

About the author

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D. Watkins

D. Watkins

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D. Watkins is the New York Times bestselling and award-winning author of The Beast Side, The Cook Up, Where Tomorrows Aren’t Promised, and We Speak for Ourselves—which was Enoch Pratt Free Library’s 2020 One Book Baltimore selection. His newest book, Black Boy Smile, was released in May.

Watkins is Editor-at-Large for Salon. He is a writer on the HBO mini-series We Own This City and hosts the show’s companion podcast. Additionally, he was featured in the HBO documentary, The Slow Hustle. His work has been published in the New York Times, Esquire, New York Times Magazine, The Guardian, Rolling Stone, and other publications.

Watkins is a college lecturer at the University of Baltimore, where he earned an MFA in Creative Writing. He also holds a Master of Education degree from Johns Hopkins University.

Some of Watkins' awards include the Johns Hopkins Distinguished Alumnus Award, the BMe Genius Grant for Dynamic Black Leaders, the City Lit Dambach Award for Service to the Literary Arts, the Maryland Library Association’s William Wilson Maryland Author Award, and Ford’s Men of Courage Award for Black Male Storytellers. He was also a finalist for a 2016 Hurston Wright Legacy Award, and The Cook Up was a 2017 Books for a Better Life finalist.

He lives in Baltimore, MD with his wife and daughter.

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
474 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book insightful, with one noting how it adds perspective to academic tomes. Moreover, the writing style receives praise for its poetic language and accessibility, while the storytelling is filled with great stories, with one review highlighting it as a compelling memoir of life in Baltimore. Additionally, customers appreciate the book's honesty and heartfelt approach.

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37 customers mention "Insight"37 positive0 negative

Customers find the book insightful, with one noting how it provides vivid observations and another highlighting its valuable perspective on inner city life.

"...Smart, wise, willing to fight but unwilling to kill, Watkins went to college, only to drop out within months when it failed to enlighten, inspire,..." Read more

"...(and Dying) While Black in America by D. Watkins is an outstanding collection of essays that speaks upon the current climate of our American society..." Read more

"...The book is HONEST, OPEN and VERY REAL! The perspectives he offers challenge all sides...." Read more

"...2. A safe place for young people after school or during the summer; 3. Positive role models...." Read more

36 customers mention "Readability"36 positive0 negative

Customers find the book highly readable and important, with one customer noting it's a quick but memorable read.

"...It's entertaining as hell, propelled with vivid language and sharp, smart detail...." Read more

"...What really makes this a compelling read, is Watkins' balance to speak a language that every and anyone who picks up the book can understand...." Read more

"...Beast Side quickly, even with my limited time and I have to say it's the best, most real, and most disheartening tale (or series of tales) I've read..." Read more

"A book well worth reading. The author gives a glimpse into life, growing up as an African American in Baltimore...." Read more

31 customers mention "Writing style"31 positive0 negative

Customers praise the writing style of the book, finding it easy to read and intelligently composed with poetic language.

"...injects energy, color and humor into everything he documents, bringing street scenes, college basketball games, and poker games to vivid life...." Read more

"...Watkins' writing is prolific as he effortlessly moves in between the first person, chronicling bits and pieces of his formative years and those..." Read more

"...in Baltimore for a few years and I can say It’s one of the most STUNNINGLY UNIQUE places I have ever dwelled...." Read more

"...quickly, even with my limited time and I have to say it's the best, most real, and most disheartening tale (or series of tales) I've read in a long..." Read more

15 customers mention "Storytelling"15 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the storytelling in the book, with one customer describing it as a vivid account of survival and growth, while another notes it provides a searing glimpse of inner city survival.

"...Watkins is a strong, clear writer, but he's unafraid to use heightened, even poetic language when called for...." Read more

"...Filled with great stories and examples of racism and racist systems in America, the author did a fantastic job of identifying the problem and..." Read more

"A gritty, down to earth and real account of the black experience in America...." Read more

"This was full of personal stories accompanied by well researched facts. Easy and interesting to read and taught me a lot...." Read more

7 customers mention "Heartfelt story"7 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the heartfelt story of the book, with one customer describing it as heartbreaking and another noting its disturbing truths.

"...and essay after essay is filled with difficult, fascinating, disturbing truths...." Read more

"...limited time and I have to say it's the best, most real, and most disheartening tale (or series of tales) I've read in a long time...." Read more

"...I enjoyed reading this book: At times, it invoked sadness, anger, and glimmers of hope!" Read more

"...I can relate on so many levels. It was honest and from the heart and wish this writer nothing but love and prosperity." Read more

3 customers mention "Honesty"3 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's honesty.

"...Listen to him. Watkins is incapable of dishonesty, and essay after essay is filled with difficult, fascinating, disturbing truths...." Read more

"...Its honest, real, raw & yet so intelligently written. I look forward to seeing this book make the NY Times Bestseller List soon." Read more

"I really enjoyed this book. I can relate on so many levels. It was honest and from the heart and wish this writer nothing but love and prosperity." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • M. Casarino
    5.0 out of 5 stars A vital and entertaining look at race, class, and education in America
    Reviewed in the United States on May 13, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    D. Watkins is a powerful American voice, and it feels like a gift that he's willing to share his perspective.

    The Beast Side is a collection of loosely-connected essays that offers Watkins' take on race, class, poverty, and education in this country. He has a unique eye; born and raised in East Baltimore, he grew up poor but happy until he saw his first murder as a young child. Smart, wise, willing to fight but unwilling to kill, Watkins went to college, only to drop out within months when it failed to enlighten, inspire, and challenge him. He turned to selling drugs, made all kinds of money, changed, saw more friends die, and miraculously, managed to get out of the game (read his riveting The Cook Up: A Crack Rock Memoir to learn more about this). And now he's back in his neighborhood, barely scraping by as an adjunct professor, doing everything he can to hold his neighborhood together and promote literacy while sharing what life is really like for the denizens of Bodymore, Murderland.

    Listen to him. Watkins is incapable of dishonesty, and essay after essay is filled with difficult, fascinating, disturbing truths. You'll learn just how hard everybody works in the 'hood, shattering stereotypes of lazy poor folks and "welfare queens." You'll learn how deeply the system is rigged, making it all but impossible for black men and women to escape poverty. You'll learn of the lack of dietary options in black neighborhoods that lead people to ingest the simple carbs, sugars, and saturated fats that lead to so many health problems. You'll learn about the stress of surviving in a world where shootings are common, violence goes down everywhere, and basic pop culture knowledge is a luxury out of reach for most. You'll learn how the school system discourages black kids from reading by refusing to assign books relevant to their lives - and you'll understand why literacy is what these kids, and adults, really crave. You'll learn.

    And most importantly, you'll learn why relations between black people and the police are so bad in poorer neighborhoods. Watkins, like all non-white denizens of the poorer sections Baltimore, has seen police physically and verbally abuse innocent people. He's seen them take bribes (often, his bribes) and place bets on popular "junkie fights" between husbands and wives. He's had his face slammed against cars and the sidewalk. He's had guns drawn on him for entering his own house. And he learned at a very young age never to call them. You don't have to agree with Watkins' view, but if you're listening, you'll understand how his experiences with police have led to resentment and distrust - and you'll realize he's far from alone.

    I hope I haven't made The Beast Side sound pedantic or preachy. It's entertaining as hell, propelled with vivid language and sharp, smart detail. Watkins is a strong, clear writer, but he's unafraid to use heightened, even poetic language when called for. He injects energy, color and humor into everything he documents, bringing street scenes, college basketball games, and poker games to vivid life. Really, the only fault with The Beast Side is its brevity, and that's the fault of the publisher, who claims from the start he's keeping this series of books to under 150 pages. So as soon as you read the last word in The Beast Side, you'll jump online, hoping he's published a new essay or two. Yes, there is hope in these pages, if you know how to look for it.
    18 people found this helpful
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  • Kevin Anglade
    4.0 out of 5 stars "East Side, Beast Side"
    Reviewed in the United States on June 9, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    The Beast Side: Living (and Dying) While Black in America by D. Watkins is an outstanding collection of essays that speaks upon the current climate of our American society while also providing vivid observations and insights to how we wound up where we are. Watkins' writing is prolific as he effortlessly moves in between the first person, chronicling bits and pieces of his formative years and those closest to him while also keeping a perspective that articulates the many issues of black civilians. From reading, it is apparent that the author, (born and raised in Baltimore's east side) is passionate about his environment and the city in general. Some of the topics Watkins touches upon are the Public Education System, Systemic Racism, Government Policy, Police Brutality, Mass Incarceration, Poverty, Drug Dealing, Gentrification, White Supremacy and the 08' Obama Campaign that promised change for all in America. What really makes this a compelling read, is Watkins' balance to speak a language that every and anyone who picks up the book can understand. As a result, anyone looking to delve into it will really feel apart of it and the many lessons that he as a writer and educator teaches due to accessibility through language. At the end of Chapter 8, "My City Is Gone" Watkins sits with privileged business folks (white men) on how to bring about a bigger and better Baltimore, one that speaks to a town of their liking and he responds by saying that his city is gone and that he no longer knows if it exists. The chapter closes with, "A wiry kid ran up to my window waving a squeegee stick just like my friends and I used to do back in the day. I rejected the wash, gave him $5 and said, "Ay Shorty, keep pushing, this will all make sense some day." He thanked me and nodded in agreement. I wasn't sure if I was talking to him or myself" (Watkins 63). Watkins expresses how we as American minorities have been feeling from the moment we arrived in the New World via slave ships. Maybe it will make sense, we just have to keep pushing to find out for ourselves.
    8 people found this helpful
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  • Nathia
    5.0 out of 5 stars Reading this was like overdue phone call from a old friend!
    Reviewed in the United States on January 31, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    I lived in Baltimore for a few years and I can say It’s one of the most STUNNINGLY UNIQUE places I have ever dwelled. This Baltimore native executed that same style in his writing. The book is HONEST, OPEN and VERY REAL! The perspectives he offers challenge all sides. Reading this book was like calling a old friend from “da city” and them giving me “real talk” about what’s going on in their life, the streets, and with the people.

    I recommend this book to new comers to Baltimore, teens, and college students. Anyone looking for a realistic perspective on the city.

    I had a very hard time loving Baltimore city but now that I’m gone I can’t wait to go back this book INSPIRES A LOVE FOR THE CITY and the black community to help heal It’s pain and make it belong to the people agin! (On my way!)
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Joan Lawrence
    4.0 out of 5 stars Four Stars
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 14, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    Good story line. Keeps your attention. Good read.
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  • Steve
    3.0 out of 5 stars Three Stars
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 10, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    boring read
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