This man named SHOATZ. Yes. Had a very interesting life. He grew up in the ghetto in Philadelphia. He ran with gangs. He also became a black panther as well. This was during the sixties when things were starting to change in america. His first marriage didn't do very well because he was working hard.But things just didn't work out for him Yes, 2 children buy this woman and she was very hard on him as well. So they broke up and he did get to see the children sometimes.. It did different things, but guard. Got killed at a park station and life started to get really crazy from. HIM. He hit out as long as he could and then. G e t arrested. He was also with another woman and had a child with her.But he did not believe in marriage at that point. He was in prison for a long time and he did a lot of things. There, but he also kept escaping.. It turned his life around in prison when he became part of the muslim movement. This was an interesting book to see how people can change over time. It was hard for these people in the 60s.Because a lot of the blue collar jobs we're going away. This took a lot of courage to mention this in a book and i'm really proud of him

Russell Melvin Shoatz II was a gang member in Philly starting at age 11. At 23 years old, his life changed after hearing Malcolm X speak. He became a soldier in the most militant unit of the Black Liberation Army and a community organizer. Shoatz was convicted to life in prison following a coordinated attack on the Philadelphia Fairmount Park Guard Station.

But if the government—under its watchful eye of the Black Panthers and Black militant groups—thought it could keep Shoatz caged, then they fucked around and found out. He escaped state prisons twice, making him a living legend. Hence the nickname "Maroon," once used to honor runaway slaves. He meticulously planned, succeeded and never gave up the fight for freedom. He was a prisoner for 47+ years, spending 22 of those years in the Hole (solitary confinement) which prompted an international campaign for his freedom.

I won't spoil this true story. You just have to read it yourself when you're in the right mind space. It will take you on an emotional ride while reading. I felt sympathy, empathy, anger, vengeance and hope all within its 350 pages.

I Am Maroon reads like an action movie! I was all in, hanging on the edge of my reading chair or sitting up in bed, holding my breath. This was especially true during the retelling of his escapes or planning. In one particular section, I felt like I was standing right next to him in the cold contemplating the next best step literally. If Shoatz's words were this profound, imagine how intense and captivating his conversations were. The thought brings chills.

Bookhearts, I recommend this memoir! It is not your ordinary story of a Black Panther as I assumed upon downloading the advance copy. It is the true uncensored story of a political prisoner, the system and survival of the mind. Shoatz's story of justice and redemption is worth reading.

Happy Early Pub Day, Russell Shoatz! I Am Maroon will be available Tuesday, September 3.

Disclaimer: An advance copy was received directly from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions are my own and would be the same if I spent my hard-earned coins. ~LiteraryMarie