A great, inspirational book in times like these (2020). Williams wants the reader to keep going and whether you want to raise your fist or help a person cross the street, do it bc we are all here to help each other out.

Mother Nature is what it’s all about; the patriarchy needs to die. There has been way too many abuses on our ravaged land. It is time to unite our efforts into one. Great concepts and ideas by Williams.

Absolutely brilliant. I have seen him live and even without music he has enough charisma to fill a room with expectation and hold rapt their attention. What an amazing wordsmith for I refuse to believe that he is anything less than a master craftsman who creates these words with a deliberate passion. I will never be able to say enough good about this book. At my work I have shared a few quotes from this book and people always ask me where it came from. He has the same power of words as renowned lyricist Bob Dylan, an uncanny way of saying what he means without coming out and saying it but leaving it up to you. Incredible. I would give it more stars if they were available.

5 Stars are for masterpieces. This is a masterpiece.

what the heck so relevant. didn't know how badly I needed this in my life until now.

I'm not really sure why I kept putting this off. I already know that I will constantly be rereading this over the years. I don't think I can properly give it a rating but I decided to give it 5 stars on Goodreads so more people are encouraged to pick it up.

I read the finnish translation, which was skillfully made, but I am also left wishing I could get my hands on an english copy. Between the layers of meaning and metaphor which I am still not very skilled at parcing and the translated text, I am left feeling like there is meaning here that is being lost to me. Much like always, I will conclude then that that is all the more reason to eventually return to this. I enjoyed it though, the themes of love, war and religion are presented in extremely compelling ways. I found myself especially moved by the dedication at the end. I am breathing in with you saul williams, I feel it too.

i read this when i was 12 or 13 and remember nothing about is other than absolutely not getting it at all and being so confused why everyone cried and raved over it

Chapter 7, made audible and set to music as "Bloodletting," was my first exposure to Saul Williams back in 2007. I remember choosing it for an English class poetry show and tell, basically. My teacher, an elderly, old school white woman, had so much discomfort on her face when it was done. I remember vividly her saying, "William Shakespeare must be rolling in her grave." Her uneasiness and that rave review solidified in my mind how well Saul Williams had succeed in his ability to shake and question.

Reading through this tome, I experienced a gamut of feelings. Anger, nostalgia, love, the kind of inflammatory call to action only previously inspired by Zack de la Rocha. Saul's voice is one so desperately needed now, then, likely forever.

4.5
Feminist street prophet who loves a good pash

Amazing!!!


"menstrual minstrels
footing your own bill
of right left right
marching blindly
into moonless night
another dimension
where children use chalk
on the sidewalk
tracing their bodies
for the precriminal investigation
of their paternal inheritance:
murder!"

Wow.

What a powerhouse of a poem. Enchanting from cover to cover.

I was confused yet entranced the whole way through. A must for everyone, but be ready to bask in the not knowing.