The Wu-Tang Manual by The RZA, Chris Norris Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of The Wu-Tang Manual
Book Review: ABSOLUTELY ASTONISHING.
Summary: 5 Stars
The Wu-Tang Manual is akin to all the EU (Expanded Universe) novels, comic books, and publications related to the Star Wars franchise for a hip hop fan of one of the culture's biggest phenomenons ever. The Manual is chock full of EVERYTHING an intellectual listener and avid fan of the Wu would want to know: biographies, lyrics explanations, philosophy, music equipment, and spirituality.
The Wu-Tang started a new sound in hip hop in early '93: gritty, minimalistic, atonal, and lo-fi, all exemplified in the classic debut 'Enter: The Wu-Tang'. From then on, a legend was born: numerous solo albums from all nine members, even including the honorary tenth member Cappadonna, movies, television, touring, guest appearances on other artists' projects, RZA even composed music for the original soundtrack to the Tarantino's two-parter 'Kill Bill'. The Wu-Tang even have their own "Expanded Universe" of branch-off emcees and groups that rivals the amount of material in that of the Star Wars EU (e.g. Cilvaringz, Killah Priest, Sunz of Man, Black Knights, Killarmy, etc.). And they're STILL going strong with a slew of new albums already dropping (Ghost's awesome 'Fishscale', Sunz' 'Old Testament', etc.). The Wu-Tang Clan are HIP HOP LEGENDS, and this Manual chronicles the beginning of the movement all the way to the present, even chronicling the events that shaped the life of Robert Diggs (RZA), which would eventually also shape his movement.
To the initiated, [hip hop] heads know the Wu stand for something and they're some pretty deep brothers. RZA quotes everyone from Nietzsche to the Hagakure, a guide of bushido commentaries for the warrior (samurai). Being heavily into philosophy myself, I was really intrigued and exhilerated to read what some of the artist's actually meant behind some of their poetic verses. I saw this book at a mom 'n' pop store (Hasting's) in San Marcos and absolutely fell in love with it.
If you're into hip hop, you're more than likely a fan of the Wu as well, and if you are, YOU NEED THIS BOOK -- become more intimately knowledgeable of the legendary Clan and everything they stand for and how they came to be. "CLAN IN THE FRONT!"
Book Review: Absolutely essential for any Wu fan!!
Summary: 5 Stars
This brilliant book, written by the RZA (aka the Abbot), goes into detail about pretty much everything about the Wu Tang including their musical/movie influences, their neighborhoods, the mythology of the 36 chambers (it's not just the name of their first album), and the philosophies regarding the 5 percent Nation and the tenents of the Nation of Gods and Earths. The RZA also breaks down the Shaolin fighting style and how Wu has incorporated this unique fighting style into their raps. He also gives an in-depth analysis of how the game of chess plays a crucial role in not only lyrical battles but also in terms of defeating enemies in real life. This guide/book also comes with a handy translation of some of the Wu's lexicon and slang. But the true gem of this book is the RZA's breaking down some of the lyrics of the Wu's most famous songs so that when the Rza spits "Connectin' Brooklyn/Shaol like the Verazanno -Narrows", you will know what he is talking about. I highly recommend this book to any true Wu fan!Book Review: Amazingly Enlightening book
Summary: 5 Stars
Im reading the book now and it has changed my whole perspective on the world in just about an hour. Its a book that can be incredibly deep and spiritual even if you ain't a Wu fan. It shows how deep the minds of the Wu members really are and this book, marks the distinguisment from all other rappers today cause most of them BE SUCKA MCs.Book Review: BUY IT READ IT WORSHIP IT
Summary: 5 Stars
this... is simply... the greatest book ive ever read. rza drops science on the wu. everything u wanted to know and more. i feel smarter after reading it. the knowledge you accumulate reading this book is unparallel to any other book. buy it, read it, worship it.Book Review: Best documentary on the Wu, even better than a video.
Summary: 5 Stars
Great read, amazing stories, breakdowns of the most famous lyrics and the mathematics of it all. As a long time Wu fan, I have read and seen almost every documentary type thing that has come out about them, and none of them were even close to the Wu-Tang Manual. This is a book that I flipped through when it first came out at the bookstore, and immediately was compelled to buy it. If you are any fan of the group and are teetering on a decision due to other sub-par Wu related merchandise, I'm telling you that this is the top Wu-related product I have bought. It's professionally laid out, the book looks fantastic, and is an easy size book and typeface to read, there are some decent pictures when needed, and tons of different types of chapters, not just all reading, but breakdowns of various things in the group that really let you into the mythos of the Wu.