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ab4223 's review for:
Kill 'Em and Leave: Searching for James Brown and the American Soul
by James McBride
Incredibly heartfelt and honest, even (or rather, especially) in confirming & reaffirming that the man within the legendary persona of James Brown was so guarded and trusting of very few people throughout his entire life. As the biographer describes interviews with some of the chosen few closest friends and colleagues, he does each the honour of sharing a substantial amount of their own biographies—describing the person who has granted him a level of access, which he readily & humbly acknowledges that many of these people had rarely or never previously allowed. He paints such an intimate portrait of each interviewee—as they present themselves to him in real time and in relating their recollections of how they came to inhabit Mr. Brown’s inner circle—that it is impossible to feel sleighted when each person inevitably (though politely) declines to answer certain questions, out of their undying loyalty/love/respect for the man he was and/or conceded that they truly did not know the answers to certain things because he [allegedly admittedly] withheld parts of himself from even those closest to him.
Much of the strength and beauty of this biography is due to the care taken to avoid being (or even attempting to be) a salacious tell-all. It does not shy away from, make excuses for, or attempt to absolve the less flattering (yet justly earned) parts of his reputation, including alleged and admitted criminal and/or unethical behaviours. However, it does a great and just service to his legacy by drawing attention to his altruism in life and his legally decreed intentions to continue these efforts upon his death as well as the shameful ways that his last wishes and his legacy continue to erode so long after his death as innumerable greedy and amoral individuals abuse the legal system so that his estate is increasingly likely to be consumed by legal fees as the ultimate solution to the legal battles over control of an estate that ceases to hold any monetary value.
Much of the strength and beauty of this biography is due to the care taken to avoid being (or even attempting to be) a salacious tell-all. It does not shy away from, make excuses for, or attempt to absolve the less flattering (yet justly earned) parts of his reputation, including alleged and admitted criminal and/or unethical behaviours. However, it does a great and just service to his legacy by drawing attention to his altruism in life and his legally decreed intentions to continue these efforts upon his death as well as the shameful ways that his last wishes and his legacy continue to erode so long after his death as innumerable greedy and amoral individuals abuse the legal system so that his estate is increasingly likely to be consumed by legal fees as the ultimate solution to the legal battles over control of an estate that ceases to hold any monetary value.