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The Book of Jose: A Memoir

Unabridged Audio Book

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Fat Joe

9 Hours 53 Minutes

Random House (Audio)

November 2022

Audio Book Summary

Grammy-nominated, multi-platinum–selling artist, entrepreneur, and philanthropist Fat Joe pulls back the curtain on his larger-than-life persona in this gritty, intimate memoir about growing up in the South Bronx and finding his voice through music.

“An adrenaline rush . . . buckle up and lean back.”—Spin

Fat Joe is a hip-hop legend, but this is not a tale of celebrity; it is the story of Joseph Cartagena, a kid who came of age in the South Bronx during its darkest years of drugs, violence, and abandonment, and how he navigated that traumatizing landscape until he found—through art, friendship, luck, and will—a rocky path to a different life.

Joe is born into a sprawling Puerto Rican and Cuban family in the projects of the South Bronx. From infancy his life is threatened by violence, and by the time he starts middle school, he is faced with the grim choice that defined a generation: to become predator or prey. Soon Joe and his crew dominate the streets, but he finds his true love among the park jams where the Bronx’s wild energy takes musical form. His identity splits in two: a hustler roaming record stores, looking for beats; and a budding rapper whose violent rep rings in the streets. As Joe’s day-to-day life becomes more fraught with betrayal, addiction, and death, until he himself is shot and almost killed, he gravitates toward the music that gives him both a voice to tell the stories of his young life and the tools he needs to create a new one. The challenges never stop—but neither does Joe.

This memoir, written in Joe’s own intensely compelling voice, moves with the momentum of pulp fiction, but underneath the tragicomedy and riveting tales of the streets and the industry is a thought-provoking story about a generation of survivors raised in warlike conditions—the life-and-death choices they had to make, the friends they lost and mourned, and the glittering lives they created from the ruins.

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Reviews

  • A W.

    I'm kinda biased (being from The Bronx and knowing SOME of the same people as Fat Joe), but I REALLY enjoyed this book..some of the events actually made me feel like I took a time traveling machine back to 1989/1990..(laughing)..I DO have 3 issues with this book..1) I don't see why Fat Joe is NOW explaining the use of the N-Word..(when he's explaining that scenario?..you're actually separating yourself from Black people)..to me??..if you REALLY feel the NEED to explain that to people?..then maybe you shouldn't use that word at all..2) he omitted Cuban Link from this book..I wanted SOME drama..(laughing)..and he also left out Liza almost entirely..(he mentioned her name in passing and moved on..he didn't mention Chris (Pun's son) at all..and 3) SOME stories were EXAGGERATED a little..but most of what Joe said was 100% accurate..(I loved that Officer Mesa)..there's always a Police Officer that can't stand you..LOL..in all..great book..I really had fun listening to it..and I had a great laugh..(some nostalgia..some humor)..Salute to Fat Joe..and as always..thank you all for reading my reviews..Peace and Blessings to you and your families.. A-Weapons Mid-Lyfe Music South Bronx NYC..

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  • Nicole H.

    It was hard to keep up sometimes but i loved it???

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  • Clarissa H.

    Disjointed and seemingly sensationalized.

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  • Antonio M.

    What a story, don’t give up mane!!

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  • Damien Smith

    As a 48 year old man, born and raised in the Bronx, I couldn't help but hear parts of my own life in this memoir. Fat Joe, Pun, Remy, TS, have been a major part of the soundtrack to my life over the years. So many things I didn't know and this book filled in a lot of missing pieces. I'm glad Joe narrated this. Authentic masterpiece. Give Joe his flowers now! He's been reppin the Bronx, NYC, and the Latin community for over 30 years. Well done Joe and Shaheem Reid!

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  • Anonymous

    Book was boring and all over the place . He spent more time talking about his 4 month prison bid then the late great big pun . 4/10 rating for me .

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  • Jesus O.

    Very entertaining! Fat Joe does an excellent job telling his story.

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