Can't Stop Won't Stop is a powerful cultural and social history of the end of the American century; and a provocative look into the new world that the hip-hop generation created.Forged in the fires of the Bronx and Kingston; Jamaica; hip-hop became the Esperanto of youth rebellion and a generation-defining movement. In a post-civil rights era defined by deindustrialization and globalization; hip-hop crystallized a multiracial; polycultural generation's worldview; and transformed American politics and culture. But that epic story has never been told with this kind of breadth; insight; and style.Based on original interviews with DJs; b-boys; rappers; graffiti writers; activists; and gang members; with unforgettable portraits of many of hip-hop's forebears; founders; and mavericks; including DJ Kool Herc; Afrika Bambaataa; Chuck D; and Ice Cube; Can't Stop Won't Stop chronicles the events; the ideas; the music; and the art that marked the hip-hop generation's rise from the ashes of the 60's into the new millennium.
#1365661 in Books 2005-01-01 2004-12-23Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 10.20 x 1.36 x 5.92l; #File Name: 0312336438416 pages
Review
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful. Exploration of Africa in the late 18th and early 19th centuryBy Utah BlaineIt may be surprising to some (it was certainly surprising to me) that less was known about the interior of Africa at the turn of the 18th century than was known about the New World or the South Pacific. The coast around Africa had been heavily explored (and exploited) by Europeans; but virtually nothing was known about the interior. This book details the attempts by individuals and small groups to penetrate; map; and detail truth from reality about the interior of Africa during the late 18th and early 18th century. Various scholars; adventure seekers; and glory hunters tried to cross the Sahara and penetrate northern Africa to find the legendary city of Timbuktu; the source of the Niger; and new possibilities for trade to bypass the Moorish middlemen. Some tried by starting in Egypt and heading west; others by starting in (or around) Gambia and trekking east. Virtually all of them died in the attempt.There is a lot to like in this book. It uncovers a fascinating and totally unknown (to me at least; probably to many others) era of history. While Bonaparte was stomping around Europe; a small group of scholars was actively engaged in trying to learn more about their world; in spite of the upheaval in Europe. Joseph Banks and some of his wealthy comrades in England would regularly commission various individuals and groups to attempt to penetrate Africa to find Timbuktu and the source of the Niger. The goals were nominally scientific - to ascertain the position of various landmarks; rumored cities; etc.; but as the expeditions failed and the situation in Europe changed; the goals evolved to become more economic and geo-political. Roughly 40% of this book is effectively a travelogue in which the exploits of the various explorers is recounted. In some cases the journals of these explorers has survived and Sattin has reconstructed the tales of their adventures. It would have taken some big cojones to attempt what some of these brave (foolish?) men did.There are several reasons why I only give this work four stars. First; roughly 60% of the book covers the political machinations of Joseph Banks and his cronies. This is important to the story; but I wanted to read more about Africa; not about wealthy Londoners. Too much time is spent in London. I wanted to learn more about the explorers; the people and wildlife and terrain in Africa; etc. and less about Banks and crew. Second; this isn't the kind of book most people are going to need to add to their collection. It is now out of print as I write this review (26JUL09); but I wouldn't spend my money again to buy it. Definitely readable; but as a relatively expensive hardback; not really collectible. I won't be returning to it again and again. Third; the ending is really disappointing. Someone finally makes it across the country; and that's it. There were lots of loose threads that could really have been tied up together; and the narrative could have been taken a bit further. It was almost as if Sattin just got tired of writing and ended the story at a convenient point.Bottom line is that this is a good read for anyone interested in Africa and the age of exploration; but not a uniquely outstanding book.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Engrossing readBy Donald R. ChanceThis is a great book on early exploration (18th and 19th centuries) of the northern half of Africa. I did not know we knew so little about Africa not too long ago. The men who explored this area were real adventurers. Unfortunately their efforts and sacrifices cost them all their lives. It was an eye opener to learn slavery trade was an African staple. .0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Must readBy JJA very well researched non-fiction book that reads like a fictional story of heroic adventurers and their dangerous (often fatal) journeys to discover a new land.I'm currently a Peace Corps volunteer in Senegal; so it was exciting to learn about the first adventurers in the region that I am currently living
