The Riot Within: My Journey from Rebellion to Redemption
| Author | Rodney King, Lawrence J Spagnola |
|---|---|
| Genre | Historical, Memoir |
| Published | April 2012 |
| Publisher | Harper Books |
The Riot Within: My Journey from Rebellion to Redemption is a 2012 biography of police brutality victim turned civil rights icon, Rodney King. The book is co-authored by award-winning writer and Harvard Fellow, Lawrence J. Spagnola.
King discusses his childhood growing up amongst loving but at times abusive parents, and their shared love for fishing. He speaks highly of his openly gay teacher Robert E. Jones at John Muir High School. He continues his story with his descent into addiction and alcoholism and his run-ins with the law including that night where he was stopped and beaten by Los Angeles Police officers. He goes on to reflect on his multicultural heritage and how he did not want the race riot that came about as a result of being beaten.
King reflects later in life as he becomes the civil rights icon that he does not wish to become, and is surrounded by greedy opportunists who seek to use him for his money or their own agenda. All while battling addiction and his own demons of childhood and adult trauma and trying to move on with his life. The book finally wraps up with his ability to obtain sobriety and the lessons he has learned.
The Riot Within was published by Harper books in April 2012.
The Riot Within received mostly positive reviews by both the independent and mainstream media.
The Riot Within was originally categorized by Amazon as a "Criminal Biography" and was listed next to books about serial killers, mob bosses and hackers. Amazon has refused to comment on why a memoir about a police brutality victim would be listed as such. The book was eventually re-categorized under "Memoir and Historical".
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