DIVIDED SOUL: THE LIFE OF MARVIN GAYE (1985)

"You won't find a more fascinating rock bio. Ritz lays it out without flinching, sensationalizing or slowing down." - Village Voice

"Ritz is a writer of remarkable insight and sensitivity." - The Nation

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FAITH IN TIME: THE JAZZ LIFE OF JIMMY SCOTT (2002)

“There's no other story like this in American music. Only Jimmy Scott could have lived it and only David Ritz could have written it. A triumph!” - B.B. King

“In the eloquent wordage of 'Sweets' Edison, 'It don't get no better than this.' Jimmy Scott has been the original 'soul man' for over six decades. His life parallels the best of American musical history.” - Quincy Jones

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DEATH OF A KING: THE REAL STORY OF DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.’S FINAL YEAR with TAVIS SMILEY (2014)

"An eloquent, emotional journey from darkness to light."
- Kirkus Reviews

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RESPECT: THE LIFE OF ARETHA FRANKLIN (2014)

"Ritz’s intimate and elegant voice steps from behind the veil of the ghostwriter to tell a tale of genius, dysfunction and blind ambition, describing a world of triumph and tragedy of near mythic proportions. A great read and a really heroic work of biography -- honest, loving, no holds barred." - Ben Sidran, jazz musician, historian, author of "There Was a Fire"

“A national resource.” - Benj DeMott, editor, First of the Month

“This far surpasses David Ritz’s landmark study of Marvin Gaye. People will be reading Respect generations from now to understand our musical culture. Ritz deserves a lifetime achievement award for: 'Most Soul Full Account of America’s Music'” - Charles Keil, ethnomusicologist

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MY JOURNEY WITH MAYA ANGELOU with TAVIS SMILEY (2015)

“A passionate depiction of a true Renaissance Woman.” - Washington Post

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BEFORE YOU JUDGE ME: THE TRIUMPH AND TRAGEDY OF MICHAEL JACKSON'S LAST DAYS with TAVIS SMILEY (2016)

“Humanizing…captivating…compelling narrative details.” - NBC.com

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BROTHER RAY - RAY CHARLES (1978)

"The most clear-eyed and honest celebrity autobiography I've read."
- Nelson George

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INSIDE MY LIFE - SMOKEY ROBINSON (1989)

"The best pop memoir in recent memory."
- People

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RHYTHM AND THE BLUES - JERRY WEXLER (1993)

"A great yarn…beautifully written and loaded with juicy tales about music immortals."
- New York Times Book Review

Winner: Ralph Gleason Music Book Award

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RAGE TO SURVIVE - ETTA JAMES (1995)

"A harrowing page-turner that chronicles forty brawling, bawdy, tempest-tossed, drug-addled show-biz years in the life of one of the greatest Americans singers of the last half-century."
- Dallas Observer

Winner: Ralph Gleason Music Book Award

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Authors Who Love The Book


BLUES ALL AROUND ME - B.B. KING (1996)

"Charming…honest…transcendent...an eloquent autobiography…an eminently entertaining tale of a true American hero."
- Billboard

Winner: Ralph Gleason Music Book Award

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GUIDE TO LIFE - SINBAD (1997)

"Fall-down funny…an hysterical romp."
- Variety

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ARETHA: FROM THESE ROOTS - ARETHA FRANKLIN (1999)

"Bittersweet yet sassy chronicle." - New York Times

"Reveals the diva in broad strokes, with just enough personal anecdotes and backstage stories to keep fans intrigued." - People

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THE BROTHERS - ART, AARON CHARLES AND CYRIL NEVILLE (2000)

"A searingly frank and entertaining autobiography."
- Oxford American

Winner: Ralph Gleason Music Book Award

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REACH! FINDING STRENGTH, SPIRIT, AND PERSONAL POWER - LAILA ALI (2002)

"The story is gripping, the writing upbeat…" - L.A. Times


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GUILLAUME: A LIFE - ROBERT GUILLAUME (2002)

"The magic that has always characterized the life and work of Robert Guillaume vibrates on the pages of this book. His talent and values mark him as a man for all seasons." - Sidney Poitier


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HOWLING AT THE MOON - WALTER YETNIKOFF (2004)

"A dizzy ride on the turntable...hysterically funny."
- Janet Maslin, New York Times


"Riveting insider dish." - Fortune

"Outrageous." - Rolling Stone


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ELVIS BY THE PRESLEYS (2005)

"Downhome funky charm...fry up a banana sandwich and enjoy."
- Booklist



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WHAT I KNOW FOR SURE - TAVIS SMILEY (2006)

"Engaging and compelling." - L.A. Times


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INSIDE POWER - GARY SHEFFIELD (2007)

"'I love Sheff as a player. Having read Inside Power, I respect him even more as a man." - Peter Golenbock

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RICKLES' BOOK - DON RICKLES (2007)

"'Honest, funny, down-to-earth. Helluva read." - Larry King

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GRACE AFTER MIDNIGHT - FELICIA "SNOOP" PEARSON (2007)

"Spare, even poetic, rendering traumatic moments all the more powerful" - Publishers Weekly

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THE ADVENTURES OF GRANDMASTER FLASH: MY LIFE, MY BEATS (2008)

"Essential for pop music and hip-hop collectors." - Booklist

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JOURNEY OF A THOUSAND MILES: MY STORY - LANG LANG (2008)

"Lang tells the story of his childhood without self-pity or bitterness, making his success, and the book itself, all the more satisfying." - New York Times

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RICKLES' LETTERS - DON RICKLES (2009)

"Long-time fans will want this in their collection."
- Publishers Weekly

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HOUND DOG: THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF LEIBER & STOLLER (2009)

"An important part of the story of American music.' - New York Times

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WE'LL BE HERE FOR THE REST OF OUR LIVES - PAUL SHAFFER (2009)

"Passionate and racy." - Kirkus Review

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BROTHER WEST: LIVING AND LOVING OUT LOUD, A MEMOIR - CORNEL WEST (2009)

"His autobiography covers all: childhood misadventures, brushes with the well-connected and infamous, marriages and affairs, a bout with prostate cancer, his showdown with economics czar Lawrence Summers when Summers was president of Harvard and West one of the school’s best-known professors, and a tough-love friendship with President Barack Obama." - New Jersey Star-Ledger

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I WAS BORN THIS WAY - CARL BEAN (2010)

"A one of a kind life...moving...engaging." - Kirkus Review

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LOVE BROUGHT ME BACK - NATALIE COLE (2010)

"Stunning...uplifting...moving." - Publishers Weekly

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TRUE YOU - JANET JACKSON (2011)

Number #1 Bestseller, NY Times

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NOT DEAD AND NOT FOR SALE - SCOTT WEILAND (2011)

"Harrowing but honest, Weiland poetically describes his trip to hell and back." - Rolling Stone

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A MOMENT IN TIME - RALPH BRANCA (2011)

"A beautifuly story that touched my heart and gave me even greater respect for Branca." - Vince Scully

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WHEN I LEFT HOME - BUDDY GUY (2012)

"Breezy and revealing." - Chicago Magazine

"A joyous celebration of the blues." - Publishers Weekly

"A must-read." - Rolling Stone

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SINNER'S CREED - SCOTT STAPP (2012)

"A gripping memoir that is proof positive that God is always present in our lives, despite the colossal mess we sometimes make of them." - Good Reads

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A WOMAN LIKE ME - BETTYE LAVETTE (2012)

"Absolutely engrossing" - Network Journal

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BALANCE: A STORY OF FAITH, FAMILY, AND LIFE ON THE LINE - NIK WALLENDA (2013)

"Charming autobiography. Just a breath of astonishment and delight." - Chicago Tribue

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GLOW - RICK JAMES (2014)

"James is as memorable on the page as his legendary hits."
- Essence

"Ritz is the ultra-readable emperor of collaborators in the
'as told to' world."
- Buffalo News

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ROCKS: MY LIFE IN AND OUT OF AEROSMITH - JOE PERRY (2014)

“Will strike gold with every Aerosmith fan.” - Publishers Weekly

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THE FILTHY TRUTH - ANDREW DICE CLAY (2014)

“He's 100% original...buy this book!” - Ice-T

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next next

IT'S A LONG STORY: MY LIFE - WILLIE NELSON (2015)

“Every page radiates authenticity.” - Washington Post

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#1 #1

AFTER THE DANCE: MY LIFE WITH MARVIN GAYE - JAN GAYE (2015)

“Raw and penetrating honey..sympathetic, caring…a must-read.” - Bell Hooks

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#2

AN OUTLAW AND A LADY - JESSI COLTER (2017)

“Anyone who likes biographies, stories about popular entertainers, or literature written from a Christian viewpoint will enjoy this 5-star book.” - Christian Book


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#2
#2
#2

THE GOD GROOVE: A BLUES JOURNEY TO FAITH - DAVID RITZ (2019)

"Vivid, deeply felt prose…an inspiring, satisfying book.” - Kirkus

“Fantastic!” - Bishop Noel Jones

“The God Groove is deeply soulful, moving and inspiring.”
- Janet Jackson

"If you love old R&B and soul and jazz, this memoir is a must-read." - Dallas Magazine

David Ritz has perfected the art of understanding another’s journey while unveiling his own. His finding answers to hard questions propels the heart to find its own song and salvation.”
- Jessi Colter

"Every human has an interesting story, but the ability to write it down in a deep rhythm is something else. And then comes the ultimate test of any writer, born of the ultimate question: How deep is your love? David Ritz’s life, page by page, is a vehicle for his infinite wellspring of love...for music, literature,fashion, his companions, and his yearning to break through his barriers, those he inherited and those he fearfully constructed. His bravery in searching for a healthy soulful life, attuned to the divine, is inspiring. I love it.” - Flea, of the Red Hot Chili Peppers

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#2
#2
#2

ON TIME: A PRINCELY LIFE IN FUNK - MORRIS DAY (2019)

On Time finds the sharp-dressed man wearing the role of author well as he eulogizes his fallen musical comrade and friend.” - Soul-Patrol.com

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#2
#2
#2

I’M YOUR HUCKLEBERRY: A MEMOIR - VAL KILMER (2020)

“Absorbing…rather than a carefully curated self-portrait, Kilmer offers a scatterbrained journey into his idiosyncratic head space. If this is the pinball machine of Kilmer’s mind, you have to give it to him: He’s playing by his own rules.” - Washington Post

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#2
#2
#2

ME AND SISTER BOBBIE - WILLIE NELSON & BOBBIE NELSON (2020)

“Written in gritty, unapologetic Texas jargon, in short chapters alternating between Willie and Bobbie, this book--a poignant, beautiful, heartfelt co-memoir--delights and astounds.” - New York Journel of Books

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#2
#2
#2

LET LOVE RULE - LENNY KRAVITZ (2020)

“In a new memoir, the rock musician breaks down the first 25 years of his life, when he found his sound, his voice and his commitment to love and nonviolence.” - New York Times

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#2
#2
#2

KG: A TO Z - AN UNCENSORED ENCYCLOPEDIA OF LIFE, BASKETBALL AND EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN - KEVIN GARNETT (2021)

“If you thought Kevin Garnett was exciting, inspiring, and unfiltered on the court, just wait until you read what he has to say in these pages.” - Book Depository

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#2
#2
#2

ME AND PAUL: UNTOLD STORIES OF A FABLED FRIENDSHIP - WILLIE NELSON (2022)

“This lyrical ode of an incredible bond will tug a the readers’ heartstring.” - Publishers Weekly

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#2
#2
#2

SHARE MY LIFE - KEM (2023)

“The takeaway is triumphant: Music helps Kem and his climbs to the top is captivating and inspiration.” - Publishers Weekly

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#2
#2
#2

LIVIN' ON A PRAYER: BIG SONGS, BIG LIFE - DESMOND CHILD (2023)

“He only knows how to write one kind of song - a hit.” - Cher

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#2
#2
#2

ENERGY FOLLOWS THOUGHT: THE STORIES BEHIND MY SONGS - WILLIE NELSON (2023)

“His commentary is clear, introspective, patient and wise—showing how his 90 years have funneled into a new perspective on his lyricism and canon. The stories read like Willie himself is sitting across the dinner table from you, regaling you of his best stories from years past.” - The Tennessean

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MESSENGERS
(Portraits of African American Ministers, Evangelists, Gospel Singers, and Other Messengers of the Word)
Doubleday (2006)

"Christians of all races and denominations will love this book." - Booklist

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SEARCH FOR HAPPINESS (1980)

"Addictive…Search is outrageous, irreverent, funny, gross and gentle." - Los Angeles Herald Examiner


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THE MAN WHO BROUGHT THE DODGERS BACK TO BROOKLYN (1981)

"A novel of passion and ingenuity." - New York Times

"Skilled and witty." - Time Magazine

"Sweet and funny." - Los Angeles Times

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DREAMS (1988)

"Fiction alive with pungent native humor. A Hollywood story turned on its ear." - Variety

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BLUE NOTES UNDER A GREEN FELT HAT (1989)

"Once in a while a novel lingers in your memory, like snatches of a pleasant dream. This is a wackily-titled beautiful book that offers such a memory." - Los Angeles Times Syndicate

"Covers all the melodramatic bases and hits all the right pop-culture chords." - Booklist

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BARBELLS AND SAXOPHONES (1990)

"The ride is wonderfully wicked and unpredictable, with the souped-up prose maintaining exactly the right tone…a fast-moving saga of body building, jazz and sheer insanity."
- Library Journal

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FAMILY BLOOD (1991)

"Dazzling…a hurricane of a novel…vastly entertaining…Ritz knows the music industry well."
- Library Journal

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PASSION FLOWERS (1992)

"Ritz's gripping narrative chronicles the struggles of three larger-than-life women…powerful and richly portrayed characters."
- Booklist

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TAKE IT OFF! TAKE IT ALL OFF! (1993)

"Intriguing mystery mixed with a bebop background…irresistibly good read."
- Kirkus

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SANCTIFIED BLUES: AN ALBERTINA MERCI NOVEL - MABLE JOHN (2006)

"Warms the heart and touches the soul. You're going to love this story." - B.B. King
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STAY OUT OF THE KITCHEN!: AN ALBERTINA MERCI NOVEL - MABLE JOHN (2007)

"Plenty of sensuality to match the spirituality...humor, soul and inspiration is the recipe." - The Hartford Courant

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LOVE TORNADO: A NOVEL - MABLE JOHN (2008)

"Its heroine is a font of spiritual wisdom who can still throw down the blues like nobody else." - Publishers Weekly

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POWER AND BEAUTY - T.I. (2011)

"Hits you like a ton of bricks. The storytelling is fast and non-stop, the writing crafty and smart." - Essence Magazine

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TROUBLE AND TRIUMPH - T.I. (2012)

"A rocking roller coaster that grabs you from the start and does not let go until the final chapter." - The Backstage Beat

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#2

#2

PRETTY PAPER - WILLIE NELSON (2016)

"In the end, the reading experience feels as if you've sat down with Nelson inside his famous tour bus and listened for a spell as he shared a homespun story from his adventure-filled life. That's not a bad way to spend an afternoon at all." - Dallas Morning News

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#2

#2

BRAYDEN SPEAKS UP: HOW ONE BOY INSPIRED A NATION - BRAYDON HARRINGTON (2021)

"A sunny, affirmative testimonial to the power of positive thinking." - Kirkus Reviews

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#2

#2

JAYSON GOES FOR IT! - BRAYDON HARRINGTON (2023)

A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection

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