The Riot Within: My Journey from Rebellion to Redemption

The Riot Within: My Journey from Rebellion to Redemption is a 2012 biography of police brutality victim turned civil rights icon, Rodney King. ^[1] The book is co-authored by award-winning writer and Harvard Fellow, Lawrence J. Spagnola. ^[2]

Context

King's discusses his traumatic childhood but growing up amongst loving but at times abusive parents their shared love for fishing his speaks highly of his openly gay teacher Robert E. Jones at John Muir High School. He continues his story with his decent into addiction and alcoholism and his run-ins with the law including that night where he was stopped and beaten by the California Highway Patrol. He goes on to reflect on his multicultural heritage and how he did not want the race riot that came from about as a result of being beaten.

King's reflects later in life as he becomes this civil rights icon that he does not wish to become, he 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 books finally wraps up with his ability to obtain sobriety and the lessons he has learned. ^[3]

Published

The Riot Within was published by Harper books in April 2012.

Reviews

The Riot Within received mostly positive reviews by both the independent and mainstream media.

Amazon Categorization Controversy

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. Why a memoir about a police brutality victim would be listed as such remains a mystery and amazon refused to comment. ^[4] The book was eventually re-categorized under memoir and historical.

References