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Jan 13, 2012

Eli added it

This book pretty much rocked. It was written by the RZA, who is a lot smarter than you would think, given that he's a gangsta rapper who spits about kung fu and meth. Throughout the book, the RZA gives simple, but deep, knowledge through his experience with the Pillars of Wisdom, kung fu, living on the street, Mathematics, Islam, and the Wu-Tang Clan. He tries to make his lessons as universal as possible, so even the most sheltered, white people can relate to what he has to say. In our close-min More...

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Aug 06, 2011

Calvin rated it:

Last but not least I picked up the Tao of RZA at Border’s closing sale last week for %70 off. Out of the 3 books I probably enjoyed this one the most. The writing was definitely the strongest, but I think a lot of credit could go to the fact that he had a co-writer to organize all of his thoughts. Basically, RZA sat down and did just rambled about his philosophies for a several hours and the co-writer organized it into something more cohesive. Like Jay-Z, RZA is at his strongest when telling the More...

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Mar 04, 2011

Ebony rated it:

RZA’s book is chaotic. There’s no table of contents. The random meditations, life lessons, and stories seem misplaced. His life chronology is jumbled up and difficult to follow. The pillars of wisdom aren’t parallel and they’re hard to apply. The Tao of Wu is like starting in a middle of a conversation. He is God but Allah is greater. He had the knowledge but then he pretended to forget it as his superhero alter ego. He was reborn but still dead. He’s not religious but Islam is the way. The c More...

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Jan 23, 2011

Tommy rated it:

( this book counts as 2 )
this book is by one of the greatest rapers and original rapers of all time. this book talks about his child life and how they got there name and this is like an autobiography.

this book talks about how his life growing up and how it wasnt easy, it seams like every rappers life as a kid was hard, but how when he was younger how he used to live with a lot of people in one small project house and how he couldnt even get to sleep on a bed. also i think he More...

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Nov 07, 2009

Stephen rated it:

WHAT I LEARNED FROM THIS BOOK:

* Dragon Ball Z represents the journey of the black man in America

* RZA stands for Ruler-Knowledge/Wisdom/Understanding-Allah

* RZA lost his virginity when he was 11 to an older woman. She also taught him how to play chess.

* At the age of 12, RZA had already memorized all the answers to the 120 questions of the Nation of Islam.

* While the rest of New York was caught up in hip-hop fads and trends, Staten Isla More...

1 comment like (6 people liked it)

Oct 25, 2009

Ron rated it:

RZA's memoir has plenty on the rise of the Wu-Tang clan, but it's primarily about his spiritual progression through the Divine Lessons of the Nation of Gods and Earth mixed in with the influence of all those Shaolin martial-arts movies he watched growing up, which means you'll be led through a bunch of cosmological and numerological digressions in much the same way Aleister Crowley used to pull out the kabbalistic gematria on a regular basis. (Despite the biographical differences, it does feel l More...

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May 11, 2011

Blair rated it:

RZA is clearly an intelligent man. His ambition and ability to focus on conquering his fears, obstacles, and shortcomings commands a great deal of respect. The story behind the formation of the hip-hop super group the Wu-Tang Clan is an interesting one and the often salacious "behind the scene stories" from his childhood and onwards are my favorite parts of the book. It did tend to lose me on the more spiritual side of things. I just found it hard to connect this deeply pious perso More...

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Apr 16, 2010

DJMikeG rated it:

A must-read for Wu Tang fans. RZA goes a little deeper into his religious and philosophical beliefs here than he did in "The Wu Tang Manual". This book is as crazy, brilliant, edgy, contradictory, controversial and wild as the best Wu Tang music is. There are nuggets of great wisdom, and many, many interesting stories of Wu lore here. I thought the way the RZA sort of tip-toed into the more insane beliefs at the core of the 5% Nation to be sort of strange and a bit cowardly. For t More...

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Nov 07, 2009

Manny rated it:

As someone who has been listening to the Wu for upwards of 12 years, who has also been a spiritual seeker and who has always recognized the spiritual infusion in the Wu's music, this was definitely a must-read for me (as was the previously-published Wu Manual). Much to my surprise and pleasure, the book was more a biography of a spiritual journey than it is a biography of a musical career... although there is plenty of the latter in this book, as well.

I liked much of the book and fe More...

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Feb 03, 2010

Colin rated it:

You gotta give credit to The RZA. He definitely maintains his own style. And has done so for a long time. So you know that when he discusses the influence of Eastern philosophy/religion on his life and profession, you know that he's serious.

This book represents the development and thought process of The RZA. Where he came from. What he thinks. Why he thinks. What he has seen.

I was impressed by The RZA's interest in these topics. He definitely breaks the mold of the ty More...

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Jul 26, 2011

Kelly rated it:

You don't have to be a Wu disciple to enjoy this book...though it helps. RZA is an enlightened, deep thinker and provides insight into not only the world of hip-hop and Wu-slang, but into his spirituality - an interesting combination of Islamic, Buddhist, and Christian studies. He claims not to be a prophet, but one could easily argue that Prince Rakeem comes bearing knowledge and wisdom unique to his personal experiences with Kung Fu, religious practices, and world hip hop domination. After rea More...

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Feb 09, 2011

David rated it:

It’s no secret that I’m a fan of The Wu-Tang Clan. While I do not have the W tattooed on my face, I do pick up anything Wu related. The Tao of the Wu written by The RZA is a must pick up for all Wu heads. Tao features stories and philosophies that shaped The RZA, subsequently also shaping the Wu-Tang Clan. The RZA has a very distinct voice. That aspect is the same for his writing. The RZA’s bravado and intensity can still be heard throughout the pages. A trait I wish to imitate in my own writing More...

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Nov 14, 2010

Ayo rated it:

"The Tao of Wu" by the RZA is about the RZA and the different life experiences he has gone through that made him who he is today. For you who don't know who the RZA is, he is part of the Wu Tang Clan. The Wu Tang Clan are a group of the RZA's family and close friends. Together they created one of the biggest rap groups within the industry and have had a major impact on rap today. I really enjoyed this book even though I tend to stay away from Non-fiction. I think that the book gave me More...

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Aug 09, 2011

Amir rated it:

Great book!

Very well written, philosophical, and powerful. Rza's perception and outlook on life in regards to religion is amazing. It's obviously through his personal perspective and a direct correlation to what he believes in, but nevertheless very insightful and interesting.

If you like the rap/hip hop culture along with Confucius/Muslim concepts, definitely read this one. He does talk about the creation of the Wu-Tang Clan and his infatuation with martial arts, which is More...

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Mar 06, 2011

Eric rated it:

I've enjoyed Wu-Tang's music for years, but I was a little skeptical when I heard The RZA wrote a book. The group's lyrics had never seemed particularly deep, aside from the occasional connection to eastern philosophy. His "Bobby Digital" album didn't impress me, and -- his brief appearance in _Coffee and Cigarettes_ notwithstanding -- I never thought of RZA as much of an intellect. When I heard him on NPR, however, I realized I had rushed to judgment, and I ordered the book soon after More...

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Mar 14, 2010

Devin rated it:

Know this: The RZA is charlied off his nut.

I have only a passing familiarity with the Wu Tang clan, having been amused by the antics of Ol' Dirty Bastard's persona over the years. I picked up this book after seeing the RZA make a nearly incomprehensible appearance on the Colbert show. After discovering he had written a biographical philosophy book called "The Tao of Wu", I knew I had to read it.

Reading this book gave me a glimpse into a mind that is interest More...

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Oct 31, 2009

Melissa rated it:

This was an interesting read. Great mix of Buddhist, Christian, Muslim, and street-thug philosophy. Just when I was about to say it was supremely profound, though, the RZA would break into the nonsensical... Although it's hard to say if what I was finding nonsensical was simply my lack of understanding of Supreme Mathematics (a religious philosophy which stems from the Nation of Islam). Regardless, a great (and quick) Wu read with some gems of wisdom and a real appreciation for the way each reli More...

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Apr 08, 2010

Robert rated it:

I've always been a big fan of the Wu Tang Clan and perhaps more intersted in their ethos. 36 Chambers is one of the most high-concept albums ever, and in this book, RZA gives a lot of exposition that informed the making of the record. Part spirituality, part crazy numerology, part musings on the music business and living in the post-modern hell that is Staten Island, if you want to understand why Wu Tang and its members are the most influential hip-hop artists, I recommend this book.

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Feb 09, 2010

Dan rated it:

I don't think the art of the pen is one of the Wu-Tang sword styles, not even when there's an obvious ghost writer at work. But for anyone who is/was a fan, especially if you were growing up in the early 90's as the music was coming out you'll want to read this. It gives an interesting perspective on the 5% nation and the role it played for hip hop culture. The book is rife with pronouncements and is self aggrandizing to the max but that's fun too.

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Jan 23, 2011

Charles added it

I thought this book was a very good book, atleast in my opinion because i really like the wu-Tang clan. This book shows the complete story of theses rappers and how they grew up in a struggling life in a new york city public housing. This book was very inspiring, i reccomend this book to any one especially if you like hip hop and the wu tang clan and also you should listen to there music they rap a lot about there lives. Very good book.

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Jan 04, 2011

Carey rated it:

This book was a page turner! It was fun to read and I learned a lot. I love anything that gives me a chance to look at something from another perspective - it did that. In one way, it gave me a new perspective on a personal life event. I found it meaningful and beautiful. I suggest it for anyone who is looking for a positive in a world of negative; RZA knows how to do that.

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Jun 28, 2011

Danielroffle rated it:

Unsurprisingly, a certain amount of tolerance for mystical mumbojumbo is necessary to enjoy this: buddhism plays a big part, sure, but so does numerology and Five Percent rhetoric (though RZA's version is pretty forgiving towards us White Devils). That aside, though, the man is a pretty congenial storyteller; there's some cool insights into the inner workings of the Clan and a few moments of genuine pathos (especially when RZA starts talking about the deaths of his mother and Ol' Dirty Bastard). More...

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Oct 21, 2011

Toyin rated it:

This book is good that it comes at you from many elements of life- passion, music, practice, I love the way he writes and gets you into thinking about things that are within us...makes me want to start wirting out my Martial Art Movie List.
I'm near the end and looking for a good book to carry me on-

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Jun 13, 2010

Ayelet marked it as to-read

The World's Strongest Librarian gave such a good review of it here that I straight away put it on my to-read list: http://worldsstrongestlibrarian.com/6260...

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Feb 08, 2010

Al rated it:

Language is the tool by which we communicate our view of the real world, if such a thing exisit. This is a young mans spiritual journey to universal consciousness by which we transcend the conditioning of our youth without adopting the exploiters language. His own voice and words are elequent eouugh.

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Jul 01, 2010

Nicole rated it:

Worth reading. RZA makes some profound connections between different schools of philosophy to illustrate how we are constantly surrounded by opportunities for obtaining knowledge and, in turn, wisdom. And for once the concept behind the word God, stripped of all the dogma, rhetoric, and mysterious nonsense of religion, is clear.

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May 24, 2010

Energy rated it:

Absolutely gorgeous and kaleidoscopic, thin and thick like fighting without fighting. A must read for anyone with an affinity for hip hop culture, the knowledge of love and the love of life. My only issue is his brevity in later chapters where he gives one page to subjects that deserve a full chapter.

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Aug 28, 2010

Brian rated it:

A quick, enjoyable read. It gets a little preachy at times, but what do you expect from a book about Taoism? The biographical stuff is especially interesting. I learned a lot about the Wu-Tang members I didn't know before. For instance, did you know Ol' Dirty Bastard's real name is Russell?

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Mar 14, 2011

Renee rated it:

I did enjoy this, but choosing this after my read of Decoded was a tough act to follow. This book is more about his religious beliefs than music. And the reviews about a lot of contradictions are true, but things that would have bothered me more made better sense bc of Jay-Z's book.

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Oct 07, 2010

Soulnicemusic rated it:

Interesting analysis from the RZA from a philosophical and spiritual perspective. Challenges the idea of God but at times gets caught up in Christian rhetoric. My favorite take away is the part on the 12 jewelz and some of the 5% street knowledge.

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