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My Manz and 'Em
Growing up in the West Second street housing projects, in Plainfield, New Jersey, Malik Jones has based his life and reputation in the streets on loyalty. The son of a hustler, yet fatherless, he is raised by a single, working, mother of three. Malik's life is impacted by these circumstances as he easily become influenced by his surroundings at a young age. Teaming up with neighborhood friends, Malik climbs the criminal ladder, gaining instant status in the streets.
Now a seasoned veteran in the game, Malik is ready to take he and his crew to the top until he is taught a valueable lesson. After an inevitable prison sentence, finding himself and religion, Malik is returning to the streets with the intent of climbing a new ladder and taking a better path then before. With a new outlook on life, in the process, Malik is even able to discover real love.
But as with anything else in life, you must crawl before you can walk. See what Malik Jones is faced with as he struggles to crawl in a world where it seems the deck is stacked against him... especially after he runs back into his Manz And 'Em!
Now a seasoned veteran in the game, Malik is ready to take he and his crew to the top until he is taught a valueable lesson. After an inevitable prison sentence, finding himself and religion, Malik is returning to the streets with the intent of climbing a new ladder and taking a better path then before. With a new outlook on life, in the process, Malik is even able to discover real love.
But as with anything else in life, you must crawl before you can walk. See what Malik Jones is faced with as he struggles to crawl in a world where it seems the deck is stacked against him... especially after he runs back into his Manz And 'Em!
387 pages, Paperback
First published January 4, 2007
About the author
J.M. Benjamin
30 books58 followersJ.M. Benjamin is an ambitious and witty writer from Plainfield, New Jersey. He is the author of Down in the Dirty, which won the Best Street Novel of the Year Award in 2006, an honor bestowed to him by the African American Literary Awards Show. His sophomore novel, My Manz and ‘Em was released in early 2007 and he has contributed to several anthologies: Menace II Society, Christmas 'N The Hood with Nikki Turner, and Hood Legends.
J.M.Benjamin has been compared to two literary greats; Claude Brown and Donald Goines for his ability to entertain and educate, and his passionate work ethics. J.M. Benjamin was released from prison, fully loaded and prepared to enter into a new game with the same drive and approach he had when he ran the streets. However, this time he has a different product to offer.
Susan Hampstead, Senior Editor of Don Diva Magazine is quoted as calling J.M. Benjamin "A new and exciting underground writer making noise, destined to solidify his spot in urban literature."
Readers familiar with Mr. Benjamin's work enjoy his uncanny ability to keep you in suspense, engulfed and entertained, and new fans will not be disappointed by his outstanding stories.
J.M.Benjamin has been compared to two literary greats; Claude Brown and Donald Goines for his ability to entertain and educate, and his passionate work ethics. J.M. Benjamin was released from prison, fully loaded and prepared to enter into a new game with the same drive and approach he had when he ran the streets. However, this time he has a different product to offer.
Susan Hampstead, Senior Editor of Don Diva Magazine is quoted as calling J.M. Benjamin "A new and exciting underground writer making noise, destined to solidify his spot in urban literature."
Readers familiar with Mr. Benjamin's work enjoy his uncanny ability to keep you in suspense, engulfed and entertained, and new fans will not be disappointed by his outstanding stories.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
July 25, 2012
All Eyez on Malik
On a dark day for the Jones family, Malik is sentenced to prison. His days of dealing and killing have caught up to him. After ten long years of the harsh, unforgiving environment, Malik is released. He entered as a boy and exited a man. A man rooted with strong convictions and religious beliefs. A man determined to apply all that he had learned during incarceration. A man who plans to stay on the straight and narrow. But will all that be enough once Malik is back on his old stomping grounds surrounded by people who don't feel the same way? Will the lure of the fast streets and easy money be too much? Will Malik be influenced by his manz and `em? One wrong decision could mean disaster.
Award winning author J.M. Benjamin skillfully captures respected hustler Malik Jones as he struggles to satisfy the demands of the outside world. He is forced to deal with issues and people that send him on a collision course with redemption or destruction. "My Manz and `Em" is a thought-provoking, gritty urban tale that resonates truth. Benjamin vividly depicts Malik's emotional and physical strife. Chapter after chapter, we learn a little more about Malik and feel his struggle, hoping that he'll make the right decisions. The only flaw with this book is the editing, but I am sure J.M. will have that handled before the release of "Heaven & Earth."”
On a dark day for the Jones family, Malik is sentenced to prison. His days of dealing and killing have caught up to him. After ten long years of the harsh, unforgiving environment, Malik is released. He entered as a boy and exited a man. A man rooted with strong convictions and religious beliefs. A man determined to apply all that he had learned during incarceration. A man who plans to stay on the straight and narrow. But will all that be enough once Malik is back on his old stomping grounds surrounded by people who don't feel the same way? Will the lure of the fast streets and easy money be too much? Will Malik be influenced by his manz and `em? One wrong decision could mean disaster.
Award winning author J.M. Benjamin skillfully captures respected hustler Malik Jones as he struggles to satisfy the demands of the outside world. He is forced to deal with issues and people that send him on a collision course with redemption or destruction. "My Manz and `Em" is a thought-provoking, gritty urban tale that resonates truth. Benjamin vividly depicts Malik's emotional and physical strife. Chapter after chapter, we learn a little more about Malik and feel his struggle, hoping that he'll make the right decisions. The only flaw with this book is the editing, but I am sure J.M. will have that handled before the release of "Heaven & Earth."”
January 31, 2009
My Manz
Malik's ten year bid has proven him to be a changed man. Converting to the Muslim faith has brought out the strong and knowledgeable black man that was trapped out in the streets. Malik knows that parole is near and must lean on his faith and his brothers locked down in order to face his manz & 'em.
Time has flown by and Cheddar, Dub and Pete have been making money for the last ten years. Being well aware that they did not hold their manz and his family down for the ten years that he was gone does not stop them from hoping that they all can still be cool, make paper and be able to eat when he gets out the joint.
As the four friends come face to face with the fact that they have all changed over the years, the streets are not ready for the war between my manz and 'em.
I really was feeling Down in the Dirty and knew that J.M. deserved all the recognition that he has been blessed with, but I also know that some authors tend to fall off when it is time to put the pen to the paper again. J.M. has done the opposite and gives you all the elements of a seasoned storyteller. There were a few grammatical problems, but it does not take away from the book or J.M.'s extraordinary talent.
Reviewed by: LaDonna
Malik's ten year bid has proven him to be a changed man. Converting to the Muslim faith has brought out the strong and knowledgeable black man that was trapped out in the streets. Malik knows that parole is near and must lean on his faith and his brothers locked down in order to face his manz & 'em.
Time has flown by and Cheddar, Dub and Pete have been making money for the last ten years. Being well aware that they did not hold their manz and his family down for the ten years that he was gone does not stop them from hoping that they all can still be cool, make paper and be able to eat when he gets out the joint.
As the four friends come face to face with the fact that they have all changed over the years, the streets are not ready for the war between my manz and 'em.
I really was feeling Down in the Dirty and knew that J.M. deserved all the recognition that he has been blessed with, but I also know that some authors tend to fall off when it is time to put the pen to the paper again. J.M. has done the opposite and gives you all the elements of a seasoned storyteller. There were a few grammatical problems, but it does not take away from the book or J.M.'s extraordinary talent.
Reviewed by: LaDonna
August 8, 2012
It is well known that as time passes friends may outgrow each other and for Malik Jones this is definitely the case. Fresh out of the pen after a ten year bid, Malik braces himself for a return to the life he left behind. Now a dedicated Muslim, Malik is aiming to stay on the straight and narrow, but as the saying goes, you can't teach an old dog new tricks and it only a matter of time and circumstance before Malik finds himself surrounded by his old Manz and Em and all the drama they bring. A great insight into the evils and struggles faced by ex-cons trying their best to reenter society on a positive note, you will not only read about the trials they face, you will touch, taste and feel their pains, with My Manz and Em.
1. What did you like best about this book?
I liked how the author portrayed the main chracte, Malik, and Ex-con in a personable light. He wasn't extra hard o soft. He was real.
2. What did you dislike about this book?
I feel that the amount of slang used in this book both helped and distracted the reader.
3. How can the author improve this book?
There are some editing issues that need to be addressed, but other than that this book is fine the way it is.
1. What did you like best about this book?
I liked how the author portrayed the main chracte, Malik, and Ex-con in a personable light. He wasn't extra hard o soft. He was real.
2. What did you dislike about this book?
I feel that the amount of slang used in this book both helped and distracted the reader.
3. How can the author improve this book?
There are some editing issues that need to be addressed, but other than that this book is fine the way it is.
May 8, 2008
My Manz and 'em is about Maleek, trying to survive between prison and The Bricks he feels he can't win for losing. The story starts out explaining how Maleek found religion while locked up doing a ten year bid and what it was like for him on the inside. Maleek realizes a few things in his life that he needed to come to par with. One is that you don't know what is missing until it's gone and everyone has a limitation you just have to figure out yours. Maleek has been to hell and back, but remember one thing life is what you make it. You live by the gun; you will die by the gun.
My Manz and 'em was a good book. I really started enjoying the book when the drama starting setting in that was somewhere around the middle of the book. I also appreciated the love that Maleek shared with his mother and how he was protective of his sisters as well. Just like anyone else he was trying to make a living and became deeply frustrated, because society was not going to accept him either way. He did what any other man would do for his family; remember only the strong survive.
My Manz and 'em was a good book. I really started enjoying the book when the drama starting setting in that was somewhere around the middle of the book. I also appreciated the love that Maleek shared with his mother and how he was protective of his sisters as well. Just like anyone else he was trying to make a living and became deeply frustrated, because society was not going to accept him either way. He did what any other man would do for his family; remember only the strong survive.
January 9, 2009
Game Plan
MY MANZ AND `EM details the life of Malik Jones, a hardened hustler from Plainfield, NJ, serving time for manslaughter. Once freed of his ten year restraints, Malik, now a Muslim, tries desperately to walk the straight and narrow. However, life isn't easy for an ex-con. As Malik desperately tries to maintain and provide for his family, he finds that he's on his last leg. Will Malik be violated by his PO or will he betray his family, religion, and his newfound freedom?
I loved the title, enjoyed the read, but the editing could've been much better. My Manz And `Em makes for an interesting read as you weigh the choices people make. Although I enjoyed the concept, I for one want to read more from the J.M. who wrote about Dicer in Menace II Society.
MY MANZ AND `EM details the life of Malik Jones, a hardened hustler from Plainfield, NJ, serving time for manslaughter. Once freed of his ten year restraints, Malik, now a Muslim, tries desperately to walk the straight and narrow. However, life isn't easy for an ex-con. As Malik desperately tries to maintain and provide for his family, he finds that he's on his last leg. Will Malik be violated by his PO or will he betray his family, religion, and his newfound freedom?
I loved the title, enjoyed the read, but the editing could've been much better. My Manz And `Em makes for an interesting read as you weigh the choices people make. Although I enjoyed the concept, I for one want to read more from the J.M. who wrote about Dicer in Menace II Society.
December 11, 2010
a little TOO thuggish.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews