I am an African American female.

I have very mixed feelings about this novel. What was GOOD -- explaining the criminal mind while engaging in a crime, high school rivalries, prison life, post-prison life.

What was SAD -- McCall's anger/hatred/violence directed at black women, the girls he gang-raped in high school, the one he planned to kill after sex in a car, his crazed criticism of his wife, his illegitimate children (again blaming their mother alone as if he himself never heard of a condom).

Also, SAD -- McCall had no problem committing crimes against black people in his own community yet he admitted that he would dare not challenge a White police officer's authority on the street! Also, this lying, raping, stealing excuse of a Black man gets caught by America's justice system and now he cries "racism" the way his female victims tried to cry "rape." Like them, no one hears McCall's cry. Next, McCall lies to get a job and is upset over getting caught! He steals and is upset over being watched by others! DUHH! -- MCCALL, YOU ARE MISSING A FEW FRIES FROM YOUR HAPPY MEAL!!

The worst part of this novel is that McCall grew up in a decent home with a father/stepfather. Yet McCall criticized everyone: his stepfather working for white people, Blacks who travelled, white people (yet he confessed having sex with a white woman was some kind of Black male rite of passage).

This is a well-written book by a very disturbed criminal who happens to be a black male. (The book's subtitle is a complete misnomer!!) The only time McCall claims "Blackness" was when he got himself in trouble and needed a way out.

Reading the other reviews of this book, and seeing that many reviewers wondered where McCall's self-judgement or remorse came in, I don't think this book would be the same if McCall spent 400+ pages whining about what mistakes me made. He lets the errors of judgement and difficulties of life stand out glaringly clear to all of those who should choose to read them.

This was one of the most profound, important books I've ever read for several reasons. One, it helped me understand the black male psyche from one point of view (mccall's) but when paired with other "prison" writings (cleaver, malcolm x) can help a non-black person understand the difficulties that black males go through in this society. Two, I teach in a poor neighborhood in NYC and this book helped me understand a lot of the mental stress and strain young children are under. When living amongst an oppressed people, where money/status/power/priviledge/mobility are slim, the tricks and games humans will play on each other to get ahead/survive may seem crazy or illogical to those of us who don't live that life. To those that do, it is real. I was better able to understand the pressures of being black, and the different masks black men wear, by reading this book. Three, this book shows how difficult it can be to turn around from past mistakes/actions, but how one must continue. McCall's life could've turned out so differently. He kept fighting and made it so he could have a "piece of the pie" and actually provide something to his children, and show his parents all their help was not totally lost, and prove to himself that he could do it. He said, after serving three years in prison, that he believed he could do anything if he made it out alive. That belief was tested at times when he went through difficulties at various workplaces, with his women, or in the transition back into society from prison. He even went so far as to think for a second that prison was an easier place to be (monastic) because there he could focus entirely on himself, and all threats were known entities. Four, this book helped me at a time in my life where i felt (feel) the walls are closing in on me. My problems are not so deep as McCall's, but i know what it feels like to feel that there are NO options, or the few you have are all bad, and you must simply do the best you can, keep thinking, keep struggling. This is a story of a spirit unwilling to throw in the towel, determined to carry out the strength that miraculously keeps it alive, striving, growing, despite all odds.

I will never forget this book. For those who say it ought to be required reading, I agree. It is an amazingly honest memoir. I'm not disappointed in McCall for not showing "remorse" or appearing contrite about what he's done. He lets his words speak clearly to us, showing us that he has learned from his mistakes, otherwise he'd be unable to sit down and write a book as honest and powerful as this one.

MAKES ME WANNA HOLLER stayed with me longer than any other book I've ever read. It's the story of a life like nothing I'd ever imagined and it gave me nightmares for weeks.

This book is extremely well-written, so much so that you feel the pain of the victims, moreso than that of the writer.

McCall writes about his misspent youth, the drug culture, fights, robberies and gang rapes, in which he participated. He's truthful about his failure with marriage and women in general. He even discusses being arrested and his time in prison, where he worked on his writing craft. Then he questions why main stream America doesn't want to accept him with open arms.

It's amazing that through all of his wrongs, this book offers no hint of shame or repentance. He's not the epitome of "a young black man in America". He's an ex lowlife who doesn't know it. He's the kind of person that's easy to hate.

But because of his honesty in his subject matter and his excellent writing ability, I think this book is a masterpiece. It should be required high school and college reading. MAKES ME WANNA HOLLER is definitely an eye opener.

McCall has a lot of perspective on racial issues. So much perspective, in fact that he understands how both whites AND blacks view each other. Whites think blacks are stupid, whites don't want to live around blacks (integration is just a pretense for giving blacks the boot)You'll get the basic idea after a couple chapters. There's no need to think for yourself when you've got someone as brilliant as McCall telling you how you think.

The Author of the acclaimed bestseller "Makes Me Wanna Holler" strikes again with a collection of personal essays and observations entitled "What's Going On". Nathan McCall challenges readers to view the world through his eyes and share his experiences using a fluid writing style and substantive content.

Entering a new millennium, African Americans are faced with many so-called "hot button" topics. Many of these issues have been discussed and belabored at length. Some of these issues are so sensitive that authors, politicians, and community leaders will often shy away from them being careful not to damage hard earned notoriety. McCall is clearly not vying for first prize in any popularity contests; likewise, he makes sure to point out which of his views he knows will not be shared by many of his readers."What's Going On" addresses issues pertinent to blacks of this generation and his feelings regarding issues African Americans face in our daily lives.

While a book of personal opinion may not sound like an exciting read, "What's Going On" carries a heavyweight punch that travels from different ends of the spectrum and tends to surprise readers with every new chapter. In McCall's first book, the autobiography "Makes Me Wanna Holler", I was impressed with this authors journey from convicted felon to well traveled, acclaimed Washington Post Reporter. The autobiography was so inspirational to me that I jumped at the opportunity to read his newest creation. McCall's candor in all of the subject matter addressed is both poignant and refreshing. It's reasonable to assume that most African American readers will not agree with every single point, however it does provide an entertaining yet thought provoking look at modern day society.

I recommend "What's Going On" to the over 35 crowd, particularly those with a keen interest in current events. I also feel that these essays would make perfect topics for book club discussions. I give "What's Going On" a rating of 4.

Nathan McCall is now 2 for 2. After the classic "Makes me Wanna Holler," he gives us this insightful read. Some might think he harps on racial issues too much, but even in 2002, these issues are still relevant to so many. His chapter on gangster rap is right on the money, and I would even add, as an educator, that rap music has become a bad influence on all races (suburban whites buy more hardcore rap than anyone else). His chapter on Muhammad Ali is one of the most poignant pieces I have ever read, and left me in tears. So often while reading this, you find yourself nodding your head, agreeing with what he's saying. We're lucky to have his perceptive books, and I like many am wondering when his next one is coming (it's been 5 years!). Hopefully soon Mr. McCall.

I am an African-American female and I read this book at the urging of a friend. The only thing I wanted to do when I finished it was put my arms around Mr. Call and let him know to not be so afraid. I wanted to say to him, "It's gonna be alright."

The book brings to mind "Man Child In the Promised Land" (Claude Brown), in that it chronicles Mr. Call's life from early youth to present day. It seems as he struggles to find his place in the world, he goes through hurt, disappointment, does some jail time, struggles to improve himself and eventually finds a job as a writer for the Atlanta Journal Constitution (kudos to them for hiring an former offender). It's almost a proverb: "If you do jail time, you'll end up a more productive memeber of the society." (Why is it that more than a few African American men must do jail time before producing, other than offspring, in this society ?). Unlike "The Autobiography of Malcolm X" (Alex Haley)or Manchild, there was little humor, and very few incidences joy. He mentions relationships with women (one must be specific these days) that are blanketed in fear and poor communication. There is the sense that all his cards are never on the table ---in any situation,--though he really would like to be comfortable with putting them there. The book is eloquent. It truly makes you want to holler (before you finish it) because it pulls you into his pain. It's no picnic being an African American male in this society. His book sites the reasons this is so for those African American brothers in his socio-economic strata. Read it so you can feel it.