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Liked It “America's True Gangster Mr. Bumpy Johnson Thank You Mrs. Johnson for sharing this true to heart story about Bumpy Johnson with alot of history intertwined. I looked at American Gangster and Hollywood have it all wrong. From reading this book about Bumpy's life, I feel that he...” see full review » see other reviews » |
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“This book provide you with an insight of Bumpy Johnson, the Harlem Godfather. His widow, whose still living at the age of 90+, set the scene for Harlem in the early 1900's. Mrs Mayme( his widow) tells of Bumpy's rise in status from Charleston,South Carolina to Harlem, New York. This story is full of names, dates, & places. Of course it's no secret that Bumby was a crimnal at best, however he was close friends with some famous people like Duke Ellington, Lena Horne, Bill Bojangles to say the least. The most important message to take from this is that Mrs. Mayme dispell the story of Frank White, the infamous character from the movie American Gangster. If you're wondering & want to learn more, then Harlem Gangster The Rap on Ellsworth Bumpy Johnson is a must read for you. ”
Dana M wrote this review Wednesday, July 22 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“This book is full of history. I really enjoyed it. Reading about that era was entertaining and a little scary knowing that it's true. Mayme Johnson's recollections are extaordinary & so colorful.
Gwen H wrote this review Friday, July 17 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
She proved that she was not just a bystander but an integral part of Bumpy's life. Kudos to her. There's not many women who could have dealt with that sort of life. It just goes to show that "love triumphs over all."
GH”“ America's True Gangster Mr. Bumpy Johnson Thank You Mrs. Johnson for sharing this true to heart story about Bumpy Johnson with alot of history intertwined. I looked at American Gangster and Hollywood have it all wrong. From reading this book about Bumpy's life, I feel that he helped pave the way and made Harlem what it is to this day, and his legend still lives thru Harlem. This story was told from his childhood years until his last days. I felt I truly knew Bumpy Johnson when I read the book, but while reading, I wished I had not only knew Mr. Johnson, but I wished only for a glimpse of The Harlem Godfather. This book is told thru his wife's voice, and it was no fairy tale, but it was told from the heart of a woman who loved him the most. I not only learned about Bumpy, but I learned about others such as Lena Horne, Bill "Bojangles", Lucky Luciano, Flash Walker (who Frank Lucas so wanted his life to be) and Billie Holiday. I was the most amazed at how a young little boy from the south that came to Harlem and took over. I also have to give Bumpy his credit whatever he went thru or did, he still loved his people and did his time like a true man and snitching wasn't even in his vocabulary. Thanks Mrs. Mayme Johnson and Karen E. Quinones from setting the record straight for all of America. Thanks for educating me on a part of American History of Bumpy Johnson, and telling me a story that I will will always know who the real Bumpy Johnson really was from his start until that last tear from my eyes to the end of the book!! Bumpy Johnson, Harlem's and America's True Gangster R.I.P. !! ”
token787 wrote this review Monday, March 17 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Harlem Godfather: The Rap on myHusband, Ellsworth “Bumpy” Johnson by Mayme Johnson and Karen E Quinones Miller, is a non-fiction book about crime in Harlem from 1930s to the late 1960s. Violent fights for the numbers racket (we called it Policy in Chicago), beatings, and killings filled the pages from beginning to end. Nearly all of the action takes place on the streets of Harlem, New York down to the exact corners. Considering all of the above, it's still an entertaining read about a life-size thug, gangster, big-time criminal and Black Godfather of Harlem. Want to know the link to the movie American Gangster and Frank Lucas’s relationship to “Bumpy?” Mrs. Johnson tells it all. She lived it. Her voice is authentic and true to the era. At 91, she did a remarkable job of telling Bumpy and his cohorts’ story. Karen E Quinones Miller did an excellent job cowriting and laying down Mrs. Johnson’s words into an easy flow. Harlem Godfather is even comical in places – I found myself laughing out loud. Honor among thieves? Mrs. Johnson says sometimes. Make no mistake this is an adult book. I enjoyed the change of pace. I give it three and a half stars. ”
MinnieEstelle wrote this review Monday, March 17 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“I knew of this man through my uncle who often regaled us with stories of places he'd traveled as a Pullman porter. For those who are not familiar with porters, read the life story of Asa Phillip Randolph who organized Pullman Porters as one of the first black unions. Anyway, I read this book shortly after the film "American Gangster" came out. Interesting read.”
drbarbera wrote this review Sunday, February 3 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
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