Freeway Rick Ross: The Untold Autobiography

This is a hard book to put down once you pick it up! Freeway Rick has a gift for telling a story, and it seems as if each page plants you in his domain and puts you in the car or room right next to him as he does his thing.I seem to be becoming engrossed in the stories of the 80s drug heyday lately, and have read 10's of books over the past few months on the topic. As a result, my expectations have climbed as I've been fortunate enough to stumble across some good reads in the process. The Untold Autobiography is certainty towards the top of this list.You can't help but like Rick as you read his story in his own words. It's clear the guy is naturally talented, more fearless than most and a born leader. His circumstances growing up in South Central LA (poor education, surrounded by crime) no doubt led him down a road that most only read about in a newspaper and sneer at to themselves, assuming he must be just another uber gang banger. This would be a serious misunderstanding of the man in this book.Really great read, but as a side note, it seems like there are several scenes where the author could expand upon in further books. For instance, how about the early years? It seems like the jump from that first buy to being a bigger player happens in the span of a page or two. Anything notable happen in between?Just a thought (if the writing bug is still nagging at you, or maybe a YouTube or audiobook series). Anyway, great work!

I read this book by Rick Ross and I must say, Kudos!!! Rick Ross turns his life story into life's lesson. He took us chapter by chapter and page by page into his life from being poor and on the streets, to becoming a MILLIONAIRE!!! Johnny Taylor told it best, "Love makes the world go round but money grease the wheels." A true fact. We cannot snub our nose because it is one. I do appreciate the hard cold facts of what he disclosed to the world. We may not agree with it but life is what we make it. It's not what we do but how we do it, a rule of thumb. This story was very enlightening to me because, I have two black sons that are now grown men. They have to make a way in life... A positive way. Even tough Rick chose a route that involved what our society claims as crimes, he did turn his life around. He chose to share his path and experiences with us. By telling all and the outcome really didn't turn out too bad. He got his freedom and have now written a book to show and tell the pros and cons of dealing drugs. In the end, he made the ultimate decision, to do what he had to do; for this I commend him. I encourage people to read his story but with an open mind. Pass it on to your sons and daughters. I hope RR continues to teach throughout the the U.S., because our youth needs to know what this type of life entails. It's not just males but females too. Life is all about CHOICES... God gave us a powerful tool... OUR MIND. It's up to us how we decide to USE IT!!!!

The self-awareness of this man’s life was outstanding. An understanding of how to make monetary value based off your circumstances given is impeccable. He built one of the strongest industries that could rival “legal” pharmaceutical companies. This book teaches me to understand your value as an earner and visionary. Ross is the person that has a motivating energy and I feel that in every single chapter. Recommend read.

Littered with spelling and grammatical errors, and awkward transitions. The author was illiterate for a good portion of his adult life, so it's not surprising, but it appears this book wasn't at all cleaned up by an editor. Most frustrating is the abandoned plot lines. For example, the first part of the book is an emotional and in depth look at the author's childhood, and his relationship with his mother and brother. In the end we never find out much if anything on his adult relationship with them, nor how they reacted to his drug dealing or prison sentence. Also, at several points in the book the author describes a new love interest... only to never speak of her again. Same with moving between cities... The author apparently moved to both Cincinnati and St. Louis during his stint as a drug kingpin... but beyond mentioning the move, the book continues as if he is still lives and operates in Los Angeles.The details on his drug operation aren't as juicy as you might think. He was smarter than your average drug dealer, used good business sense, and leveraged his connections. A lot of the book is familiar 80's/90s Los Angeles drug/gang drama. The author alludes to being a generally passive, non-violent kingpin, but his clear lack of moral compass and empathy in many points of his life, and the people he surrounded himself with, ultimately leaves doubts about his character and how exactly he rose so quickly in the drug game.Despite its problems, the book is an easy, entertaining read. It could have been much better with proper editing and some more revisions.

A fascinating view of a non-suburban lifestyle. Well worth reading. Believable. Had I grown up like Rick Ross (as opposed to middle class plus), and had Rick Ross's talents, I might have done as he did.Fascinating tidbits that surprised me include that:+ People in public housing projects who were suddenly (drug) rich bought Mercedes but did move out of those Projects.+ Rick Ross's main drug supplier was in effect none other than the CIA.+ The growth of Rick Ross's drug business is remarkable similar to the early growth days of McDonalds and Korvettes (as described in "The Fifties" by David Halberstand), particularly in the incredible demand for the product.+ When Rick tells his lawyer that the LA police are planting evidence, that lawyer finds the assertion so jarring that he doesn't believe Rick.+ Overall the legal system did work. For example, those corrupt LA drug squad people ultimately were prosecuted by the Federal Government.

An alternative reality to drugs = Gang Violence = rappersFreeway An illiterate LA home boy with an entrepreneurial spirit identifies a market notes there's a demand and supplies it in the form of crack - leading to dealing with the CIA and the hypocrisy of the American senate and government in the 80s and 90s - Freeway Rick Ross is a motivational speaker and home boy made good entrapaneur- NOT to be confused with Rick Ross the overweight Rapper with delusions of grandeur and attempting to align his prowess with Freeway - NOT IN THE SAME LEAGUE

This, a captivating tale of a man whom unknowingly was part of a huge and sinister CIA operation. Flooding the streets of LA with coke for decades to fund weaponry for a war outside of the US. Rick Ross tells some serious lesson about people, friends and family and even connections. It's amazing to see how a man whom was illiterate for a large amount of time was able to turn it around and put himself in the straight and narrow.

I lived in Los Angeles when the trial of ricky Ross started to make headlines I had heard rumours about him before hand and he had a mythical status which got me interested what transpired in his court case blew me away and is testimony to the corruption of the American government and CIA this story has to be read to be believed

From interviews with the man, seems like there could have been more he could have said and it doesn't really say much about the whole CIA contra affair (see Gary Webb), which is probably the most intriguing part of the story. But it is still a good read besides.

I don't condone dealing but I can understand how a man can turn to it to survive. The Iran contra desk just got swept under the carpet at the time by the set up of Monica Lewensky. The Govt should have been on trial!