Belly of the Beast

by Caleb Alexander

Caleb Alexander has woven his most explosive and provocative tale to date. Belly of the Beast takes the readers on a violent, gut wrenching, deeply emotional journey through the American prison... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0982649908
• ISBN13: 9780982649909
• Release Date: September 2013
• Publishers: Golden Ink Publishing, First Edition
• Length: 274 Pages
• Weight: 0.95 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.5" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

A Society Written Off

Welcome to the belly of the beast, otherwise known as the federal prison system. When Christian a.k.a. "C" and best friend Enrique a.k.a. Henry get locked up together, they soon realize that it is survival of the fittest...where races are divided and racist prison guards work. This is Christian's emotional journey through the belly of the beast. This is where friends become enemies, life soon results in death, color lines are drawn, and gangs, rapes and riots are commonplace. Christian goes on to found an organization called Umkhonto, one that will protect the brothers or the blacks and try to run interference with other groups within the prison with the hopes of keeping the violence down. With Umkhonto, it was Christian's hope that they take the unity and do whatever it is they can to help another brother out when they got out into the free world. Belly of the Beast by Caleb Alexander is unlike any urban-lit novel you will ever read. This book is told from an inmate's point of view on life inside the federal prison system. It is a heart-wrenching novel that will make you cringe. It is a journey told from a young brother that through his life experiences being locked up like an animal, becomes a man behind bars. Mr. Alexander did a fantastic job with this novel, and I absolutely loved the knowledge he dropped. Belly of the Beast was not only educational, but enlightening. Reviewed by Leona for Urban Reviews

If Only You Knew Your Power

Christian Alexander is a crack dealer headed to the Belly of the Beast. A young dude in the streets, he is naive about life and even less knowledgeable about what it truly means to be a man as his uncle, and only male mentor, was killed in the street, while his father, a prisoner, is consumed with serving his own sentence. Christian is confident that once his time is served he'll return to the free world with a valuable crack connect to step his game up to a higher level. Christian doesn't realize that his life will forever be changed inside of FCI in Big Springs, Texas. BELLY OF THE BEAST written by Caleb Alexander is riveting from start to finish. I love how he is able to bring prison to the readers. From the politics, riots, democracy and hate, he shows you that knowledge, brotherhood and love can be found amongst ALL black men, regardless of nationality or creed, as they struggle to survive together. This is an emotional journey that needs to be shared. After reading EASTSIDE I've been waiting to see what else Caleb would deliver, under his own name, and trust me when I say, I'm glad to add a MUST READ tag to such a valuable resource. "God works through people." Reviewed by: Crystal

Surviving The System

Experience the life of an inmate through Christian Alexander's awakening stay in the prison system, where the rawest, deadliest of emotions are all on lock and ready to erupt at the hint of a tremor. With the violence, racism, and back stabbing banging on Christian's cell bars everyday, it's a struggle living in the "Belly". Even the glimmer of hope from outside emotional ties, are tarnished as changes take place and Christian's hands are tied. Survival tactics kick in and Christian has made up his mind to serve his time and be reunited with his family alive, and with a sound mind...but at what cost? Hold on tight...you're in for one hell of a ride inside the Belly of the Beast! No imagination necessary as author Caleb Alexander pens a realistic journey that spills directly off the pages in the purest form! Meet the prominent cast of characters and experience the violent and emotional hostility that resides in the BELLY OF THE BEAST! This gritty read is not to be missed! Locksie ARC Book Club Inc.

Power from Within

Reading Advisory: Please be warned that if you are looking for the typical street/urban lit read, this is NOT the book for you. If you are looking for the recipe of add drug dealer, girl with big booty, shake and stir, again, this is NOT the book for you. Instead, this book starts where all those books stop. It deals with the harsh reality of the consequences of the street lifestyle. Where the C.O., the warden, or a sharp piece of metal doesn't care who you were on the streets. Where death is always right around the corner doesn't care how much money you stacked. Where you are identified by a reg number, your race or your religious affiliation. Where Gucci and Prada are replaced with prison issued uniforms. Where steak and lobster are replaced with the unidentifiable. Where fiction ends and reality begins. Welcome to the BELLY OF THE BEAST! After his uncle, the last male figure in his life, is murdered, Christian Alexander takes to the streets. Killing, wheeling and dealing, he quickly becomes just a statistic - another incarcerated black man. "Belly of the Beast" chronicles his journey as an inmate, and more importantly, as a man. Caleb Alexander's gift of writing is on full display with Golden Ink Publishing's debut, "Belly of the Beast." He tells a compelling story of survival, growth and redemption. It is refreshing, powerful and thought-provoking. Alexander crafts a tale that is as moving as it is entertaining and insightful. Caleb Alexander has built a large base of unknowing fans as the ghostwriter behind some of street lit's biggest books. I am happy to see him writing for himself and hope that success carries over, as it should. Be sure to also check out Eastside (Strebor on the Streetz), another powerful book by this gifted brother.

The Realest Stuff I Ever Read

Okay, where to start? This book is mad crazy! Dude goes into the Belly of the Beast, and has to survive in the worst of the worst. Mistakes are made, the brothers organize, and things get really wild. This book is about surviving in a system where everything is stacked against them. This book gives up the real deal, no sugar coating it. From the riots, to the guards, to the petty B.S., to the drama that goes on inside and out. This book ain't your typical 'hood book', or 'street lit' joint. This book takes you on a real journey through the system, and you learn as you read. It's edutainment on the real. It's violent, and it ain't for everybody. If you looking for something real, and exciting, then this is for you. If you looking for the same old 'dope dealer' hood story, then this ain't for you. On the real, this cat can write.