The Way I Am

By Eminem

Book Overview

Chart topping-and headline-making-rap artist Eminem shares his private reflections, drawings, handwritten lyrics, and photographs in his New York Times bestseller The Way I Am

Fiercely intelligent, relentlessly provocative, and prodigiously gifted, Eminem is known as much for his enigmatic persona as for being the fastest-selling rap artist and the first rapper to ever win an Oscar. Everyone wants to know what Eminem is really like-after the curtains go down. In The Way I Am, Eminem writes candidly, about how he sees the world. About family and friends; about hip-hop and rap battles and his searing rhymes; about the conflicts and challenges that have made him who he is today.

Illustrated with more than 200 full-color and black-and-white photographs-including family snapshots and personal Polaroids, it is a visual self-portrait that spans the rapper's entire life and career, from his early childhood in Missouri to the basement home studio he records in today, from Detroit's famous Hip Hop Shop to sold-out arenas around the globe. Readers who have wondered at Em's intricate, eye- opening rhyme patterns can also see, first-hand, the way his mind works in dozens of reproductions of his original lyric sheets, written in pen, on hotel stationary, on whatever scrap of paper was at hand. These lyric sheets, published for the first time here, show uncut genius at work. Taking readers deep inside his creative process, Eminem reckons with the way that chaos and controversy have fueled his music and helped to give birth to some of his most famous songs (including "Stan," "Without Me," and "Lose Yourself").

Providing a personal tour of Eminem's creative process, The Way I Am has been hailed as "fascinating," "compelling," and "candid."

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B0072Q3LNI
• ISBN13: 9780452296121
• Release Date: October 2009
• Publisher: Plume Books
• Length: 208 Pages
• Weight: 1.85 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 8.1" x 9.7"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

If you're looking for a bio, this is not your book. If you're a huge Eminem fan, go for it.

I was expecting a autobiography but he just talks a bit about a few periods of his life, skipping many others, and filling the book with personal photos and rhyme's sheets. I was disappointed because that was not what I was looking for, but that doesn't mean is a bad one. Just wanted to let you know.

Explains a lot, well worth the wait

Even though I'm a huge Eminem fan, I learned a lot from this book. He covers a lot of subjects that he hasn't before and explains a lot of recent events too. I think the book is very well-written, easy to follow, and very interesting. I've been waiting for Eminem to write a biography for a very long time and I think the wait was well worth it. I'm not too big on reading but I finished this book in three days. If you're an Eminem fan, buy this now. You won't regret it because you'll learn a lot from it.

Fabulous

This book is amazing. You really get to know a lot about Marshall Matthers, Eminem and Slim Shady. The pictures he shares, the lyric pages he shows, it was all very surprising that he was that vulnerable with us (his fans). He is very funny, I found my self laughing out loud a few times. I was sad when it was over...I just wanted more. The dvd is also hilarious.

Incredible book

I am a huge Eminem fan. I have been following his work for years. This book is absolutely amazing. I received my book yesterday and finished it yesterday. I could not put the book down. I am not a book reader at all. But this was hilarious. I felt like he was sitting in front of me telling me his story. He captures you in his words and makes you feel as if you are part of his life. This book will make you feel honored to be a fan, and have you laughing. He such a great down to earth guy! Just like a friend and someone you can relate to. KUDOS to you Marshall!! This book is INCREDIBLE!

Great read for the fans

This book is really great. Since the book is written mostly by him, you will learn A LOT about him, even the most hardcore fans will find somethings new here. He's very open, honest & pretty funny. Also, there's like 20 pages of his lyric sheets with comments on them by him, this was cool for me cause I like seeing how music artist write their stuff (although his handwritting is hard to read). Also there's personal pics (a bunch), drawings (like 4) but mostly this book is like sitting across him and interviewing him.