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UnderratedReads is devoted to discovering underrated books and under-represented authors. We highlight hidden gems from around the world–honest reviews only, never pay-to-play.
Category Archives: Bios and Memoirs
Hey Yang, Where’s My Thousand Bucks?: And Other True Stories of Staggering Depth – Andrew Yang
(Reviewed by JD Jung) If you want to understand the mindset and motivations of entrepreneur-turned-politician Andrew Yang, Hey Yang, Where’s My Thousand Bucks? And Other True Stories of Staggering Depth offers an accessible and surprisingly candid look. The book … Continue reading
Freedom Lost, Freedom Won: A Personal History of America – Eugene Robinson
(Reviewed by JD Jung) With the teaching of Black History being eliminated in many school districts, journalist Eugene Robinson is demonstrating its relevance and importance in his new book, Freedom Lost, Freedom Won: A Personal History of America. Through deep … Continue reading
Posted in Bios and Memoirs, History, Reviewers' Top Picks, Social Justice
Tagged black history, Jim Crow, memoirs, racism
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Job Junky – Rudy Ridolfo
(Reviewed by JD Jung) “What the hell d’you know about workin’? You were in the movie business.” (more…)Read More →
Posted in Bios and Memoirs
Tagged drugs, film industry, humor, memoir, occupations
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Where’s My Fortune Cookie? – Phil Proctor, Brad Schreiber
(Reviewed by Don Jung) This memoir is a dazzling look into the wild and bizarre life of the talented Phil Proctor. While he is known as one of the four founding members of the Firesign Theatre, his story is full … Continue reading
Posted in Bios and Memoirs
Tagged 1960s, cartoons, comedy, entertainment, Firesign Theatre, New York City
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It Takes a Lifetime to Learn How to Live: An Italian American story of coming home – Libby Cataldi
(Reviewed by JD Jung) Libby’s life was falling apart. Recently divorced, recovering from breast cancer, and struggling with her son’s heroin addiction, she felt lost and desperate for strength. Though she never got along with her own mother, she fondly … Continue reading
Posted in Bios and Memoirs
Tagged family, Italy, memoir, relationships
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Fight Night 1939: The Champ, the Challenger, and a Portrait of America on the Brink – Joseph Monninger
(Reviewed by JD Jung) I had never heard of Tony Galento before reading this book—the rough-edged heavyweight best known for flooring Joe Louis in the third round of their championship bout. At first glance, his story might seem like a … Continue reading
Posted in Bios and Memoirs, Non-fiction
Tagged Boxing, culture, racism, society, sports
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Horny: Sex Without Scruples – Brad Deep
(Reviewed by JD Jung) Horny: Sex Without Scruples is not your typical memoir; it’s mostly commentary. It’s also raw, unfiltered, and unapologetically blunt, focusing on human sexuality, power dynamics, exploitation, and the complexities of modern relationships. Author Brad Deep, a … Continue reading
Posted in Bios and Memoirs
Tagged exploitation, massage, memoir, sex, Sexual abuse, sexuality
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Outside The Law: How An Ex-Cop Became America’s Most Prolific Bank Robber Since John Dillinger – Mark Ogden & Paul Ogden
(Reviewed by Christopher J. Lynch) Outside The Law follows the life of Bruce Davidson, a decorated Marine, police officer, lawyer, and family man, as he heads down a destructive path of depression, alcoholism, divorce, and financial collapse, before finally … Continue reading
Posted in Bios and Memoirs, Non-fiction
Tagged alcoholism, Crime, depression, military, police
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An important UnderratedRead Revisited: My (Underground) American Dream – Julissa Arce
(Reviewed by JD Jung) “In less than two weeks there was more than a good chance my secret would finally be exposed—the secret that could ruin my life, that could send me to jail, that could end my career before … Continue reading
Posted in Bios and Memoirs, Immigration, World Issues
Tagged DACA, Dream act, illegal immigration, immigration, Mexico
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Yet Here I Am: Lessons from a Black Man’s Search for Home – Jonathan Capehart
(Reviewed by JD Jung) “Everything we do in life is an audition for something. We just don’t know what for yet.” Journalist, commentator, and Pulitzer Prize winning columnist Jonathan Capehart relates his life experiences in his memoir, Yet Here I … Continue reading
Posted in American Politics, Bios and Memoirs
Tagged gay, journalism, memoir, New York, race, truth
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