Pimp: The Story of My Life

Iceberg Slim

May 2011 · Sold by Simon and Schuster

About this eBook

“[In Pimp], Iceberg Slim breaks down some of the coldest, capitalist concepts I’ve ever heard in my life.” —Dave Chappelle, from his Nextflix special The Bird Revelation

Pimp sent shockwaves throughout the literary world when it published in 1969. Iceberg Slim’s autobiographical novel offered readers a never-before-seen account of the sex trade, and an unforgettable look at the mores of Chicago’s street life during the 1940s, 50s, and 60s. In the preface, Slim says it best, “In this book, I will take you, the reader, with me into the secret inner world of the pimp.” An immersive experience unlike anything before it, Pimp would go on to sell millions of copies, with translations throughout the world. And it would have a profound impact upon generations of writers, entertainers, and filmmakers, making it the classic hustler’s tale that never seems to go out of style.

Ratings and reviews

I watched a movie about Iceburg and decided to read the book.... Call me a "square" but it's almost unbelievable how cruel people can be to each other or how easily a woman can give her power away. It was an interesting read and, at the end of the sat, it shows that sometimes people do what they do out of ignorance.

Fascinating read. Great insight into a time and culture that is not a documented as well as others. The imagery was raw and exciting. Only a player in the game could give the story this level of authenticity. It begs to wonder if, with the right opportunity, how would Iceberg Slim and the other pimps like him turn out. But then again, this story would have never been told. He is pure genius and I am glad to have discovered this book before I croaked. He has inspired me to "keep my game tight" but I will do so legally and respectfully; especially to women.

Laced up game to the fullest. Make you really miss the old days, time are different now, so please don't go try this and end up with a human trafficking case! If you have any thoughts just remember you are more of a gigolo, a male escort, you're not the pimpin. It's a cold game, cold world and that hooker cold heart gonna lead to some stone cold time basically for no reason, so remember what I told you. Good book, just curious how can you love and have the desire so much for something so great to you that it can make you escape prison twice to have a chance at it but then you leave it all behind for a chick who quacks. So apparently Slim didn't live by his word cause if so he wouldn't never have fallen in love. Matter of fact I haven't heard the saying I don't love them ho's in a long time, lol. I definitely read this book so many time to help my understanding to the picture that was painted for me at that time, this book was more like a reality check for in so many ways, definitely a blessing and 10 stars

About the author

Iceberg Slim, also known as Robert Beck, was born in Chicago in 1918 and was initiated into the life of the pimp at age eighteen. He briefly attended the Tuskegee Institute but dropped out to return to the streets of the South Side, where he remained, pimping until he was forty-two. After several stints in jail he decided to give up the life and turned to writing. Slim folded his life into the pages of seven books based on his life. Catapulted into the public eye, Slim became a new American hero, known for speaking the truth whether that truth was ugly, sexy, rude, or blunt. He published six more books based on his life and Slim died at age 73 in 1992; one day before the Los Angeles riots.