Kill 'Em and Leave

Unlike most biographers of such heroes of black music, McBride writes from inside the culture, loosely entwining his own story with that of his subject. There is bitterness here as well as celebration . . . This is not the smoothest or most comprehensive of biographies. But it has soul, and in this case that counts for more - Guardian, best music books of 2016

The definitive look at one of the greatest, most important entertainers, The Godfather, Da Number One Soul Brother, Mr Please, Please Himself

Thoughtful and probing . . . when McBride digs in, especially when describing the music - that massive, unstoppable, titanic, world-shaking accomplishment - by virtue of his own training as a saxophonist, he does so with great warmth, insight and frequent wit . . . James McBride's welcome elucidation of these points is clear, deeply felt and unmistakable - New York Times Book Review

The author of the best-selling memoir The Color of Water and the National Book Award-winning novel The Good Lord Bird turns out to also be the biographer of James Brown we've all been waiting for . . . McBride's true subject is race and poverty in a country that doesn't want to hear about it, unless compelled by a voice that demands to be heard - New York magazine