Up from the Walking Dead: The Charles McGregor Story

I met Charlie at a High School yearbook camp in 1991. He was the selected motivational speaker, there to influence us and to let us hear his story. He was selling copies of his book and signing them for us. Hoestly, all I knew of him was the bit part he played in "Blazing Saddles" the Mel Brooks film. So, I got the book, read it, and OH MY GOD. THe story this man had to tell of his youth growing up in Harlem and New York is totally inspiring. This book is filled with graphic and grisly details of his life, and can go to show everyone that growing up a thug and criminal is not all there is to being a tough guy. This is a man who ended up playing some great roles in Hollywood. This is necessary reading for not only anyone, but especially for those out there who think gang life and being a criminal is the greatest thing that can happen to them, because they are truly wrong about their direction.