Always Outnumbered, Always Outgunned (Abridged) Audiobook

" Socrates Fortlow is an unforgettable protagonist- I'm reminded of Dennis/Cutty from the Wire and many a character from the great August Wilson "

" I read this book over 10 years ago and it still stands out in my mind. Socrates Fortlow is a wonderfully complex and humane character. I still remember vividly his experience trying to get a job shortly after his release from prison. Mosley writes very convincingly about the life and struggles of an ex-con and the problems of urban America. This is one of my favorite books. One of these days I'll read it again so I can write a proper review. "

" Socrates Fortlow is a great character. Book is a nice portrayal of the realities of urban working-class African-American life. "

" This is a good look at being poor and black and an ex-con in Watts. "

" The stories felt like a wound that's scabbing over. At times, healing is evident, at others threatening to gush blood and expose, and a lot of the time an uncomfortable cover that isn't the right size. A fascinating character study in one man's struggle to live. One of those books that I found hard to put down, but kept wanting to slow down at the same time to think about what was being presented. "

" It took me a while to really get IN to this book and link with the main character, Socrates. It could very well be because the nature of the story is out of my realm, so to speak. Half way through, however, I was more engaged. "

" Absolutely incredible. I was totally blown away. "

" Walter Mosley does not disappoint (thanks Gideon) "

" It was hard for me to make the switch from the Easy Rawlings books to this collection. But I did it. I love this book, but I'll be honest I like Easy Rawlings better. "

" Moseley at his best. This guy really knows LA. "

" Socrates is a true hero, not in a flashy sense but in accepting life's lessons and giving to others. His is a life of joy and fulfillment. "

" Fantastic, heartbreaking, humanist writing. The series of short stories start out, about 85% of the time, like most noir would. Then, however, they invariably end up about community, about helping others to live the best they can, and about pride and when to let it go. Such excellent stuff. "

" I'm a huge Mosley fan and this beginning to the Socarates Fortlow series as ok. This book was a bit slower and the Fortlow was somewhat more reflective than his other characters. I'll read the next book and see how it goes... "

" I love this author. I read "a man in my basement" awhile ago and loved it. He has a wonderful way of writing characters. "

" Listened to the audio version of this book. The stories are moving and thought provoking, and Paul Winfield is an AMAZING reader. "

" Perhaps Mosely's best piece "

" not a page-turner. it is to be savored. read slowly. "

" I will add to this review, but it may be one of the most insightful books into a minority's plight in urban America that I have ever read. "

" I sometimes can not get into writings by Walter Mosley, but this is going to be one of my favorite books and characters. Socrates's character has such depth that you want to know more about him. Out of prison and just trying to maintain as a man of color ... we see his lows and celebrate his highs. "

" Not usually a fan of short stories and love a life redeemed. "

" Always terrific. "

" Tough and tender, lots of good sentiment. Thanks for the book James. "

" The last story in this book of short stories (however, it reads like a novel), made a very good book, great. The title of the book does not do it justice. I am Walter Mosley's new #1 fan. "

" Why did I wait so long to give Walter Mosley a try? This man can write. I enjoyed this book, but not nearly as much as I enjoyed his "Last Days of Ptolemy Gray"; that book I LOVED. "

" This book freaked me out at first, but then I could not put it down. The stories of this unlikely philosopher were complex, real and raw. Great fodder for our book club. "

" I love Walter Mosley and this is the first book of his that I read. He is a wonderful story teller. Socrates Fortlow is a flawed and admirable man. HBO did a credible job of making a film of the book, although Natalie Cole did not play the character that Mosley described in the book. "

" This book demonstrates that anything Walter Mosley writes is worth reading, IMO. Mosley has developed some very strong characters, for whom it is difficult not to have empathy and compassion for as they make their way. I read it years after seeing the movie, and both are quite good. "

" This book freaked me out at first, but then I could not put it down. The stories of this unlikely philosopher were complex, real and raw. Great fodder for our book club. "

" Vintage Walter Mosley. Inevitably I find his gritty take-no-prisoners style compelling, and while his stories are disheartening in many ways, he holds my attention and makes me want to pay attention. "

" This review is pretty late. I'm not even sure if the year I read it is correct, but I love Walter Mosley's writing. And if this is a testement, I remembered the main character's name after about four years of reading the book when I forget people's names I've meet recently and see often! "

" Fantastic, heartbreaking, humanist writing. The series of short stories start out, about 85% of the time, like most noir would. Then, however, they invariably end up about community, about helping others to live the best they can, and about pride and when to let it go. Such excellent stuff. "

" Socrates Fortlow is maybe the most human and fascinating character of Mosley's, at least in this book. "

" I learned to look at grubby old men, especially Black ones, with different eyes. This book changed me. "

" Not as great as The Right Mistake: The Further Philosophical Investigations of Socrates Fortlow, but ok. "