Plain Talk and Common Sense from the Black Avenger

Called the ""black Rush Limbaugh,"" Hamblin is the host of a nationally syndicated talk-radio show with millions of listeners. In his first book, he gives his audience more of what it wants: blistering diatribes against liberals, feminists, gays and other targets of conservatives. With zeal that often pushes the limits of journalistic etiquette, he covers a wide range of topics--from Oprah Winfrey's admittedly unsuccessful million-dollar effort in 1994 to move 100 families out of public housing, to his belief that minimum wage jobs are the key to economic success, to President Clinton's alleged exploitation of ""unsophisticated black American constituents"" with hot-button issues such as slavery. Cobbled together from columns Hamblin has written for the New York Times Syndicate and the Denver Post, the text is occasionally deliberately rude or inflammatory (he refers to ""radical feminist babes"" and advances capital punishment for teens). He attacks affirmative action and quotas, warns against gay parents and sees a new racial harmony in America despite liberal claims to the contrary. Many of Hamblin's views on the African-American community will stir debate, including his claims that hip-hop music is ""black trash culture"" and that African-Americans ""with victim mentalities...insist on conjuring up images of white racists blocking their every opportunity to get ahead."" This opposition to any and all gun control legislation is passionate, timely and very familiar. Apparently unconcerned with persuading the opposition, Hamblin clearly relishes preaching to his converts. 9-city author tour. (June)