Tha Doggfather: The Times, Trials, and Hardcore Truths of Snoop Dogg

In this cross between a memoir and a manifesto, rapper Snoop Dogg (aka Calvin Broadus) saves discussions of his hip-hop career until the book's last quarter. For most of the book, he delivers candid thoughts and colorful anecdotes from his upbringing in Long Beach, Calif., to his time as a gangbanger, jailed drug dealer, musician and cultural lightning rod, all told in lucid prose that maintains the inflections of street talk. When Snoop does reach the part of his life with which his fans might be familiar, he has become so likable that readers will cheer for his professional success and acquittal on murder charges. Certainly Snoop has his unapologetic moments: he rants, ""until you can give them [inner city youth] something better to belong to--and I'm not talking about midnight basketball or summer jobs or junior fucking achievers--they're going to be shooting at each other."" But beneath this bluster is an introspection rare among the celebrity class. Snoop wonders, ""What did it all [partying] have to do with making music?"" He explains: ""I wanted my life to be like one of those action movie previews we saw down at the multiplex--all the highlights singled out and strung together... but I don't have to tell you that most of those movies turn out to be a ripoff."" Like the verses Snoop raps, his book comes fast and full of insight. 25 photos. (Dec.)