I so was looking forward to this book. I really enjoyed 4 out of 25 stories in this collection. Maybe it is just me, but this book just did not work for me. Thanks to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for the arc of this book in return for my honest review. Receiving the book in this manner had no bearing on this review.

At times profound and at others freewheeling, "Busted in New York" examines with a dose of healthy skepticism and a degree of muted philosophy, the 'surveillance' of blacks in America. One of the most interesting essays - the book is a collection of extremely engrossing essays - is the title essay. This essay describes the author's arrest and temporary detention for for smoking marijuana “in the dark of Sixth Street” in Manhattan. There is a part dedicated to the former President Obama and the intricacies and impact his policies have had on the black population in the US. This segment makes for some extremely poignant and revealing reading.

These essays are really thought-provoking, especially for those of us that have not had these experiences. I am going to recommend this to my Myth of Race professor, as I really feel like it should be required reading for that class. Thank you to the author for writing such a great book!

I'm thankful to have this collection of Darryl Pinckney's essays in my hands. This work is a collection of experiences, as lived and documented by a black man in America. This is something that everyone needs to stop and listen to. As Pinckney places his experiences within the context of his vast knowledge of black history, it is jarring to realize how little things have changed in terms of our country's racial divide. He has a pretty matter of fact style, presenting the facts without judgment.

Incredibly thought provoking essays, but, ultimately, I found them too academic and dense for me as a casual reader.