From the title of this work, the reader might expect a straight memoir of political activist, journalist, and death row prisoner Mumia Abu- Jamal's time in the Philadelphia branch of the Black Panther Party (BPP). However, while the author does incorporate some personal reminiscences into his work, the vast majority of the text is a general historical discussion of the radical black liberation group, its strengths and weaknesses, and the continuous (and successful) efforts by the FBI to destroy it as an organization. He offers chapters exploring the roots of the party, its establishment and growth, the role of leadership in the BPP, the position of women, the activities of the FBI's anti-BPP COINTELPRO (Counter Intelligence Program), and the dissolution of the party. Annotation ©2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)