America always has a soft spot for success stories in which the odds are against the protagonist. The story of the underdog faced with adversity is inspiring and reminds us that failure is not always the end. I saw this autobiography and asked myself if I had heard of Stacey Spikes. The title is eye catching, and I did anticipate a discussion of race in the book. However, that is not the case here. Although the issue does come up on occasion, the story told within is about drive, passion and finding your vision through the American way of life.

If you do not know who Stacy Spikes is, that is fine and does not take away from the reader’s experience. In fact, no prior knowledge of him is  necessary. However, his story is incredible and the hidden gem in the book is his ability to keep going in life when all seemed lost. But it is important to recall that Spikes is a Black American who navigated the music and film industry as an outsider. Of course, that position has its benefits and drawbacks, but Spikes made the best of it. From his early days in the music business to the creation of Urbanworld and work with Mirimax films, he learns through baptism by fire, and each position adds more experience to his resume and wisdom to his outlook on life.

There are some dark moments in the book, starting with his early battle with addiction. Undeterred, he cleans himself up and embarks on a journey that no one could have predicted. And as the story progresses, we are given an inside look into the entertainment industry and all of its characters from film-star/musician Eddie Murphy, the ‘Black Godfather’ Clarence Avant (1921-2023) to the former Mirimax co-partner Harvey Weinstein. The section about Mirimax films is a bit shocking but echoes what director M. Night Shyamalan has discussed regarding his experience while collaborating with their team. And though there are no disclosures about Weinstein’s sexual activity, we can see how vicious he was when it came to business.

Following his stint with Mirimax, Spikes sets his sights on new goals, one of which shows his ability to see past current trends. After discussing the early days of Netflix, Spikes introduces us to MoviePass, his project that became a major player in the movie-going experience. The story of its rise, his fallout with partners and re-acclimation of the company are all covered within, and sure to leave the reader speechless. There is more to the story as well, including marriage, fatherhood, and friendship. A happy conclusion can be found here but the story is not without its setbacks. For anyone interested in what life is really like as an entrepreneur this book is a blessing. And for the rest, it is an effective way to learn about the industries that produce the films and music we consume.

ASIN :‎ B0B3G4RCJK