Only God Can Judge Me: The Many Lives of Tupac Shakur
4.6 | 212 ratings
Price: 12.99
Last update: 02-17-2026
Product details
- ASIN : B0DTKH4BWL
- Publisher : Mariner Books
- Accessibility :
- Publication date : October 21, 2025
- Language : English
- File size : 14.8 MB
- Screen Reader : Supported
- Enhanced typesetting : Enabled
- X-Ray : Enabled
- Word Wise : Enabled
- Print length : 464 pages
- ISBN-13 : 978-0063304598
- Page Flip : Enabled
- Best Sellers Rank:#1,200 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- Rap & Hip-Hop Musician Biographies
- Popular Culture
- Biographies of Rap & Hip-Hop Musician
- Customer Reviews:4.64.6 out of 5 stars(212)
Top reviews from the United States
- Uncle KnucleVery insightfulGreat book. I read it in 3 days. Many ppl are saying that Jeff is off base and assuming things about 2pac's past, but the book is written based off of his interviews with ppl in Pac's past. So maybe there is a slight amount of speculation, but it doesn't seem off base to me. The chapters flow and there are so many details about this kid that I never knew. It only helps to flesh out a person who was a huge influence to me as a kid (being 4 years his junior). I appreciate 2pac and his family far deeper now than before because this book gave a more full understanding of where they and he were coming from. So many great stories in here.
Just as I did with reaching the end of 'Divided Soul' - a Marvin Gaye biography, I got choked up when he finally passes away in the book, even though I lived it back in 96 and knew where the book would end. Thats great writting. Just like I did with 'Divided Soul', I'll re-read it in a few months.
Rest in peace Tupac. Thanks for your words and inspiration. Gone way too soon. - lisaExcellent readGreat book! It’s a beautifully written, deeply respectful look at a complicated legend. All the interviews seemingly put into context on how Tupac built his hardened exterior over time while still remaking a gentle soul. Very in depth. Jeff Pearlman is always an excellent story teller, and once again he delivered.
- Matt LowyExpand your mind just as Tupac didAnother Jeff Pearlman masterpiece! The disciplined research and the hundreds of interviews with those who really knew Mr. Shakur at various points in his life leave you wanting more. For all those who did talk, some key figures didn’t, which would undoubtedly impact the reader’s conclusions post-read. Like the author’s sports-focused books, there are plenty of things to look up to experience stamps in time from The Arsenio Hall Show appearances to his SNL musical guest gig to several early 1990s movies in which he starred. All of these serve as a lens into who Tupac was. I was just starting my Sophomore year of High School when he was killed, so some things I knew, but admittingly at a very broad level. The book takes you deep into the 25 years of his short life and where maturity should have occurred but ultimately it didn’t.
The lack of a father figure and the worldly importance of one really ring throughout the book. The book also leaves no doubt that the icon did indeed die in September 1996, against the long-standing Urban Legend, as I cannot imagine what his life would be like without the limelight he seemed to flock to and really needed to survive. In terms of walking away with the impression that Tupac was an admirable person, it will really be up to the reader. For someone who actively believes women when they call foul, a man convicted of sexual assault sure should not have that moniker. There was this romantic side to him, however, that seemed to really believe in love. I even reached out to one of his former flings, who is now a CamGirl, to get some insight into whether he was a monster or misunderstood, and I still can’t come up with a definitive opinion.
One opinion is for sure, though: you will not regret immersing yourself in the world of Tupac during the time you spend finishing the book, and I couldn’t recommend it more! - Mr LouisPhenomenal read for much more than fans of 2Pac (Tupac)What a phenomenal read. The attention to detail and focus on experiences others had with Tupac is second to none. There's no assuming of things that happened; instead we're presented with Jeff's findings. Like his others books, Pearlman focuses on capturing the time and place through the eyes of those who where there to live through events.
After about 2 days or so, I'd finished reading the book and was ready to take a deeper dive into the lives of others (Afeni for one) that both impacted Tupac and helped shape his journey (as short as it unfortunately was). I cannot Stress enough how well the book flows from one event to the next. With so much happening in such a short period of time, Jeff does a nice job of balancing the volume of milestones in the timeline (lifetime); careful to not over stay, yet leaving the reader (me) satisfied with room for further exploration.
I've thoroughly enjoyed Jeff's other books and found this book to have a little more of a personal touch than his previous works. What I mean to say is there's a sense of genuine caring in the words the author chose, in both examples presented and expressions utilized. My hope is this book gets into more hands and folks give it the opportunity it deserves to unfold a story of a man that was so incredibly deep, intelligent, and caring; while being both fragile and hardened in the same breath.
This book is highly recommended for anyone interested in Tupac and those looking for an incredibly interesting story of someone that lived multiple lifetimes in his 25 or so years of life.
Well done Jeff, you did good. - Brooke276Great writer continues his winning streakI've read everything Mr. Pearlman has written. I never imagined such a brilliant sportswriter could tackle such a different subject, but I should have known better. He can, and does. Above all, this is an eminently fair book. Warts and all, yes, but true to the man. Tupac, for all his talent, was beyond flawed. Difficult, often unprofessional, though driven by the full understanding there wasn't a chance he'd live very long. Pearlman has the research, the insight, and the style to convey everything you need to know about a remarkable, though sad life.
- Francisca4 starsOnly God Can Judge Me by Jeff Pearlman is written in a way I respect. It seems to be written with very little bias from the author and conveys the troubled life Tupac had. I enjoyed learning more about his life that hasn't been told through the years, as well as reminders of other things that have.
James Shippy is a good narrator.
Thank you to HarperAudio Adult for providing me with an ALC.