Kill 'Em and Leave

Searching for James Brown and the American Soul

By: James McBride

Narrated by: Dominic Hoffman

“You won’t leave this hypnotic book without feeling that James Brown is still out there, howling.”—The Boston Globe

From the New York Times bestselling author of The Good Lord Bird, winner of the 2013 National Book Award for Fiction, Deacon King Kong, and Five-Carat Soul

Kill ’Em and Leave is more than a book about James Brown. Brown embodied the contradictions of American life: He was an unsettling symbol of the tensions between North and South, black and white, rich and poor. After receiving a tip that promises to uncover the man behind the myth, James McBride goes in search of the “real” James Brown. McBride’s travels take him to forgotten corners of Brown’s never-before-revealed history, illuminating not only our understanding of the immensely troubled, misunderstood, and complicated Godfather of Soul, but the ways in which our cultural heritage has been shaped by Brown’s enduring legacy.

Praise for Kill ’Em and Leave

“A tour de force of cultural reportage.”—The Seattle Times

“Thoughtful and probing.”—The New York Times Book Review

“Masterly . . . powerful.”—Los Angeles Review of Books

“McBride provides something lacking in most of the books about James Brown: an intimate feeling for the musician, a veracious if inchoate sense of what it was like to be touched by him. . . . It may be as close [to ‘the real James Brown’] as we’ll ever get.”—David Hajdu, The Nation

“A feat of intrepid journalistic fortitude.”—USA Today

“[McBride is] the biographer of James Brown we’ve all been waiting for. . . . McBride’s true subject is race and poverty in a country that doesn’t want to hear about it, unless compelled by a voice that demands to be heard.”—Boris Kachka, New York

“Illuminating . . . engaging.”—The Washington Post

“A gorgeously written piece of reportage that gives us glimpses of Brown’s genius and contradictions.”—O: The Oprah Magazine

Critic reviews

Praise for Kill 'Em and Leave:


“Thoughtful and probing . . . with great warmth, insight and frequent wit.” —The New York Times Book Review

“McBride’s true subject is race and poverty in a country that doesn’t want to hear about it, unless compelled by a voice that demands to be heard.” —New York Magazine

“Masterly . . . powerful . . . McBride provides an invaluable service to the history of R&B.” —Los Angeles Review of Books

“A feat of intrepid journalistic fortitude.” —USA Today

“An important book about an important figure in American musical history and about American culture.” —The Boston Globe

“Illuminating . . . engaging.” —The Washington Post

“A gorgeously written piece of reportage that gives us glimpses of Brown’s genius and contradictions.” —O: The Oprah Magazine

“The definitive look at one of the greatest, most important entertainers, The Godfather, Da Number One Soul Brother, Mr. Please, Please Himself—JAMES BROWN.” —Spike Lee

Just when you thought you knew James Brown...

What made the experience of listening to Kill 'Em and Leave the most enjoyable?

The narrator caught the tone of the story. I couldn't wait to get back in the car to listen to more.

Who was your favorite character and why?

James Brown, the subject of the book. I learned much more about the man.

What does Dominic Hoffman bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

His character voicing is incredible.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I felt the author educated the reader on African American culture as much as educated us on the Godfather of Soul.

Jumps around like Mr. Brown

This book was entertaining to listen to but difficult to follow because it was not written chronologically. However I don’t know if the print version would’ve been any easier. I learned so much about James Brown and all the infamous people I didn’t know he influenced so deeply. I think James McBride did a wonderful job humanizing him and highlighting the injustice that has been done to his estate- well enough to want to follow into the present and make sure those kids in need get the money Mr. Brown worked his whole life to get them

A history lesson about the life of the Godfather of Soul

I almost described this as a telling of Mr. Brown as a complicated person but, really, he wasn't. He was a brilliant musician and artist, with a steadfast determination to give us his art on his own terms. And, flawed. We don't want to believe the people whom we admire are flawed because enjoying their work allows us to escape our flawed selves.

Thank you, Mr. McBride, for reminding us why James Brown was the Godfather of Soul.

Great read and history lesson.

I enjoyed the book. it was a great story and education on better understanding the Godfather of soul.

Please Please Please

I FEEL GOOD after listening to this. Amazing story and great narration. Please please PLEASE listen to this and find your soul, America's soul, and James Brown's creation of that soul.