The Wu-Tang Manual - by The Rza & Chris Norris (Paperback)

About the Book

The first definitive book from hip-hop's original dynasty, for the hard-core Wu-Tang disciple and the recent initiate alike. (Music)

Book Synopsis

The Wu-Tang Manual is The RZA's first written introduction to the philosophy and history of Hip-Hop's original Dynasty, the Wu-Tang Clan.

Written in a style that is at once personal and philosophical, The Wu-Tang Manual unravels the intricate web of personalities (and alter egos), warrior codes, numerological systems, and Eastern spiritual ethics that define the Wu-Tang dynasty.

Packed with information that reflects the breadth and depth of the RZA's--and rest of the Clan's--intellectual interests and passions, The Wu-Tang Manual is divided into four books of nine chambers each, for a total of 36 chambers. All together, the book provides the breakdown of essential Wu-Tang components, from basic information about each of the nine core members of Wu-Tang Clan to deeper explorations of the key themes of the Wu-Tang universe, a dictionary-like Wu-Slang lexicon, and an entire section of Wu-Tang lyrics with densely annotated explanations of what they mean.

For the hardcore Wu-Tang disciple and the recent initiate alike, The Wu-Tang Manual is the definitive guide to the essence of Wu, one of the most innovative hip-hop groups of all time.

Review Quotes

"Touching...A glimpse inside the brain of the RZA, the producer/spiritual leader of Staten Island's revolutionary hip-hop collective, the Wu-Tang Clan....Inspirational." -The New York Times Book Review

"Is there a Pulitzer Prize in the Wu's future?" -XXL Magazine

"At once edifying and wildly entertaining, [The Wu-Tang Manual] occupies a fertile emotional crossroads of nostalgia, juvenile wish-fulfillment, and adult appreciation...it could augur a rebirth for one of the most influential rap groups of the 1990s." -Pitchfork

"A rabbit hole into the Clan's history and obsessions with kung-fu films, numerology, chess, and Eastern spirituality." -Entertainment Weekly

"Equal parts travelogue, manifesto, dictionary and cultural decoder ring for one of hip-hop's most influential and unorthodox rap groups...It's quite obvious that the nine-member crew is as adept in analyzing Eastern philosophies, chess strategies and numerological systems as they are in smoking ells and dodging bullets."
--Columbus Alive (alternative weekly)

"A unique megamix of Buddhism, comics, kung fu, and Islam." -Boldtype.com

About the Author

The RZA is most famous as the founder and leader of the Wu-Tang Clan, the platinum-selling hip-hop group that is widely considered one of the most important of all time. He has continued his music career while successfully branching out into lecturing, television, and film.