Only the Strong Survive

JerryButler's"OnlytheStrongSurvive:MemoirsofaSoulSurvivor"notonlypresentsanincisiveportraitofaremarkablecareer,butanupcloseandpersonallookattheworldofrhythmandbluesfromtheperspectiveofaninsider.FilledwithintimateanecdotesaboutsuchR&BlegendsasOtisRedding,CurtisMayfield,PattiLaBelle,SamCook,andDionneWarwick,Butler'scompelling,sometimeshilarious,narrativeistoldagainstthebackdropof1960sAmerica."OnlytheStrongSurvive",astoldtoEarlSmith,nodoubtwillbeclassifiedasautobiography.Butitismorethanthat.Itishistory-tosome,it'soralhistoryforthewayButlerunfoldshisnarrative.DrawinguponcountlessconversationsandinterviewswithButlerandothers,Smithchroniclesthe'Iceman's'journeyfromruralMississippitoChicagoandthefoundingandeventualbreakupofthelegendaryImpressionsvocalgroup.CurrentlyservinghisfourthtermasacommissionerontheCookCountyBoardofCommissioners,ButleralsogivesusaglimpseinsidetheworldofChicagopolitics.ButlersharesstoriesaboutHaroldWashington,Chicago'sfirstAfrican-Americanmayor,andothers,includingNationofIslamleader,MinisterLouisFarrakhan."OnlytheStrongSurvive"isariveting,movingchronicleofoneofAmerica'smusicpioneers.