This Side of Glory: The Autobiography of David Hilliard and the Story of the Black Panther Party

In this candid and absorbing memoir, Hilliard tells of his hardscrabble upbringing in Alabama and Oakland, Calif., his co-founding of the Black Panthers, the party's growth and struggles and, finally, his own battle against drug addiction. Writing with him, Cole ( The Dream Team ) evokes a compelling, vernacular first-person voice (even though much reconstructed dialogue is included) and uses interviews with Hilliard's friends and comrades to add depth and texture. Seeking a ``calling'' in his life and inspired by Malcolm X, Hilliard recalls how he joined friend Huey Newton to found the Panthers. He assesses Newton and Eldridge Cleaver, describes internal battles over ideology and strategy, gets arrested and concludes that educating the community is more important than battling the police. While the FBI wars with the Panthers, the Panthers' leaders split, and Hilliard goes to jail. Once free, Hilliard finds Oakland has lost revolutionary spirit, and he descends into crack addiction. He finally embraces the 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous--but refuses to give up his ``righteous indignation'' about a society that still, he believes, needs change. Photos not seen by PW. (Feb.)