Skip Navigation
Ta-Nehisi Coates

Ta-Nehisi Coates - Ta-Nehisi Coates is a senior editor for The Atlantic, where he writes about culture, politics, and social issues for TheAtlantic.com and the magazine. He is the author of the memoir The Beautiful Struggle. More

Born in 1975, the product of two beautiful parents. Raised in West Baltimore—not quite The Wire, but sometimes ill all the same. Studied at the Mecca for some years in the mid-’90s. Emerged with a purpose, if not a degree. Slowly migrated up the East Coast with a baby and my beloved, until I reached the shores of Harlem. Wrote some stuff along the way.

From the department of crime doesn't pay

By Ta-Nehisi Coates
Jul 24 2008, 9:00 AM ET Comment

As a guy who recently wrote a memoir, I can't tell you how depressing it is to see the genre basically become a magnet for liars--and then to see those liars rewarded with coverage in the New York Times. Call me conflicted, but just spell my name right. Perhaps the worst part is that memoirists who defraud their readers don't even get that much out of it. I mean, you may get book-level fame and book-level money, but dude, it's still book level. If you're going to defraud somebody do it the right way--go get an MBA, work on Wall Street and steal some real money.

Oh, that hurt. Sorry friends, I promise, no more fat-cat bashing.



Presented by

More at The Atlantic

The Intersection of Design and Technology The Intersection of Design and Technology
Israel Training Birds to Spy on Turkish Farmers, Says New Conspiracy Theory Mossad's Latest Recruit: Israeli Spy Birds?
European Media Go a Little Overboard Sexing-Up Continental Politics How European Media Is Sexing Up Continental Politics
Is Elizabeth Warren Native American or What? Is Elizabeth Warren Native American or Not?
The Middling Hilarity of 'The Dictator' Sacha Baron Moves to the Middle of the Pack With 'The Dictator'

Join the Discussion

After you comment, click Post. If you’re not already logged in you will be asked to log in or register.
blog comments powered by Disqus
Special Report
Capitals of the Connected World The Atlantic Capitals of the Connected World
Mapping the new global power structure—an Atlantic special report Read more ›
View All Correspondents

The Biggest Story in Photos

Scenes From Brazil

May 18, 2012

Subscribe Now

SAVE 59%! 10 issues JUST $2.45 PER COPY

Facebook

Newsletters

Sign up to receive our free newsletters

(sample)

(sample)

(sample)

(sample)

(sample)

(sample)

Ta-Nehisi Coates
from the Magazine

Why Do So Few Blacks Study the Civil War?

Ta-Nehisi Coates is an Atlantic senior editor.

Fade to White

A filmmaker maps Austin’s shifting ethnic landscape.

The Legacy of Malcolm X

Why his vision lives on in Barack Obama