Split Decision: Life Stories

Written by Ice-T, Spike and Douglas Century

Narrated by Ice-T, Spike and Douglas Century

Award-winning actor, rapper, and producer Ice-T unveils a compelling memoir of his early life robbing jewelry stores until he found fame and fortune—while a handful of bad choices sent his former crime partner down an incredibly different path.

Ice-T rose to fame in the late 1980s, earning acclaim for his music before going on to enthrall television audiences as Odafin “Fin” Tutuola in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. But it could have gone much differently.

In this “poignant and powerful” (Library Journal, starred review) memoir, Ice-T and Spike, his former crime partner—collaborating with New York Times bestselling author Douglas Century—relate the shocking stories of their shared pasts, and how just a handful of decisions led to their incredibly different lives. Both grew up in violent, gang-controlled Los Angeles neighborhoods and worked together to orchestrate a series of jewelry heists.

But while Ice-T was discovered rapping in a club and got his first record deal, Spike was caught for a jewelry robbery and did three years in prison. As his music career began to take off, Ice made the decision to abandon the criminal life; Spike continued to plan increasingly ingenious and risky jewel heists. And in 1992, after one of Spike’s robberies ended tragically, he was sentenced to thirty-five years to life. While he sat behind bars, he watched his former partner rise to fame in music, movies, and television.

“Propulsive” (Publishers Weekly, starred review), timely, and thoughtful, two men with two very different lives reveal how their paths might have very well been reversed if they made different choices. All it took was a split decision.

Featuring an exclusive conversation with Ice-T, Spike, and Douglas Century!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
• Release date: Jul 19, 2022
• ISBN: 9781797145372

Ice-T

Ice-T is an award-winning rapper, actor, songwriter and producer. He released a string of groundbreaking rap albums in the 1980s and then formed the Grammy Award–winning metal band Body Count with high school friend and guitarist Ernie C. He has appeared in numerous films, including New Jack City, Ricochet, and Trespass. In his role as Detective Tutuola on NBC’s Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Ice holds the distinction of being the longest running male actor on any primetime drama in history. Through his music and lecture tours, Ice-T has become an influential spokesman for America’s youth. Follow him on Twitter @FinalLevel. 

[Hannah · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Brilliant and more than an entertaining cautionary tale. The life lessons in this will stick with you forever.

[Frances Goodbeer · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Excellent read. This should be required reading from 5th grade through high school. With the easy access to guns our youth need to underrated choice and consequences then accountability.

[Ross Taylor · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book was unexpectedly great. From a white guy living in Texas I didn't know if I could relate but I could. I can see the struggle both of them were fighting. I'm proud of Spike for coming out the other side. A must read !

[Jamie Perkins · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

As a long time fan of Ice T I really loved this book. Ice is a captivating story teller and so is Spike. Highly recommend this book