So-called "mayor for life" Marion Barry is embracing the title as his autobiography gets ready to hit bookstands.
"Mayor for Life: The Incredible Story of Marion Barry, Jr." launches Tuesday. While it's not quite a "tell-all," according to the Washington Post, it's a "tell-enough."
A polarizing figure, Barry had served three terms as mayor when he was busted during a drug sting at a downtown hotel in 1990. He sat out a term, and was re-elected in 1994. He is now the councilmember for Ward 8.
In his book, Barry characterizes the bust as a "sideshow" to his efforts to kindle black political power in the District, the Post reports, although the book goes into considerable detail on the bust nonetheless.
Barry also wrote that he never considered himself addicted to anything.
NATIONAL BOOK TOUR
Barry is embarking on a book tour this week that will include a stop at the National Press Club on Thursday, where he will speak about his book and sign copies.
Tickets are available for $5 for Press Club members. General admission is $10, or $25 to include a copy of the book.
LIBRARY PREPS NEW RELEASE
The D.C. Public Library system was busy Monday processing the book and distributing 55 new copies to its locations around the city.
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"We are processing it today, which means we are sending it out to the sites," said library press secretary George Williams.
Don't expect them all to be on Barry's home turf of Ward 8 -- Williams said the copies will be distributed evenly among the city's more than two dozen community libraries, but anyone who finds his or her local library to be out of copies can place a hold. If a copy is available, it will arrive at the user's local branch within about a day.
Two requests had already been placed on the book as of midday Monday. Williams said that he expects more to come in once the book becomes available and as more people hear about it.
"I know that the councilman is tweeting about it as well," he said.
Just days away from the release of my memoir. My life in my own words. I can't wait to share my story with you! pic.twitter.com/A33bNlhPAw — Marion S. Barry, Jr. (@marionbarryjr) June 13, 2014
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
