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Liked It “Excellent window into the world of Chicago black street gangs in the late eighties and early nineties. Something very people will ever get the opportunity to see so close up. The book was well written and engaging from the outset. The only negative point I could say about it, which is what gives...” see full review » see other reviews » |
Didn’t Like It1 of 1 members found this review helpful “Personally I didn't like this book one bit. I thought it was cool though that it took place in Chicago (Close to Home). I found it rather boring because it sounded more like a research paper instead of a published book. |
Newest Reviews
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“Excellent window into the world of Chicago black street gangs in the late eighties and early nineties. Something very people will ever get the opportunity to see so close up. The book was well written and engaging from the outset. The only negative point I could say about it, which is what gives it 4 stars rather than 5 is the author despite his objections throughout the book, and his attempted justifications about his impartiality, seemed to be more journalistic than he should have been. There are a couple of occasions where he guiltily tries to convince the reader that he hasn't been a misleading scumbag towards the subjects of his study, but in my opinion, mainly due to his over compensating, he gives me the distinct impression that he deliberately misled several subjects on several occasions (just oike the average tabloid journalist does). Maybe not with outright lies be certainly by being conveniently economical with the truth.
Alex E wrote this review 2 days ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
After reading this book, which I devoured within a couple of days it made me appreciate less a connected book which I had already read "Freakanomics" from which the chapter "Why do Crack dealers still live at home with their moms?" which is inspired by Sundhir's experiences I found to be very inaccurate and inconsistent with Gang Leader for a Day.
Overall an excellent read for anyone interested in the subject.”
“You can tell from the title that this book is very interesting and entertaining. Sudhir acts as a gang leader in this non-fiction book. It was very interesting to see what it takes for be a gang leader and all the duties and stress that it brings. I suggest reader this book, great read.”
Daniel s wrote this review 10 days ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“it gives a good perspective of the urban poor in America esp Chicago. Admire Sudhir's hard work spread over so many years.
Ajay Krishnan wrote this review Saturday, November 28 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
Worth a read. ”
“Interesting, not something you'd usually get to read about. ”
Bill C wrote this review Saturday, November 21 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“I really enjoyed this book, it made me think differently about the business and gang and how they fit into urban life as well as how policies could/couldn't help the urban poor. I would recommend it to everybody. ”
Kaitlin G wrote this review Friday, November 20 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Reads too pat!”
gigsgigs wrote this review Thursday, November 12 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“One of the best books i have ready..so truthful and innocent and so insightful. I saw a mention about the author in freakonomics and decided to buy this book and haven't regretted. Clearly truth is stanger and more thrilling than fiction.”
tpananth wrote this review Wednesday, November 11 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“Sudhir Venkatesh, a callow sociology student walked into Chicagos toughest gang houseing projects. While Sudhir was their he met with alot of people such as Jon Henry Torrance, black kings gang leader, and Mrs Baily, Johns mother. His project he is doing is a bio on J.T and what he does in the houseing project. When a rival gang sweeps by, guns blazing, he dodges bullets and helps drag a gang lieutenant to safety. When local squatters met he helps out with the punshments and how to resoulve the problem. J.T. and his fellow officers like to describe the Black Kings as a social-service organization. At the end of the story J.T was tired and Sudhir learned to take over a gang and still sees J.T around Chicago.”
michael k wrote this review Friday, November 13 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“A fascinating view from inside distressed Chicago public housing, from a careful academic viewpoint. The lengths that the author goes to get really close to the people on whom he is reporting let's a more detailed, more human, understanding of poor urban black American come through.”
Reid M wrote this review Thursday, October 15 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
