I bought this book several years ago after reading in the newspaper that it had been banned from local school's reading lists. I love how fast-paced it is, giving just enough background info about his childhood without dragging on. I recently read "My Bloody Life", and I liked Always Running far better. Always Running feels more believable and less repetitive. Each situation seems to have more depth and meaning, rather than just increasing the violence and body count. The main subject is more likable, and accepts responsibility for actions instead of implying that almost all gangbanger's problems are a result of their family. This is an insightful look into the area, time period, and lifestyle that easily feels relevant to modern issues. It is fascinating to go through the transition with the Author from being a confused immigrant from Mexico to a hard core gang banger, and then to a Father trying to teach his son from his own mistakes. I feel this is an excellent book for teenagers who are attracted by this kind of lifestyle, especially those in areas that are susceptible to it, to live vicariously through the Author, and hopefully realize that the suffering outways the excitement.

As a teacher I used this book in a Continuation High School to get students to read and write and draw out their experiences. In a classroom where students wanted only to "kick it" until the bell rang vignettes from this book made for a powerful draw for learning. Originally I bought 20 hardback copies. At the end of teaching there I had lost count of how many copies I had purchased. It was one of my most stolen books. I always wanted to meet him at Martinez' Bookstore In Santa Ana, California, but I never knew he was coming until he'd left. Many of us are grateful to him .

It is a very interesting book. It makes me feel I don't want to stop reading it.

This book is a great book, very eye opening and wonderfully written.

I have to wondering though, throughout the book, what is going through the author's mind...

He complains that the police treated them poorly. They were CRIMINALS. If they weren't up to no good at that SPECIFIC point in time, they were ABOUT to do something terrible or definitely had already DONE something terrible.

I don't understand how the author calls the police... "rioting police... in a murderous frenzy..." HELLO, you were doing illegal drugs in a public place, your friends stole something from a liquor store, then a mob started banging on the doors of the liquor store to let them in - am I missing something? Can you really blame the police for acting as they did? You just committed several crimes! The police were doing there job and acting defensively when KNOWN gang members committed crimes...

Then the author complains that he was thrown into an adult jail cell, with murderers and rapists, despite being a juvenile and too young to be in that specific jail. OK, fine, but earlier in the book, he was talking about hanging OUT with FRIENDS of his while they were RAPING UNCONSCIOUS WOMEN. He had SHOT people before, held guns to innocent peoples' heads during robberies. WHY IS BEING SURROUNDED BY MURDERERS AND RAPISTS *SUDDENLY* SO offensive to him? He wasn't old enough to be in an adult facility, but he was old enough to do drugs, drive illegally, drink illegally, commit robberies at gun point. Who is the author kidding? He acts like the police somehow treated him so badly but he DESERVED it. He was a criminal! The worst kind of criminal.

i was intrigued by this book when i saw it in the store so i bought it. it was very educational for me as i never knew how bad things would really get in gang life. i grew up in the burbs and this was all very shocking to me. it was truthful, sad and awakening.