Rating: 
Summary: Raw
Review: When I started reading this book, I felt at first that it was what everyone envisions a gang member would say his life was like. Violence, drugs, alcohol, ect... Trying to glorify it or make himself out to be something like a hero. As the book went on and Kody talks about jail and prison, I read what I see every day at work. I work in a jail that houses criminals that commit petty crimes to all the way up the scale - Murder. I feel the attitudes and personalities Kody described himself as having to survive the streets are real. I was so amazed by the rawness of his story. I have never read a book that gripped me so much as 'Monster' did. Both fascination with his story, but not in a hero like way and deep despair for others living this life kept me reading on. I finished the book in two days and that's only because I had to sleep at some point. I didn't want to put it down. I feel for Kody Scott, but I'm glad he told his story of fear, pain and having the desire for something better in life. I recommend this book to anyone who is just simply curious of the other side, someone elses "not so" simple and happy life.
Rating: 
Summary: Raw, no-apologies account of a gangster
Review: This book was quite good. For most chapters, I literally couldn't put it down. I was facinated by the straight-forwardness of it all. The author makes few apologies for his actions and I think it made the book a better read (after all, how do you apologize for causing so much misery to so many people). The only part that became tiresome was the "kill whitey" theme in the latter chapters. I certainly respect his opinion and his perspective, but this theme was a little overdone (in my opinion). It took away from quality of the story. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone. I always think that you can measure the quality of a book by how much you think about it when you are done. I think about this book quite a bit.
Rating:
Summary: The Power in the Raw
Review: Sanyika Shakur's account of his life reigns as one of the most raw autobiographies I have ever read. He strips himself and I admired him for his willingness to reveal himself. He claims to have changed but a violent action in the end made me wonder if he had truly changed.In closing, it contained an articulate analysis of the destructive forces in the inner city.
Rating:
Summary: Autobiography of an L.A. Gang Member
Review: My thoughts for this book is that is really good. I like this book a lot. I think this book is really good for gang members because they should learn from Kody Scott mistakes. My favorite character is Kody Scott and his mom. I like is mom because she is really cool and she gets really mad at Kody when he does something bad. I would recommened this book to anyone that likes book about real stories.
Rating: 
Summary: Poor effort, man.
Review: Kody seems to revel in the thought of being seen as some sort of hero for his 'no surrender' attitude throughout this book. I just feel so sad that someone who had so much energy should direct all of it towards violence towards other people.What is it about the west side that turns kids into killers? Silly boys who think the answer to everything is violence. Where did it get young Mr Scott? A life sentence in prison, that's where. Scotts attempts to explain away his gang membership by stating that he was doing it to protect his 'hood. What absolute rubbish. He, like so many other impressionable young black men, like the perceived glory and excitement of the gang. Sad.
Rating:
Summary: Much respect
Review: to a man who chose life. I read this book 2 years ago and it still moves me. As he said, he is a gang expert as he has lived it and those who have are the only gang experts. And the brother definately takes you with him through his own self-hatred, pain, confusion, and, ultimately, enlightment. He could teach a thing or two to all the fake thugs and wanna-be Crips and Bloods all over NYC.
Rating:
Summary: life changing
Review: This book is amazing.The man Monster Kody is a Eight Tray Crip.He spends most of his day's killing bloods or Rolling Sixties Crips.It takes you threw the amazing up's and downs of his life.You will certainly love thise book.
Rating:
Summary: Good Book
Review: This was a good book to read. It was rather sad that some children are exposed to such violence and choses it as a lifestyle when they become adults. d
Rating:
Summary: eye opening
Review: a shocking yet heartfelt story that could captivate even the most cynical reader. The sheer rawness and vivid storytelling makes this book a must have for anyone involved in any aspect of youth criminalology. Mr. Shakur should be commended for his work.
Rating:
Summary: A modern Claude Brown
Review: This book is a lot like Claude Brown's classic MANCHILD IN THE PROMISED LAND, with more blood, guns, and gangs. Shakur is a very insightful writers, and even if he wasn't, I would say that he was--because he scares me. This is the kind of guy that used to beat the hell out of me in high school, and why my parents eventually sent me to a private Catholic school--and later a military school, because of some incidents I don't need to go into here. Of course, Shakur has completely reformed himself, and he doesn't seem to have as much interest in beating up squirrelly people like me anymore. He's very descriptive about prison politics, Crips; and he's got a seriously good ear for dialogue. If there were more ex-gang members like Shakur, we'd have a lot more literate gang bangers on the streets--and that's something that would certainly benefit society one way or another. Although I'm not sure how.
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