Rating: 
Summary: Powerful story unlike anything Hollywood could depict
Review: A critique of the juvenile delinquent system in LA hits home like no other book than this. Author Sanyika Shakur gives an amazingly detailed and thoroughly interesting account of the adult criminal system and the politics of gangs especially the much ignored prison gang life and politics of gangs in and out of prison. An extremely fascinating account of his new-found activism and political awareness that occurred in his early twenties is documented here. You can just feel the awe he felt when he rolled into San Quentin and saw the hidden political factions - as his mind strategizes in order to survive. Nothing like it has appeared since it was published in 92. Simply fascinating.
Rating:
Summary: constant jaw-dropper
Review: I've read many books in my time, but this one definitely, by far, a must read for anyone into suspense, realism, or one of those can't-put-down books.... I read it in two days because of this.
Rating: 
Summary: Facinating, Like A Car Wreck.
Review: I wish I could tell you I was impressed, like your previous reviewers, but I'm not. From an Oakland CA. perspective there is nothing impressive about L.A. or the stories from there mourges. Allow me quote to D.J. Quick, "Oakland? Huh! banging ain't nothin' new and slangin' ain't nothin new and for every sucker we done shot they done shot two." They started shooting, as a norm in 1980, but the shooting up here started in the 1970's with the Black Panthers and Hells Angels. L.A. uped the ante yeah, with all there copy cats. But in San Francico and Oakland, Cody was realting something that was going on up here while he was still in elementary school. By 1986 there was not a city in California that was not blasting away with guns with that crack [stuff] and the whole world wants to copy the West Side. What for man? The funerals I routinley attended were nothing to glorify. Here is the bottom line, Cody did not have a father. His father bailed and this creates little monstors. Cody's dad, a Los Angles Ram should have been there. The real criminal was his dead beat dad. All that agression, all that talent, all that leadership could have been served in sports, as a firefighter, or cop. Instead the gangs got Cody. Gangs, pimps, hoes and criminals along with other predators get children with no positive mentors and fathers. As a former gang banger I can tell you that Cody is not honest. He grossly over exagerates his body count and crimes. It is a need for acceptance, love, belonging and recognition to this day that Cody never recieved at home that made him push the truth in this work. However embelished, my heart breaks for my and Cody's generation X, along with these future fatherless generations. I do not see it changing because we are a culture that considers morality old fashioned. Mean while the birth rate for childern in African American communites are 75% out of wed. lock. This is not good, 90% of all incarcerated youth are from single family homes and from homes where the suffer from real neglect. If you are one of those gaukers that likes car wrecks, buy this book. -Selah essay.
Rating:
Summary: Monster
Review: I liked this book because it was thrilling and it was very exciting.
I could hardly put it down, if you like hard core action books, I would highly recommend it. The author takes you on a journey through his life of a gangbanger.
I really liked this book I would recommend it to everyone.
Rating:
Summary: One of my favorite books
Review: If you are even remotely curious about learning more about gang life, particularly in South Central Los Angeles, particularly about Crips, this is a truly amazing book. It is one of my favorites of all time. Sanyika Shakur - aka "Monster" Cody Scott - is a superb writer and in sharing his experience of Crip life in South Central - beginning in adolescence - you really feel as though you get to know him intimately. You feel as though you are actually there as the action goes down, courtesy of Shakur's candid, detailed, and fast-paced writing style. And as you read the book you feel as though you gain understanding into gang life. Shakur takes you though his life from a youngster in South Central Los Angeles to a changed man, a Muslim, albeit still serving time for repeat offenses. A fascinating book by a very articulate author. A real gem on this subject matter.
Rating: 
Summary: Powerful, Not Political
Review: "Monster" takes the reader on a non-stop, shocking and informative ride through life in South Central Los Angeles. There will be few readers of this book that will not be astounded at how extreme the life of this man has been.The book documents the life of one Kody Scott, who would later become known as Sanyika Shakur. Scott was just eleven years old when the desire to become an "Eight Tray Gangsta" came over him. His various gang stories and reflections from the next 15 years are documented in very brutal and honest fashion inside this book. For those readers who think they may know the inner-workings of South Central either through movies or music, think again. Scott's refusal to sugarcoat anything entered into this book will give you a look at gang life that no newscast, movie or record could possibly duplicate. For those who truly want to know the "other side" of America, the side that is rarely, if ever, seen, this book will give you all you can handle. Something that must be addressed, however, is that Scott's political knowledge, as to why he gang life was so appealing and why his children will grow up in similar conditions, is very limited. The book has all the potential to be as politically driven and important as "The Autobiography of Malcolm X", but it falls short in that manner. For those who wish to open their eyes as to the scope of conditions that America has created for its people, this book is undeniably valuable. Do not, however, read this expecting to find the root of the gang problem or any insightful visions into American politics.
Rating:
Summary: Monster Kody
Review: This book is hot, son! Monster Kody is like a trained combat soldier in a Crip gang. He knows the outcome if he handles the situation a certain way, his way! Monster Kody puts his war with the Bloods above all other things, including school. Monster Kody has nobody to look up to for guidance but his Crip friends. Kody does anything and everything to live up to his tag name {MONSTER}. I highly recommend this book because the games people plot on Monster Kody do not always turn out the way they expected. Every page is a mind-twisting event that will put your brain on lock. Even though Monster Kody loses some of his closest friends, he made a vow when he was eleven years old, that he intends to keep. With Monster Kody's train of thinking there is nothing in his path, that will be able to stop him!
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Summary: street wars
Review: Street Wars Have you ever experienced gang life before? After you read this book you will feel like you did. Monster an autobiography of an LA Gang Member, is about a South Central crip gang. The gang, Eight Tray Gangsters, or ETG, is the set he claims. He was a young gangster going through hard times, and always coming in and out of lock up. After you finish reading the book you will feel like a gangster in South Central, blasting at some Rollin' Sixties. I highly recommend this book for kids at least 16 and over. It is a bit to graphic for kids under 16 that have never been exposed to gang life. People who are in a gang, or affiliated should read it as well. If you ever though about joining a gang read this book and you will feel like you have just been initiated in to the gang.
Rating:
Summary: Monster
Review: Violence, gangs, and disturbing information are the heart of the book Monster, an Autobiography of a L.A. Gang Member. If violence and gangs interest you, then this is the book you'll want to read. These gangs were active In L.A. and they don't fool around. This is about two gangs who absolutely hate each other, just because they wear different colors. The thing that caught my attention most in the book was Kody shooting people, and then going home and having a bowl of cereal, just acting like nothing ever happened. Bodies turn up everywhere. There is excessive gun use. Both gangs do drive by shootings. They go on each other's block, and the other gang's hangouts. This book really interested me because of all of the details, and because it is reality. The people in the book have no fear. They could care less about death. They basically care about "reppin" the hood and being "recognized" if you don't find this book shocking or disturbing then there's something wrong with you.
Rating:
Summary: Makes You Want To Turn Gangster
Review: Monster was so full of detail that it felt like I was on the streets of Cali when it was happening. What you get with this book is not just an understanding of gang life but you can feel what the victims are feeling and what the offenders go through. You are in his shoes now, and he is blasting slugs at enemy gangsters from 5 feet away with a sawed off shotgun. It's so realistic it's almost as if you can feel the kickback of the shotgun. Those feelings will stay with you throughout the entire book. Monster is definitely for anyone who has never been around gang violence or wants to understand gang life without really experiencing it. This book did a tremendous job showing gang life and their battles. It will make you want to turn into a gangster.
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