Monster : Autobiography of an L.A. Gang Member, The

Rating:
Summary: Raw and insiteful
Review: This book opened my eyes to a world that I'd never imagined. Monster Kody's honesty is refreshing and helpful. If only people would learn the lessons he learned without having the same experiences.

Rating:
Summary: The Battle
Review: I really like the book and my favorite quote in the book is when he talks about how it's a hidden war and how "the war has been kept from the world, hidden like an ugly scar across the belly of an otherwise beautiful woman"..."she has tried repeatedly to suppress and keep hidden from curious onlooker. More than a few time she has almost been exposed and this ugliness brought to light, but always another garment would quickly be thrown over the rough spot and all the turmooil and ugliness again blanketed. But not this time."
"On Apirl 29, 1992, the world witnessed the eruption of South Central... battlefield of the Crips and Bloods. The scar of over twenty years that had been tuck out sight and passed off as "just another ghetto problem" burst its suture and spewed blood all across the stomach of America."

Rating:
Summary: Solid piece of reading
Review: Yes, I am an upper-middle class white male going to college. With that said, I wanted to say how deeply enthralled I was in this book and the incredible story of this man's life. Though I can't identify with the people in this book because I'm a middle class white guy, it gives an intimate look into what the inner-city black youth go through everyday. The strengh and loyalty of the people described in the book is remarkable. This is one aspect of American culture that has not recieved its share of exposure because the people best suited to tell it are so often in jail or dead. The events described may be violent and tragic, but they are as much a part of American history as the era of prohibition or the mafia of the 50's. The story needs to be told and so far, this is the best place to get that story.

Rating:
Summary: A People Ignored and Generations Lost
Review: I'm about as far removed from the people and setting of this book as is possible: I'm White, raised in a small Ohio town (there was one African-American girl in my school and she graduated a couple of years ahead of me).
This book really got to me because, as I'd read about Shakur's life, I'd flash on what I was doing at that specific year mentioned: we were both born in 1963. While I was riding bicycles in my little midwestern town, Shakur was using bicycles for drive-by shootings!
I know this book's category is in "African American Studies," but it deserves to be read by all Americans. It's a national tragedy that so many of this country's children--no matter what color--are casually killing each other.
This year, 2002, is the deadliest year for homicides in Los Angeles and, from I read in the papers, it's mostly due to gang violence.
After reading MONSTER, I believe that Shakur hits on a key solution to the streets: give these kids a father or someone to care and look up to. I realize there are so many other issues (racism, poverty, drugs), but I believe that if a child has someone to care about him or her--they have a chance against everything else.

Rating:
Summary: A Must Read!!!! Brilliant!!!
Review: This has to be the only book I have Found difficult to put down!!
You read this book, and you feel like you know Sanyika personally. He makes you feel like you're really there, and you find yourself imagining yourself in the same situations!
If anyone knows of any other good gang related books or videos, or if anyone knows of any stuff to do with Sanyika, please email me!!
See ya!

Rating:
Summary: The best book I have ever read
Review: I am 22 years old and this book has changed my life

Rating:
Summary: Get this book!
Review: I heard about this book on BET when the author was a guest on there talking about his life and his book, I looked on [amazon.com]for the book and bought it right away. When I got the book I couldn't put it down!!! It's a very good insight on ganglife back then and now! Drive byes on his bike wow!! GET THIS BOOK!! YOU WILL NOT REGRET IT!

Rating:
Summary: True To Life
Review: Very true to life in los angeles from 1975-1993 basicly a time table of stories from that point until 1993 when the book was published. Bloody, Sickening, Violent, Depressing, The destruction of a ghetto teen and his life of mayhem, anger and destruction, to his transformation of a Muslim/Black nationalist.
Notice: some hatred towards whites in the book
Notice: hatred towards police figures/authority
Notice: reocurring problems

Rating:
Summary: not very good book
Review: the book was about a guy who was framed for merder. he had nuthin to do with the crime. his loyer thinks he is gilty and he is not. he is not guilty and he knows it. he is provn gilty not .

i did not like it but if you like cort dramas then you will like it. it was kinda slow but it was ok. i would not recomend it to anyone who doesnt like skoo. i would not read it agin. read a different book

Rating:
Summary: The best book i've ever read
Review: This is by far the best book i've ever read. I couln't stop reading. By the time I finished this book I wanted to read more about a culture that's hard to get accurate information about. If you're not sure about whether you want to read this book, take it from me, get it and get it soon.