Do or Die

Rating:
Summary: A Focus on LA gang members
Review: An outsider can only portray something fairly and Leon Bing has not shown a bias to either the blues or the reds. I've read this book a few times and I love it, and it does provide a valuable insight into the way of life for some gang members. However, at times I found the key at the bottom of the page distracting - you become more involved in a book if you realise what certain terms mean for yourself, and I would have preferred a truer picture rather than editted stories and name changes.

Rating:
Summary: A good look at gang life for the curious
Review: Bing provided an interesting description of gangs and the juveniles that becomse involved in this lifestyle. Rules are noted and some of its budding offenders are followed to the facilities where they jump through the hoops. This book was well written and an informative quick read. Bing inspired me to read more books about the topic, which I have, and am still doing now. The only solution we have, besides social bandades, is to remove the viscious from society. After a period of time, rehabilitation and the ability to get up in the morning to get a job, becomes highly unlikely. A very good book.

Rating:
Summary: A great chronicle of what gangs are really like
Review: Do or Die is written in the best tradition of great American chroniclers of horrifying social conditions, societal and political neglect,and the breakdown of social and human norms. Leon Bings tells the story of South Central Los Angeles' teenage gangs of the late 80s and early 90s,who - in a frenzy of uncontrolled violence - set out to defend their part of the hood and put in work for the set - in other words, kill members of a hostile gang. It's a shocking tale of innercity 12-year olds entering enemy neighborhoods to blast other gangmembers' heads off, just like 12-year old suburban kids enter the opposite soccerteam's penalty area to score the decisive goal.
The main narrators are the kids themselves, Bing only providing necessary background information and the thread that links individual experiences into a whole. Throughout the book she stays remarkably objective - never trying to hide her sympathy for G-Roc, Sidewinder, and Co., but not shying away from breaking with political correctness' irrevocable laws by describing one kid she visits in juvenile detention as somebody she "wants to be kept inside forever".
As far as I know, Bing, who by the way is an ex-model turned journalist who comes from money, which makes her undertaking even more remarkable, was the first author to seriously investigate ganglife and write about it. Thus, one might not find in Do or Die some information and analysis contained in later books. The lack of the latter has its plusses, though, since one is not forced to follow a particular line of thought, but has the opportunity to arrive at one's own conclusions.
Last but not least, the book is very well written. Bing's calm style alternates with the agitated torrent of gang speech. Relaxing moments, which, after all, still exist even in South Cental, take turn with descriptions of violent action. Overall, a great book. Required reading for anyone with only the slightest interest in gangs and urban America.

Rating:
Summary: This woman has alot of heart
Review: For a white woman to walk around South Central, tagging along with bangers...I have to give it to her. It was a little patronizing and a tad too melodramatic sometimes but all in all, it was worth the read.

Rating:
Summary: Realistic to the youth of the 1990's
Review: i first learned about this book when i read an interview with leon bing in time magazine. after reading i instantly went to the book store and found a copy. i dont enjoy reading but this book caught my attention and i couldnt but it down. bing lets the real gangmembers speak for themselves and tell it like it is. im a teenage who is around gangmembers often and i learned alot about them through this book and now after reading this book and a little research i understand what they do and why they do the things they do. in the inner cities its all about survival no matter how one must do it. im glad bing let the members speak out instead of hiding them or tryin 2 cover up reality.

Rating:
Summary: realistic and graphic
Review: This book is real, in your face, account of LA's street gangs. It is amazing that the author gained the trust of the people she interviewed. This book adds no "fluff" or drama. It is a real-life account what our young people face in the street everyday. This book is a MUST for those wanting to learn about gang members, their lives and our youth who are incarcarated. Whether you are a professional or student wiritng a paper, read this book.