Gang Leader for a Day by Sudhir Venkatesh, Paperback, 9780141030913 | Buy online at The Nile
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Gang Leader for a Day

Author: Sudhir Venkatesh  

Paperback

What happens when a long-haired Asian kid wearing a Grateful Dead t-shirt wanders into the roughest part of town carrying a clipboard?

Describes the author's time living with the gangs on the Southside of Chicago. This book tells how in the Robert Taylor Homes projects on Chicago's South Side, he befriends JT, a gang leader for the Black Kings. It also tells how he gains JT's trust, and in order to convince the author of his CEO-like qualities, JT makes him leader of the gang.

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Summary

What happens when a long-haired Asian kid wearing a Grateful Dead t-shirt wanders into the roughest part of town carrying a clipboard?

Describes the author's time living with the gangs on the Southside of Chicago. This book tells how in the Robert Taylor Homes projects on Chicago's South Side, he befriends JT, a gang leader for the Black Kings. It also tells how he gains JT's trust, and in order to convince the author of his CEO-like qualities, JT makes him leader of the gang.

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Description

What happens when a long-haired Asian kid wearing a Grateful Dead t-shirt wanders into the roughest part of town carrying a clipboard?Sudhir Venkatesh the young sociologist who became famous in Freakonomics (Why do drug dealers still live with their moms?) describes his time living with the gangs on the Southside of Chicago and answers another question- what's it like to live in hell?In the Robert Taylor Homes projects on Chicago's South Side, Sudhir befriends J.T., a gang leader for the Black Kings. As he slowly gains J.T.'s trust, one day, in order to convince Sudhir of his own CEO-like qualities, J.T. makes him leader of the gang...Why does J.T. make his henchmen, the 'shorties', stay in school? What is the difference between a 'regular' hustler and a 'hype' - and is Peanut telling him the truth about which she is? And, when the FBI finally starts cracking down on the Black Kings, is it time to get out - or is it too late?

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Critic Reviews

“'A rollicking read … a vivid insight into gang culture' The Times'Darkly entertaining … an absorbing and self-effacing odyssey' The Guardian'An absolutely incredible book ... equal parts comedy and tragedy ... I promise you will not be able to put it down' - Steven D. Levitt, co-author, Freakonomics”

'A rollicking read ! a vivid insight into gang culture' The Times 'Darkly entertaining ! an absorbing and self-effacing odyssey' The Guardian 'An absolutely incredible book ... equal parts comedy and tragedy ... I promise you will not be able to put it down' - Steven D. Levitt, co-author, Freakonomics

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About the Author

Sudhir Venkatesh spent a decade living with the Black Kings gang in Chicago's south side. His research later became famous in Freakonomics (Why do drug dealers still live with their moms?) He is now Professor of Sociology and African-American studies at Columbia University.

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Back Cover

NB. Cover text not yet approved. 'An absolutely incredible book ... equal parts comedy and tragedy ... I promise you will not be able to put it down' Stephen D. Levitt, co-author of Freakonomics Sudhir Venkatesh was a student with a clipboard when he went into one of the worst ghettos in America and asked some gang members, 'How does it feel to be black and poor?' ...They put a gun to his head and took him hostage overnight, before sending him on his way. But then Sudhir came back with a six-pack of beer and started to hang around. This is the incredible story of the decade he spent with the Black Kings, under the wing of gang leader J.T. and his henchmen. It opens up a world of gangsters, criminal hierarchies and power struggles, where carrying a gun is a reward for good work and punishment is being dangled over a freeway - yet somehow a community survives where the rules of right and wrong can't. 'A fascinating and full-access look at survival in what is as good as an urban war zone' Herald 'Extraordinary ... a rich, terrifying story of "outlaw capitalism" and institutional corruption' Observer 'Eye-opening ... high-octane' Scotsman

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Product Details

Publisher
Penguin Books Ltd
Published
5th February 2009
Pages
320
ISBN
9780141030913

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