- Sudhir Venkatesh
I have just finished reading this recently-published widely-acclaimed title, which is quite different from my usually preferred fare. I am not into gangster stories (leave aside a classic like Godfather), and I rarely go for non-fiction. But I really liked and enjoyed this one. Perhaps because I do like real-life human-interest stories. I had read a couple of reviews, which I found interesting; the author's Indian origins were an added curiosity/attraction. So, while browsing in the bookstore a few days back, I found it on their shelf, I read a few pages. And I was hooked!
The book describes the author's experience over more than 7 years, as he conducts his doctoral research, by having a first hand, close look at the life of his research subjects, the poor black people of Chicago living in a housing society plagued by evils like gang culture, drug abuse and lawlessness. His adventures have a very amusing start as he arrives at the housing society armed with a questionnaire. He is apprehended by the members of the local gang, the Black Kings. The gang's leader, known as JT, advises him to spend time with the people, rather than asking inane questions, if he really wants to understand their lives. Sudhir takes his advice, and goes on to develop a close relationship with JT, and other members of this "society" of people. In the course of time, he learns how mistaken are the perceptions of the outside world, of these people. To begin with, it is assumed that all gangsters are uneducated; but Sudhir finds that JT has attended college, and one of his closes aides is working towards a degree! He has many different unusual and interesting experiences, including the one when JT lets him act as the leader of his section of Black Kings for a day. However, all this does not mean that all is great; there is an ugly side too, though by his own admission, he gets a censored view of that.
The author's research on the economy of drug-dealing made a chapter in the widely popular 'Freakonomics' and was [apparently] very well received. [I did not read Freakonomincs, but everyone I know who has read it, was all praises for it.] Unbiased by this fact [I only realized this while reading 'Gangleader ...'], I found 'Gangleader ...' quite an interesting experience. The 'story' is captivating, and the style is amusing and fluid. I loved this one!
The book describes the author's experience over more than 7 years, as he conducts his doctoral research, by having a first hand, close look at the life of his research subjects, the poor black people of Chicago living in a housing society plagued by evils like gang culture, drug abuse and lawlessness. His adventures have a very amusing start as he arrives at the housing society armed with a questionnaire. He is apprehended by the members of the local gang, the Black Kings. The gang's leader, known as JT, advises him to spend time with the people, rather than asking inane questions, if he really wants to understand their lives. Sudhir takes his advice, and goes on to develop a close relationship with JT, and other members of this "society" of people. In the course of time, he learns how mistaken are the perceptions of the outside world, of these people. To begin with, it is assumed that all gangsters are uneducated; but Sudhir finds that JT has attended college, and one of his closes aides is working towards a degree! He has many different unusual and interesting experiences, including the one when JT lets him act as the leader of his section of Black Kings for a day. However, all this does not mean that all is great; there is an ugly side too, though by his own admission, he gets a censored view of that.
The author's research on the economy of drug-dealing made a chapter in the widely popular 'Freakonomics' and was [apparently] very well received. [I did not read Freakonomincs, but everyone I know who has read it, was all praises for it.] Unbiased by this fact [I only realized this while reading 'Gangleader ...'], I found 'Gangleader ...' quite an interesting experience. The 'story' is captivating, and the style is amusing and fluid. I loved this one!
4 comments:
Hi Sigma! When I started reading your post, something sound familiar; then I realized it was the reference made at «Freakonomics»! It seems to be quite interesting, so I think I'll pay some more attention to the title, if I manage to come across it...
Have a great weekend!
You are on a reading spree!!!So much envy you!!!
@Gil: Thanks! Do check it out ... and you can find reviews on Amazon.
@LeziB: Dont!! I am not on a reading spree now .... I am just on a review-posting spree :-)
Hi Sigma! Just a speedy visit to say hello and let you know that there is a last post on Marrakesh 2006 at Blogtrotter. ;))
Enjoy!
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