Gang Leader for a Day

Gang Leader for a Day: A Rogue Sociologist Takes to the Streets is a memoir written by Sudhir Venkatesh.[1] The book chronicles the life of the urban poor and explores Venkatesh's views on poverty, money, gangs, drugs, and life in Chicago.[2][3] In 2017, it was reported that AMC Networks would be developing a drama series adaptation from the book.[4]

Gang Leader for a Day: A Rogue Sociologist Takes to the Streets
First edition
AuthorSudhir Venkatesh
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
GenreBiographies
PublisherPenguin Press
Publication date
January 14, 2008 (2008-01-14)
Media typePrint
Pages288 pp.
ISBN978-1-59420-150-9

Summary

Gang Leader for a Day recounts the day-to-day life of the urban poor, in which Sudhir Venkatesh, a sociology graduate student, headed to Robert Taylor Homes.[5][6]

His nearly decade-long research yielded valuable data, revealing the corporation-like workings of the street level drug trade, and serving as the basis of this book.[7]

The book is written as a first person narrative and incorporates some of the stylistic traits of fiction.[8] The book begins with Sudhir's description of a crack den. The narrative then moves back in time, as we learn how Sudhir came to study the residents of Robert Taylor Homes. We learn that Sudhir was studying at the University of Chicago under Professor William Julius Wilson. After seeing the census figures for the surrounding area, Sudhir decided to take a questionnaire into a housing project run by The Black Kings, a Chicago street gang. He met the leader of one of the gang's sub groups, who advised him to adopt more qualitative research techniques and invited Sudhir to observe his lifestyle. Sudhir observed JT's life managing a drug-dealing business. Throughout the book, JT shows Sudhir around his gang's territory and introduces Sudhir to different members of the community. Sudhir discovers a complex community, often more cohesive and nurturing than the predominantly white community he grew up in, but deeply affected by racism and poverty.[9] Sudhir slowly becomes accepted into the community and meets some of its key members -- both male and female.[10]

Reception

Gang Leader for a Day has garnered reviews from The New York Times, The Guardian, The Wall Street Journal, Chicago Tribune, and Entertainment Weekly.[11][12][13][14][15] The book was also Mark Zuckerberg's third selection in his 2015 "Year of Books".[16]

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References
  1. "Researcher Studies Gangs by Leading One". NPR Books. Retrieved July 14, 2016.
  2. Vulliamy, Ed (2008-02-24). "Review: Gang Leader For a Day by Sudhir Venkatesh". The Guardian.
  3. GANG LEADER FOR A DAY by Sudhir Venkatesh | Kirkus Reviews.
  4. https://deadline.com/2019/01/edward-burns-radar-developing-the-line-between-thriller-novel-for-television-1202538907/
  5. "An outsider looking in". The Economist. ISSN 0013-0613.
  6. "Gang Leader For A Day, by Sudhir Venkatesh". Independent UK. 2008-03-04.
  7. Miller, Laura. "The unlikeliest gang banger". Salon.
  8. "Gang Leader for a Day". Socialist Review. Retrieved 2019-01-30.
  9. Bennett, Weyman. "Gang Leader for a Day". Retrieved 30 January 2019.
  10. "LitCharts". LitCharts. Retrieved 2019-01-30.
  11. Grimes, William (2008-01-16). "Gang Leader for a Day - Sudhir Venkatesh - Book Review". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331.
  12. Vulliamy, Ed (2008-02-24). "Review: Gang Leader For a Day by Sudhir Venkatesh". The Guardian.
  13. "'Gang Leader For a Day'". Wall Street Journal. 2008-01-18. ISSN 0099-9660.
  14. ""Gang Leader for a Day" by Sudhir Venkatesh - tribunedigital-chicagotribune". Chicago Tribune.
  15. "Gang Leader for a Day | EW.com". Entertainment Weekly.
  16. "Why Mark Zuckerberg is reading a book called 'Gang Leader for a Day'". Business Insider.
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