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Gang Leader for a Day
320 pages, 2008
science & nature
1064 books
economics & politics
987 books
biographies & memoirs
997 booksWhen Sudhir Venkatesh, a first-year graduate student, walked into an abandoned building in one of Chicago’s most notorious housing projects in the early 1990s to interview people about poverty, he hoped to impress his professors with his boldness.
As a result of this assignment, he never imagined that he would befriend a gang leader named JT and spend the better part of a decade embedded in the projects under JT’s protection. From a privileged position of unprecedented access, Venkatesh observed JT and the rest of his gang as they operated their crack-selling business, made peace with their neighbors, evaded the law, and rose up or fell within the ranks of the gang’s complex hierarchical structure.
In Gang Leader for a Day, Sudhir Venkatesh takes us on a journey into the heart of Chicago's underworld. He shows us that gangs aren't just about violence and crime, but also about providing services and maintaining order in communities where the government has failed. It's a fascinating look into a world most of us never see.
Venkatesh's research in the book shows us that poverty isn't just about lack of money. It's a complex issue tied to education, employment, crime, and social structures. He challenges us to look beyond stereotypes and see the real faces of poverty.
Gangs aren't just criminal organizations. In Gang Leader for a Day, we see how they can also play a role in maintaining order and providing services in communities where the government has failed. It's a controversial idea, but one that Venkatesh explores in depth.
Throughout the book, Venkatesh shows us the power of empathy. By getting to know the gang members and their community, he's able to understand their motivations and struggles. It's a powerful reminder of the importance of empathy in understanding complex social issues.
Gang Leader for a Day is a testament to the importance of field research. By immersing himself in the community he was studying, Venkatesh was able to gain insights that he wouldn't have been able to get from a distance. It's a reminder of the value of getting out there and experiencing things firsthand.
Quotes 3
A riveting journey into the heart of darkness, Gang Leader for a Day offers an unprecedented window into the reality of urban life.
Steven Levitt - Economist, AuthorA profound exploration of the depths of urban poverty, Gang Leader for a Day is a must-read for anyone seeking to understand the true face of America's cities.
Malcolm Gladwell - Journalist, AuthorVenkatesh's Gang Leader for a Day is a compelling, insightful look into the intricacies and complexities of urban poverty.
William Julius Wilson - Sociologist, AcademicRecommendations
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