Gang Leader for a Day: A Rogue Sociologist Takes to the Streets
4 journalers for this copy...
Unabridged audiobook on 7 CDs, 8.5 hrs, read by Reg Rogers
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From AudioFile
Reg Rogers's mix of distance and emotion is a perfect vehicle for the author's story of his experiences as a young Chicago sociologist who hangs with the Black Kings gang to understand the role of poverty in their lives. Sudir rides the waves of day-to-day events. One day he's impressed by the sense of community among the gang members; the next he's horrified by the beating of an elderly man. Before long he's wondering how to carry out his research without becoming involved. Rogers's voice particularly animates people of authority. Ms. Bailey, an elderly woman who has controlled neighborhood situations for three decades, sounds ready to take action. Gang leader J.T. comes across as brusque, clipped, and menacing.
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From AudioFile
Reg Rogers's mix of distance and emotion is a perfect vehicle for the author's story of his experiences as a young Chicago sociologist who hangs with the Black Kings gang to understand the role of poverty in their lives. Sudir rides the waves of day-to-day events. One day he's impressed by the sense of community among the gang members; the next he's horrified by the beating of an elderly man. Before long he's wondering how to carry out his research without becoming involved. Rogers's voice particularly animates people of authority. Ms. Bailey, an elderly woman who has controlled neighborhood situations for three decades, sounds ready to take action. Gang leader J.T. comes across as brusque, clipped, and menacing.
I enjoyed this book, which reads like sociology lite. The author is almost unbelievably stupid during his initial research into the Robert Taylor Homes in Chicago, but I believe he just might have been as naive as he says, and perhaps as lacking in self-reflection as well. The author shows up to do a research project by asking people "How does it feel to be Black and poor?" He reports that he actually believed this might be a valid project that would yield results. Throughout the book, the author reflects on his own lack of awareness, but he never delves more deeply into self reflection than merely pointing out that he felt conflicted sometimes. Venkatesh is not a beautiful writer, but he has an interesting story to tell here and it was worth reading.
In the mail via iwillrejoice's audiobook VBB.
Received today as part of iwillrejoice's Audiobook VBB - thank you!
Reserved for iwillrejoice's Audiobook VBB (round 21).
Finally got a good box for mailing this in, so it's headed for Oklahoma as part of iwillrejoice's Audiobook VBB.
I found this fascinating from beginning to end because I love books that expose me to lifestyles I couldn't possibly comprehend from my rural Oklahoma armchair. Venkatesh does a great job of covering many facets of a huge problem: gangs/drugs in inner-city projects in Chicago. Not everyone will be interested in this book, but they should read it anyway because what our world needs is a bit more understanding and empathy.
My only complaint is that I wasn't in love with the audiobook narration by Reg Rogers. The author's own section at the end was much easier to listen to.
My only complaint is that I wasn't in love with the audiobook narration by Reg Rogers. The author's own section at the end was much easier to listen to.
One of my contributions to Big John Lefty's Other AudioBookBox, round 1
Found this in BigJohn Lefty's Audio Book Box. I read about this in Freakonomics and wondered who would do such research. I am keen to hear the whole story.
