Gang Leader for a Day by Sudhir Venkatesh

"Gang Leader for a Day" is about a sociology student at the University of Chicago in the late 1980's who decides to go beyond the traditional research methods of surveys and data and actually get a first-hand perspective of one of the city's poorest, crime-ridden communities. He is miraculously able to befriend the leader of a local gang and gets to see the behind the scenes workings of how the gang operates, how it affects other people living in the projects, and the community at large. The book is very interesting, especially if the reader has no prior experience or understanding of inner-city dynamics.

Leatherby Libraries Call Number: COC 301 (On reserve at the Circulation desk)

Review submitted by Ashley Kemp, Special Events, Law School
Rating: Recommended