Gang Leader for a Day

A Rogue Sociologist Takes to the Streets

By: Sudhir Venkatesh

Narrated by: Reg Rogers, Sudhir Venkatesh, Stephen J. Dubner

Length: 8 hrs and 42 mins

Publisher's summary

The story of the young sociologist who studied a Chicago crack-dealing gang from the inside captured the world's attention when it was first described in Freakonomics. Gang Leader for a Day is the fascinating full story of how Sudhir Venkatest managed to gain entree into the gang, what he learned, and how his method revolutionized the academic establishment.

When Venkatesh walked into an abandoned building in one of Chicago's most notorious housing projects, he was looking for people to take a multiple-choice survey on urban poverty. A first-year grad student hoping to impress his professors with his boldness, he never imagined that as a result of the assignment he would befriend a gang leader named JT and spend the better part of a decade inside the projects under JT's protection, documenting what he saw there.

Over the next seven years, Venkatesh got to know the neighborhood dealers, crackheads, squatters, prostitutes, pimps, activists, cops, organizers, and officials. From his privileged position of unprecedented access, he observed JT and the rest of the gang as they operated their crack-selling business, conducted PR within their community, and rose up or fell within the ranks of the gang's complex organizational structure.

In Hollywood speak, Gang Leader for a Day is The Wire meets the University of Chicago. It's a brazen and fundamentally honest view into the morally ambiguous, highly intricate, often corrupt struggle to survive in what is tantamount to an urban war zone. It is also the story of a complicated friendship between Sudhir and JT: two young and ambitious men a universe apart.

©2008 Sudhir Venkatesh (P)2008 HarperCollins Publishers

Critic reviews

" Gang Leader for a Day is an absolutely incredible book. Sudhir Venkatesh's memoir of his years observing life in Chicago's inner city is a book unlike any other I have read, equal parts comedy and tragedy." (Steven D. Levitt, co-author, Freakonomics)

Exceptional

Loved it! Didn't think I'd get into it, but it is very well written! I will look for other books by Sudhir.

Great story, but...

I've lived in Chicago for about ten years and this book has shed so much more light into some of the history of the south side of Chicago. Once I started listening I couldn't stop. It was a great story. On the down side, and I can't believe someone else hasn't mentioned this...black people don't call other black people "n*gger". The term is "n*gga" Different spelling different meaning different word. One is not a slang version of the other. I know they have to enunciate when doing these readings but that was getting a bit annoying. Otherwise, it was a great book.

thinking about joining a gang

It's better than joining a gang! enjoy all of the insight and experiences from the comfort of your ear buds!

Fascinating - a must read

A truly unbelievable story from a self-described "naive, middle class outsider" who gets honest and full access to the world of one Chicago's toughest housing projects.

Amazing insight into the different subcultures (gang leaders, members, hustlers, single moms, police and more) living in the projects and how they co-exist and try to survive. Not only unbelievably illuminating (especially for those who have only driven by the projects on the highway) but also incredibly poignant as each of Sudhir's acquaintences comes to life as a real person trapped in a surreal world.

Have to agree that the narrator's attemps at character voices were pretty weak. However, this did little to damage the overall experience.

Intriguing!!

Great story, great topic, great courage, overall great read. I would recommend this book to anyone.

insightful

Incredible insights into a demographic I would never have experienced personally. Worth a read for anyone who works with youth, especially at risk youths.

great story but needs to be remade

the speaker uses a jazz cat voice when speaking as any of the black speakers. it's a jarring experience and constantly made me frustrated to hear such a strange and out dated, but no less racist, cadence. the story was amazing and I couldn't help but finish the book. the performance however leaves everything to be desired.

Great for a phd student in nursing

Great read--helpful and surprisingly entertaining. Will read more of his books. Wonder about JT now lol thanks for this!

Great storytelling

I previously read Freakonomics so I knew part of the story about Sudhir Venkatesh. Gang Leader for a day was even more vivid and fascinating - frankly, no offense sociologists, but I was surprised the narration was so good. You really find yourself wondering how Sudhir had the nerve to put himself in the situations he did.

All in all great story.

outstanding

This was much more interesting than my dissertation research! I was sad when I had finished it as it had been perfect listening while walking.
The author's reports on his experiences while getting to know the entire community impacted by the gang made me wonder what is happening with these people now.