The Corner

A Year in the Life of an Inner-City Neighborhood

By: David Simon, Edward Burns

Narrated by: Dion Graham, David Simon

Length: 25 hrs and 28 mins

Publisher's summary

The crime-infested intersection of West Fayette and Monroe Streets is well-known - and cautiously avoided - by most of Baltimore. But this notorious corner's 24-hour open-air drug market provides the economic fuel for a dying neighborhood. David Simon, an award-winning author and crime reporter, and Edward Burns, a 20-year veteran of the urban drug war, tell the chilling story of this desolate crossroad.

Through the eyes of one broken family - two drug-addicted adults and their smart, vulnerable 15-year-old son, DeAndre McCollough, Simon and Burns examine the sinister realities of inner cities across the country and unflinchingly assess why law-enforcement policies, moral crusades, and the welfare system have accomplished so little. This extraordinary book is a crucial look at the price of the drug culture and the poignant scenes of hope, caring, and love that astonishingly rise in the midst of a place America has abandoned.

©1998 David Simon and Edward Burns (P)2020 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

"The Corner is an intimate, intense dispatch from the broken heart of urban America. It is impossible to read these pages and not feel stunned at the high price, in human potential, in thwarted aspirations, that simple survival on the streets of West Baltimore demands of its citizens. An important document, as devastating as it is lucid." (Richard Price, author of Clockers)

"The Corner is a remarkable book - very tough, very demanding, very rewarding. Some of it is brutal and all of it is heartbreaking. As a reporter, I can only stand back and admire David Simon and Edward Burns for an amazing piece of reportage. To be there for an entire year, to make sense of random events and a list of characters long enough to make Charles Dickens envious, and to write coherently - it's a breathtaking achievement. And they manage to make West Baltimore as much a character as any of the flesh-and-blood people in the book." (Glenn Frankel, author of Beyond the Promised Land)

"If you want to understand street-corner life in the inner city, you should read The Corner, an amazingly intimate, detailed work of reporting that makes human and vivid a world that outsiders ordinarily are forced to learn about through statistics, sound bites, and stereotypes." (Nicholas Lemann, author of The Promised Land)

Nothing has changed

Although this book was written in the '90s, it seems very relevant to today. I find myself looking at my city, Atlanta, in a whole different light after listening. My only complaint is the narrator can be a bit hard to hear when he whispers. Look forward to reading "Homicide", the precursor, very soon.

An amazing project

This book has made me feel incredibly moved and grateful for all people involved in its’ production. I say thank you

Great read

Great read! Weaving the the characters into the story was masterfully done. Thoroughly enjoyed this book and have recommended it to others.

Profound

More than 20 years after writing this book remains a poignant view of American Cities

Should be required reading

One of the most authentic depictions of Baltimore, and detailing of failed American drug policy.

Realistic

While listening to this book I kept thinking the author had the have experience with drug addiction, not knowing that he was following the characters around for the book. As someone who battled drug addiction and won by surrendering, this book really hit home with me. In my opinion, only someone who has been there could truly understand. Great book that I thoroughly enjoyed.

great great great book

this book has a great and in depth detailed description of the early 90's Baltimore streets I've seen the tv show on HBO back in the days but this book is that and then some and much more great great great book

Excellence

incredible story its was narrated perfectly. I feel that really captured all the characters and their struggles.

Amazing work

Every person who ever considered getting in a helping position like a social worker or teacher should read this.

Incredible

Great book. In depth, real and gritty. I cared about the people in this book. Cheered them on, yet crestfallen at their often relapses and defeats.