Ghetto Bastard

A Memoir

AMAZON #1 BESTSELLER!

"I wasn’t born a criminal—I was born into chaos."

From the gritty streets of the South Bronx during the 1970s and '80s, Ghetto Bastard is a raw, unflinching urban memoir about survival, trauma, and the search for self-worth. Russell Vann tells his true story with brutal honesty, taking readers deep into a world shaped by poverty, abandonment, and the struggles of growing up in a system that offered no safety net—but also by fierce hope.

Raised without guidance and surrounded by violence, Vann navigates a reality where love is scarce and trust is dangerous. From evading trouble on the streets to facing betrayal at every turn, his journey reveals the truth behind the chaos—and what it truly takes to overcome adversity.

If you’ve ever felt invisible, voiceless, or broken by your past, this book will speak to you.

This Black memoir is more than a personal story—it's a powerful voice rising from the inner city, demanding to be heard. Whether you're drawn to coming-of-age stories, true-life resilience, or memoirs of redemption, Ghetto Bastard will leave a lasting impact.

Couldn't put it down.

The resilience of this guy is off the chart. Many would have wdrawn into the deep dark. Inspiring.

Ugh.. (sad face)

It’s truly disheartening when you come across a potentially great book that you firmly believe would have flourished if read by a human, yet Audible persistently adds these books to its library as if they hold any value. They don’t, and this practice undermines the very purpose of the platform. Moreover, I was initially drawn to this book solely based on its title. In fact, I believe it should have been titled “The Disrespectful Ghetto Bastard.” The story certainly aligned with the description and provided valuable insights into the life of a black man growing up in the grimy streets of New York during that era. However, the ending was rather disappointing, suggesting that it was merely a means of expressing emotions. While it wasn’t bad, it certainly wasn’t exceptionally good either.