Monster: The Autobiography of an L.A. Gang Member
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Monster: The Autobiography of an L.A. Gang Member Paperback – June 29, 2004
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Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
This dispatch from a maximum-security prison chronicles Scott's transformation from a "gangbanging ghetto star" to an evangelical proponent of black nationalism.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
From Library Journal
"Monster" Kody, today known as Sanyika Sakur, spent 16 years as a "gangbanger" in South Central Los Angeles. His account begins at age 11, when he was inducted into the ranks of the Crips, and ends (hundreds of bodies later) with Scott serving a seven-year prison term for beating a crack dealer. Throughout, he successfully conveys a sense of the siege mentality that prevails every minute of every day, due to the daily barrage of gang-on-gang violence. Names of derivative Crip gangs (e.g., Rollin' Sixties, Hoovers, Grape Street Watts Crips) and gang members (e.g., Li'l Hunchy, Tray Ball, Huckabuck) flit across the pages in a confusing manner, but Scott pushes the narrative forward with scarcely a glance backward, and, ultimately, names and incidents are not important. Unfortunately, Scott was in prison during the violence that followed last year's Rodney King incident and thus sheds little light on the peace treaty forged between the Bloods and Crips. Although unrepentant, Scott today is dedicated to ending gang violence. Recommended for most collections.
- Mark Annichiarico, "Library Journal"
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
- Mark Annichiarico, "Library Journal"
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
110 of 141 people found the following review helpful
By
Hauke Rudolph
on March 25, 2004
Format: Paperback
9 Comments
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This autobiography does not lend itself well to being rated, since it basically consists of two different parts. The first one is a fascinating and insightful description of a childhood and a youth spent in one of the country's most gang-ridden and dangerous neighborhoods, South Central L.A. This part deserves four stars. The second one is an endless tirade of how society has done the author wrong. This part deserves none. As a result, I could not give the book more than two stars.
Kody Scott tells with verve how he grew up to become one of L.A.'s most notorious teenage gangsters. A shocking and frightening account of boys gone mad, killing other kids for the mere fact of wearing the wrong color, or living on the wrong street corner. What sets Kody's story apart is the fact that he is a first-person narrator (albeit, it seems, with the help of a professional writer), whereas other authors have based their books about gang-life on observations and interviews. As a result, readers will learn more from Kody about gang members' motivations and feelings than they ever could from an author who has not been affiliated with gang-life him- or herself.
However, the second part of the book, Kody's description of his life in prison and his conversion to a black nationalist, is downright pathetic. He constantly blames others for the choices he made in life: His parents he calls "promiscuous" and "irresponsible", society ("the system") he accuses of "oppressing every person of color". The horrible acts of violence he has committed he plays down as "wrongdoings ... things that were morally wrong based on the human code of ethics". He tries to make his readers believe that there is an automatism: Every kid from a poor neighborhood will invariably end up as a gang member.Read more ›
Kody Scott tells with verve how he grew up to become one of L.A.'s most notorious teenage gangsters. A shocking and frightening account of boys gone mad, killing other kids for the mere fact of wearing the wrong color, or living on the wrong street corner. What sets Kody's story apart is the fact that he is a first-person narrator (albeit, it seems, with the help of a professional writer), whereas other authors have based their books about gang-life on observations and interviews. As a result, readers will learn more from Kody about gang members' motivations and feelings than they ever could from an author who has not been affiliated with gang-life him- or herself.
However, the second part of the book, Kody's description of his life in prison and his conversion to a black nationalist, is downright pathetic. He constantly blames others for the choices he made in life: His parents he calls "promiscuous" and "irresponsible", society ("the system") he accuses of "oppressing every person of color". The horrible acts of violence he has committed he plays down as "wrongdoings ... things that were morally wrong based on the human code of ethics". He tries to make his readers believe that there is an automatism: Every kid from a poor neighborhood will invariably end up as a gang member.Read more ›
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30 of 37 people found the following review helpful
By
manbow282@AOL.com
on October 19, 2000
Format: Paperback
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I was very pleased with Monster in that Kody Scott did not use these stories for personal glory, but rather showed the shocking realities of gang warfare and the problems which occur in a neighborhood like South Central Los Angeles. The book breaks down several stereotypical barriers, as Scott's eloquent voice gives the reader a real perspective of his thoughts and the politics inside the Crips, who battle the enemy Bloods. It's an outrage how little is published about gang warfare and the amount of people who are killed on a daily basis in these gang wars. I also enjoyed how Scott stayed true to himself and his readers as he used the actual gang names, and the slang that is involved in the 'hood. This brought a real element of realism to the story and I believed from the start that this story was absolutely true. I also liked Scott's personal transformation from gangster to muslim activist, even though he is still a little extreme in his beliefs and even actions. One thing I think that Scott could have done better would be the less-than-smooth transitions from the streets to the various juvenile halls and prisons. At times I found myself wondering,"What landed him in jail this time?" as it seemed like important events in the story were left out. The story was very graphic and depressing throughout, so I would definitely not recommend this to anyone who gets overly scared or wants to keep their life as sheltered and safe as possible in thinking this kind of thing doesn't go on. I would also not recommend it to any of these Eminem wannabes who think the streets are the only answers to the problems in their life, and that gangsters like these are cool. Make no mistake, these guys are murderers and criminals, and are not meant to be role models.Read more ›
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By
A Customer
on July 26, 1997
Format: Paperback
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Shakur gives us an inside look at the gang life, juvenile lock downs, Calif. prisons and that of a new-born revolutionary. Understand better how young men and women get involved in gangs and what they must endure on a daily basis. Several times I had to put the book down and gather the strength to continue to read. It was difficult to learn of the death and degree of destruction our children cause each other, as they struggle to live. This is not the story told by the media. Indeed these children weren't even considered, they were invisible. And for this reason alone, this book should be required reading for people who can make a difference - all of us! Read it, pass it on to a friend and decide how you're going to affect the life of a child. Gangsterism isn't relagated to a place, it's a state of mind
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14 of 18 people found the following review helpful
By
A Customer
on October 28, 1999
Format: Paperback
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I think every kid that is thinking or in a gang should read this book. Where I live There are not any gangs, though I know some bangers from nearby cities. Last year I was what you called a wanna-be banger. I had only seen movies and heard stories of what banging is like. As I matured I grew out of this phase. Though I still thought it would be cool to move to Boston or something and join a gang. After reading this extremly touching book I turned my head the other way and felt bad for kids that live in inner-cities that HAVE TO bang to survive. I feel that every young teen that thinks banging is cool should read this and see the trouble banging put Sanyika through. I personally would like to meet this legend and give him a lot of credit for coming out of jail and staying strong, and not banging.
Read this book if it is the last thing you do on earth, it will make you change your mind tremendously and really make you think. This book has inspired me in so many ways.
Sanyika, thank you.
Read this book if it is the last thing you do on earth, it will make you change your mind tremendously and really make you think. This book has inspired me in so many ways.
Sanyika, thank you.
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