by Sanyika Shakur

isbn: 0140232257
subject: Nonfiction, Biography
finished: 4/10/1999

Kody Scott grew up in South Central LA, and joined the Crips at age 11. He chose the gangster lifestyle because, in his position, that was the way to achieve social status and to keep from being stepped on. He excelled at hunting and killing, earning the nickname "Monster" as well as a number of prison sentences. His autobiography describes the aspects of gang life that you might expect: the drive-bys, robberies, and drugs. It also describes police brutality, the confusion and despair in the community caused by constant violence, and the ugliness of the prison system. This is a powerful and disturbing book, written after Shakur educated himself and became a black nationalist. Recommended.