Sandra F. (waffle) reviewed on 2/11/2010 + 3 more book reviews

Helpful Score: 1

Engaging, and infuriating, peek into a world I know absolutely nothing about. Gang Leader for a Day: A Rogue Sociologist Takes to the Streets has changed my perspective on a lot of things I take for granted in my life. Such as not having to worry about getting shot or beat up. Or such as my belief that America is relatively free from corruption and bribery. Or even that an ambulance will actually show up if I call 911. And by the end of the book, life hasn't actually gotten any better for any of the indigent people documented in this book, and this fact just makes you frustrated. This book was also fairly emotionally engaging in a different way: you get caught up in Sudhir's world and his worries as he follows the gang around. Maybe I just identified with him because I'm a grad student too. But his naivete is also pretty frustrating, though I'd probably have done the same in his situation.

I don't know how much of it I can take as literally true, nor how much is being left out, but even the relatively tame things that are included is more than I want to know. Well, in a freeway car crash sort of way--you don't want to see, but you can't help looking. In any case, though, certainly a fascinating read, and worth reading.

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