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Gang Leader for a Day
Gang Leader for a Day: A Rogue Sociologist Takes to the Streets | Sudhir Alladi Venkatesh
Recounts the story of a young sociologist whose infiltration of a Chicago drug gang was originally introduced in the work "Freakonomics," describing the author's idealism, his friendship with gang leader JT, and his witness to the organization's crack-sel
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CuriousG
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Day 12 of #12booksof2020 - last one! @Andrew65

This was one of the most interesting nonfiction audiobooks I listened to this year. At times I had a hard time believing that this could actually happen in real life, but overall I think it has the ring of truth. Either way, I still think it was worth every second. Has me interested in reading more of his work.

14 likes1 stack add
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Maria514626
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Pickpick

Fascinating. Nonfiction that reads like a novel. Would love to know where the main characters are now.

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plaidchuck
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Alright folks! Neverwhere was the clear winner with 22 votes for the #makemereadit challenge with the rest of the results as follows:

The Shining: 7
Notes from Underground: 3
Treasure Island: 2
Gang Leader for a Day: 1
Bill the Galactic Hero: 0

Let's do another round of voting between these books to see if we can shake up these results and see if King is still, well king!

shellleigh33 I still have to go with 6y
Andrew65 It‘s got no votes so I have to give a vote to 6y
plaidchuck @Andrew65 that's the spirit! Really looking forward to reading it, sounds humorous. 6y
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Andrew65 @plaidchuck It does sound fun! 6y
Sweettartlaura The Shining! 6y
RamsFan1963 No one voted for Bill? I just read that recently, it was very good, the perfect anti-military science fiction story. 6y
plaidchuck @RamsFan1963 looks like Bill is getting some love! As a veteran I am looking forward to reading it! 6y
34 likes1 stack add9 comments
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bizzarebhide
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Gripping. Gritty. Mind-blowing.

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Yellowpigeon
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This scene happened during a teacher's strike. The author was asked to head a class of gang members. This was the gang leader's method of class control.

readinginthedark This sounds like a wild read! 7y
23 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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LindsayReads
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Pickpick

This was...good. An exposé on gang life and urban poverty particular to Chicago's housing projects of the '90s. It reads pretty smoothly, consisting of mostly anecdotes of Venkatesh's experiences. The academician in me wanted a bit more synthesis and got really upset about his naivete and research "methods"...but the former is probably better addressed in his dissertation, and the latter might not have gotten him the information/insight he sought.

38 likes3 stack adds
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LindsayReads
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I have been dutifully reading this at night throughout the holiday, but opted for an impromptu readathon during the days to put a dent in my massive stack of library books. Happy to put my focus back on it again. #currentlyreading #photoadaynov16

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LindsayReads

Not that it's *such* a stretch to prefer reading to most other obligations, but for real I would prefer to stay at home reading about gangs, violence, and drugs than be around some very unpleasant family members today. I am so enjoying everyone's posts who are able to savor their time with family, and I am sending love to those who find themselves in a situation similar to mine. I am #thankfulfor the family we choose.

Notafraidofwords Hang in there 7y
LindsayReads @Notafraidofwords Thank you 💜💜 7y
SuperPunkNinja I'm here for you! ❤❤❤ 7y
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DeborahSmall Thankfully I only have to endure Christmas with shitty family. Not this year though. I'm putting my foot down, just myself, husband and kids this year. My husbands family great...mine, not so much. Sending hugs ❤️ 7y
8little_paws I'm sorry to hear that, I hope it goes ok and you get home fast afterwards 7y
Eyelit 💜💜💜 7y
LindsayReads @McShelfington @DeborahSmall @8little_paws @Eyelit Thank you all! 💜💜 It was mostly civil and blessedly brief. Managed to get home in time for a walk at dusk through my neighborhood park. 💜🌳🍁🌇 7y
30 likes7 comments
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LindsayReads
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I don't allow myself to do any #readinginbed in the morning because I would never get up. 🤓 Keeping it interesting with this exposé that reminds me of The Wire but better. #photoadaynov16

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LindsayReads
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Just started this as an audiobook today. An hour in, and I am hooked. Has anyone else read it? #nonfictionnovember

Godmotherx5 No, but I have the hard copy. Hope you enjoy it. 7y
33 likes4 stack adds1 comment
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SeaBass13
Pickpick

I just finished. I am a very young reader but I read and understand books way above my level but I really enjoyed this book. Especially the statistics!