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Monster: The Autobiography of an L.A. Gang Member Kindle Edition

by Sanyika Shakur (Author), Kody Scott (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 2,642 ratings
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The classic memoir of life as a Crip, written in solitary confinement: “A shockingly raw, frightening portrait of gang life in South Central Los Angeles.” —Michiko Kakutani, The New York Times

After pumping eight blasts from a sawed-off shotgun at a group of rival gang members, twelve-year-old Kody Scott was initiated into the L.A. gang the Crips. He quickly matured into one of the most formidable Crip combat soldiers, earning the name “Monster” for committing acts of brutal violence that repulsed even his fellow gang members.

When the inevitable jail term confined him to a maximum-security cell, a complete political and personal transformation followed: from Monster to Sanyika Shakur, black nationalist, member of the New Afrikan Independence Movement, and crusader against the causes of gangsterism. In a work that has been compared to The Autobiography of Malcolm X and Eldridge Cleaver’s Soul on Ice, Shakur makes palpable the despair and decay of America’s inner cities and gives eloquent voice to one aspect of the black ghetto experience.
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  1. Print length
    402 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publisher
    Grove Press
  5. Publication date
    December 1, 2007
  6. File size
    1617 KB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
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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.

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.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B003F8S75Y
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Grove Press; Reprint edition (December 1, 2007)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ December 1, 2007
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1617 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 402 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 2,642 ratings

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Sanyika Shakur

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Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
4.7 out of 5
2,642 global ratings
A great book
5 Stars
A great book
This book is one of my favorites and I needed to get a new copy since mine is falling apart. I stumbled across this book in my home 14 years ago and it changed the direction of my life. I’m not much of a reader but this book really draws you in and I’d recommend it to anyone.
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Top reviews from the United States

Hando Seward
5.0 out of 5 stars Intelligent, insightful, and interesting.
Reviewed in the United States on February 16, 2006
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This book is excellently written and, because it was so interesting and really pulls you into a world completely unknown to most, I read it in one setting . Being a white, middle class, suburban male, I had no idea of what life in South Central L.A. was really like before reading this book. Sanyika Shakur is a very intelligent, well spoken, New Afrikan, that not only gives you a realisitic look at the social inequalities, and horrible environment facing the New Afrikan population in South Central but also shows how these and other factors drive fine young men such as himself to lives of crime and unimaginable acts of violence. Not only is it a well written insightful social comentary but also a interesting autobiography that leads you through his personal growth from an eleven year old boy who wants nothing more than to be in a gang and to be infamous for his acts of violence, to a very intelligent, reasonable, though somewhat revolutionary, man. This book pulls you right in and you find yourself empathizing with the plite of the people as well as being very interested in the life of crime they are driven to as a result of it. I took a facination, perhaps a somewhat morbid one, in the gang activity and was facinated by the subculture of "sets" and slang that Shakur introduces his readers to. This is an excellently written book, very educational and very interesting. Even if you have no interest in the New Afrikan culture, or gangs, or prison, or social-economic factors discussed in this book it is still one of the most interesting autobiographies, if not books I have ever read, and is a must own.
8 people found this helpful
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Daniel Esqueda Jr.
5.0 out of 5 stars Good book
Reviewed in the United States on April 19, 2024
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Good book
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book
Reviewed in the United States on March 19, 2024
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Amazing book my boyfriend loved it!
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Yoli Aderele/Mocha Muse
5.0 out of 5 stars World Turned Right Side UP
Reviewed in the United States on August 27, 2011
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It difficult to put into words how this book affected my state of mind, challenged things I "thought" I knew. Its sad Sanyika had to be born from a Monster in order to be transformed into something greater. No longer a criminal mind. Having read this book, and subsequently getting to know the author I am honored, and beyond impressed with what can take place in a mind, in a being. For the human spirit is ever enduring, and shall prevail in the face of adversity, strife and opposition. This is a HEAVY book. The faint of heart should not proceed and expect to see things the same old way you did before. I caution and encourage you to read this with an open mind and heart. You won't regret it, this is raw, and real. Things I've seen for myself having spent time in L.A. It doesn't get more honest than this. We can all come back from anything if we are willing to change for the better.
One person found this helpful
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Kindle Customer
4.0 out of 5 stars "Monster" The Autobiography of an L.A. Gang Member
Reviewed in the United States on December 7, 2014
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I didn't like the feelings I got when reading the story because of the identification I had with some of the events that took place. Much of what the author wrote made me look at my own dark past. It was easy to picture myself in some of the situations the main character found himself in. The fact that some of the disturbing scenes will probably stay in my mind for years to come is an indication of how engaged I was in the book.

About half way through the book when the author began to change from gangster to revolutionist his style of writing began to change. I sensed a little sesquipedalianism, which lead me to wonder who was the author's intended target audience. He referred to many characters by names that didn't have much relevance to the story. I assumed only people in the neighborhood will know who the author is talking about so that lead me to believe that people from the neighborhood the main character frequented was his intended target audience. Unfortunately, not many people in poverty stricken neighborhoods are interested in reading so their vocabulary isn't as broad. I doubted if many would understand the author's message. The author himself wasn't able to read efficiently until after nearly a decade of incarceration.

When the main character asked himself , "who can I kill today?" I felt that he crossed the line from gangsterism to serial killer. There was an emotionally touching scene of the main character writing a letter to his father in which the main character expressed his anger and contempt for his fathers abandoning him. Further into the book I commended the main character for vowing to always be in his kids life. I thought, If more fathers think like him there would be a lot less Monsters in this world.

The book was easy to read aside from some of the west coast slang. The book had a well defined plot and the storyline was very easy to follow. I noticed how the main characters criminal mind began to change at the perfect time. About half way through the book he had an epiphany and gradually became a responsible productive member of society. Toward the end the main character seemed to be a very logical, intelligent person.

I chose this book because I am writing a novel that involves a gang that originated in Los Angles. This book helped me by giving me a better understanding of gang culture. I strongly recommend this book to inner city young adults that's not squeamish at heart. Sanyika Shakur is a very talented writer and I hope to read more from him.

Erik Smalls
11 people found this helpful
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JMMom
5.0 out of 5 stars Must read if you care about all people.
Reviewed in the United States on July 21, 2019
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I read this book initially because 2 dear friends of mine were murdered by a gang because they were going to testify against them for a robbery. I was searching for some closure because these were people who would give anything they had to a person in need and I couldn’t understand how someone could murder 2 innocent people. After beginning the book I was mesmerized with his honesty and writing ability to transform a reader to the time and place he was writing about. It couldn’t be farther from my lifestyle now although I did grow up around La Costa Nostra. It is a deep, heartfelt and honest account of his thoughts and life. I still don’t have closure for my friends but at least now I understand more about why they kill with no remorse or regret. It’s a sad life but he shows the good in his soul through his words. He didn’t kill for sick gratification like a serial killer. He’s a really good person in his heart. Definitely a must read!
31 people found this helpful
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Frodo
5.0 out of 5 stars Gratuitous Friendship
Reviewed in the United States on July 11, 2023
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There are literally zero monsters in this book. Just some chummy urban fellas cleaning up the neighborhood. Buy this for your kids!
One person found this helpful
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Zerria
5.0 out of 5 stars Good book
Reviewed in the United States on August 5, 2023
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I bought it for my bf & ended up reading it myself
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Top reviews from other countries

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Robert
5.0 out of 5 stars Absoluter Klassiker!
Reviewed in Germany on August 23, 2023
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Das Buch ist einfach legendär, und ein MUST READ für jeden, der sich für das Thema Gangs in den USA interessiert. R.I.P. Monster Kody.
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Michael
5.0 out of 5 stars Good read
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 21, 2021
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Great book really does paint a clear picture of the life he has lead and some of the problems some black Americans during that period went through
One person found this helpful
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josh l
5.0 out of 5 stars Josh
Reviewed in Canada on December 11, 2019
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Really loved the war stories and prison stories, this is an exciting read, I never got bored. For those who say it's poorly written are disrespectful losers in my opinion. Would recommend to anyone who is interested in gang culture and warfare. This is a really deep look into what life was like south Central, L.A. in the 80s for those who interested. The author admits this is only really ten percent of what they actually did as far as the war stories, I wish they was more. That's why I read it and now have a interest and certain respect for kody
One person found this helpful
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Hugo B.M.
4.0 out of 5 stars Conforme a la description
Reviewed in France on June 5, 2019
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Confirme a la description. Envoi plus rapide que prévu.
État légèrement plus abîmé qu'annoncé mais en bon état général tout de même.
Bon livre bien écrit en plus. Intéressant en tout cas.
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crustycronkite
5.0 out of 5 stars 一人の男の成長の物語
Reviewed in Japan on January 2, 2005
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わずか11歳にしてL.A.の悪名高いクリップスに入団、そして初めて人を射殺した筆者コディー・スコットは、その激しく攻撃的な性格から「モンスター」と呼ばれるようになる。
　数え切れない程の人を銃撃してきた、と自ら認める彼は少年院や刑務所への入出所を繰り返す。
　しかし獄中彼は、ギャングとしての自分に疑問を持ち、有色人種を抑圧するアメリカ社会の構造に気づき、たゆまない鍛錬と勉強で自らを革命家へと高めてゆく。そして彼はギャングから脱退し妻と子ども達の為に生きてゆく。この過程で彼はMonster Kody Scottという名前を捨て、スワヒリ語のSanyika Shakurと名前を変える。この名には「同胞達を集める男」という意味があるそうだ。
　これは一人の男の奇跡的と言っていい成長を綴った自伝である。文章は知性的で、父親不在の問題、手に職を持つことの大切さ、家族愛、黒人対黒人の暴力の不毛さ、といった数々の問題点を読者に提供してゆく。そして、なにより心に響いてくるのは、犯した数え切れない罪について筆者が何の言い訳もしていないことだ。
　舞台は1970年代初頭からほぼ1980年代の終わりまでで、ヒップホップについての話題を期待する読者もいるかもしれないが、この本にそれは出てこない（作者はブルース好きだったりする）。
　ちなみに、彼は本書の中で黒人をニュー・アフリカンと呼び、白人をアメリカン、と呼んでいる。
　タフな本だ。
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