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Monster: The Autobiography of an L.A. Gang Member
"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 brutality and 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 document 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 today."
400 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 1993
544 people are currently reading
7,115 people want to read
About the author
Sanyika Shakur
4Ìýbooks44ÌýfollowersSanyika Shakur (born Kody Scott), also known by his former street moniker Monster, was a former member of the Los Angeles gang the Eight-Tray Gangster Crips. He got his nickname as a 13-year-old gang member when he beat and stomped a robbery victim into a coma. Shakur claimed to have reformed in prison, joined the Republic of New Afrika movement, and wrote an acclaimed autobiography called Monster: The Autobiography of an L.A. Gang Member, which was first published in 1993.
Shakur spent 36 months at San Quentin State Prison and five years at Pelican Bay State Prison, most of which was spent in solitary confinement, where he converted to Islam, but it is not known if the form he practices is traditional Islam or Faradian Islam.
In May 2008 Shakur pleaded no contest to carjacking and robbery charges, and was sentenced to six years in state prison. Also in 2008, Shakur made his fiction debut with the publication of T.H.U.G. L.I.F.E. (Grove Atlantic Books) In the book, Shakur claims his mother told him his father was former NFL running back Dick Bass.
On July 10, 2017, Shakur was sent back to prison for an assault conviction out of San Diego County. He was incarcerated at Centinela State Prison in Imperial, California and was later released on parole.
On June 6, 2021, Shakur was found deceased in a tent in a homeless encampment in Oceanside, California.
Shakur spent 36 months at San Quentin State Prison and five years at Pelican Bay State Prison, most of which was spent in solitary confinement, where he converted to Islam, but it is not known if the form he practices is traditional Islam or Faradian Islam.
In May 2008 Shakur pleaded no contest to carjacking and robbery charges, and was sentenced to six years in state prison. Also in 2008, Shakur made his fiction debut with the publication of T.H.U.G. L.I.F.E. (Grove Atlantic Books) In the book, Shakur claims his mother told him his father was former NFL running back Dick Bass.
On July 10, 2017, Shakur was sent back to prison for an assault conviction out of San Diego County. He was incarcerated at Centinela State Prison in Imperial, California and was later released on parole.
On June 6, 2021, Shakur was found deceased in a tent in a homeless encampment in Oceanside, California.
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March 5, 2023
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So apparently Sanyika Shakur actually has a Wikipedia page, something I did not know prior to reading this book. (He was also friends with Tupac!) I found this book totally randomly in a Little Free Library and thought it would make a great addition to the list of books by Black authors that I am reading for Black History Month, as I know very little about Black Nationalism or L.A. gang violence, and before Shakur converted to Islam and Black Nationalism and started trying to devote his time to turn people away from gangs, he was a pretty major player in his local syndicate.
MONSTER, which was his nickname he got for beating up a guy, is Shakur's story of how he got into the gang, how he eventually got caught, what prison was like, and what he did after. It's an interesting memoir and I can appreciate his motives for writing it and coming clean about his past, even if a lot of what happened in it disturbed me. I also think that he brings up a pretty important issue, which is similarly touched upon in Patricia Williams's memoir RABBIT, which is that infrastructural racism contributes to crime because it makes it possible for Black people and people of color in low-income areas to make money and make community networks, which they might not otherwise have the privilege of getting. This does not make gang violence or, in the case of RABBIT, drug-dealing, morally ethical, but it does make it understandable-- at least from a logic perspective. If the doors to legitimate ways of making money and earning a living are closed to you and your family, why wouldn't you turn to other channels instead?
My favorite parts of the book were his interactions with his mom and girlfriend(s), and what his upbringing was like, and his interactions with his family. I also really liked the descriptions of 1980s L.A. and how well he knew his neighborhood. There was a description of him and his mom in an Asian-owned grocery store and another of one of his associates and a boombox that just felt very 1980s. His interest in Black Nationalism and his African cultural roots was also interesting and I wish there was more about that, and what he talked to the younger men in his community about after prison. Most of the memoir is a recount of his crimes, which started to feel repetitive and impersonal-- probably by necessity, but it could make the writing feel cold. Although I will admit that I smiled when he was reading The Godfather and using it for inspo on how he wanted to run his own gang. It was both disturbing and quirky, and felt like something a character in a movie might do. I don't know-- I thought it was funny. Honestly, for a subject I feel so uncomfortable with, he made it fairly easy to read. So take from that what you will. Honestly, if you're at all curious about L.A. history or what happens in a gang (hopefully for research purposes only), it's worth the read.
2 to 2.5 stars
July 29, 2020
Ok, "Monster" Kody fucking shoots PEOPLE a/k/a HUMAN BEINGS without so much as a fore or afterthought. He writes about these murders as if they are "points" to be gained in a game and nothing more. I was expecting to see Kody redeem himself in the end. I was hopeful when a Muslim preacher came in and struck a nerve with the boy (who I believe was 15 at the time and in prison).
But woe...woe...Kody simply redirected his Eight Tray Gangster CRIPS hatred of the Sixties over onto those evil white people who he refers to as "Americans" (me?) that oppress him by assuming he should get a fucking day job instead of rollin thru the hood all day long shooting people & getting high on PCP. Fucking oppressive bastards! Oh, and woe, woe that Monster has to spend time in PRISON for assault and battery after he KILLS people.
You know how I know how Kody is not redeemed? Read the "prose" closely. "We strapped up" "we went hunting for a mark" "we grabbed our enemy"..."THEY then shot him." "THEY then cut his damn arms off" "THEY kept his arm..." Yeah. Doesn't even take responsibility for his own goddamned actions.
And shut up about this gang lifestyle being "inescapable" for the love of all that is holy. I mean, only ONE kid got expelled for flinging gang signs in the school photo. There are a lot of kids that are "off limits" to being killed because they are "civilians". So shut up about being in a gang is "safer."
I was hoping that Kody, after finding he is a "New Afrikan" would get out of prison and maybe mentor young gangbangers to get out of banging. But no...want to know how it ends? If not, don't read the following:
He is thrown back in prison for assaulting a dude and stealing his van. But wait...Monster is the one wrongly captured by the racist and evil pigs! You see, the dude was a CRACK addict who wouldn't stop slinging on the corner, and Monster just was trying to do the right thing and has to 'confiscate' the crack addict's van. Woe. WOE to the parolee that does not call the police to take care of crack addicts! WOE WOE to the neck-tattooed 'former' banger who rather than stand by his self-asserted moral rectitude and go in front of a jury instead pleads to 7 years.
WAKE THE FUCK UP AND WRITE PART II.
I'm glad this punk ass is still in prison.
He can't find me through goodreads.com, can he? If he can, I was just kidding, and this book is totally sweet and gets 5 stars!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 26, 2019
In 1994, I bought and read "MONSTER: The Autobiography of an L.A. Gang Member" based on the recommendation of a local talk radio host, who lavished praise on the book. I was utterly absorbed in reading about the life of someone who got caught up in the gang scene in Los Angeles from the mid-1970s through the 1980s.
The way Sanyika Shakur related his life story reminded me in several respects of '', which I had read 30 years ago. (It completely changed the way I had sized up Malcolm X up to that time. I gained a greater respect for him because of the transformation he made from being a petty criminal to a brilliant, fearless, and charismatic activist and human rights leader.)
Granted, Sanyika Shakur is not a Malcolm X. But from reading his autobiography, I got the sense that he had put his criminal past behind him through having gained a greater insight into the ways of the world, with a view to living sanely.
The way Sanyika Shakur related his life story reminded me in several respects of '', which I had read 30 years ago. (It completely changed the way I had sized up Malcolm X up to that time. I gained a greater respect for him because of the transformation he made from being a petty criminal to a brilliant, fearless, and charismatic activist and human rights leader.)
Granted, Sanyika Shakur is not a Malcolm X. But from reading his autobiography, I got the sense that he had put his criminal past behind him through having gained a greater insight into the ways of the world, with a view to living sanely.
February 7, 2008
This was a bit of an odd book. There were moments when I just wanted to put it down because it was moving slowly, was weighed down by the prose of someone trying way too hard, and reading the dialect of the dialogue was headache-causing at times. There were also moments where the book just flew by and I found myself getting involved with the characters, starting to feel like maybe I was understanding some of the allure that the Bloods or the Crips might have had for a young person. Of course, I'm not from South Central LA nor do I have any real experience with hardcore gangs from major inner city areas, but this book did a good job of explaining just why gangs are flourishing and why they might not be all bad. It also does a wonderful job of detailing the crimes, the monstrosities, and the insane level of violence facing most (if not all) of the young men and women in gangs today.
Overall, a very interesting book. It was a little political and a little too wordy and preachy for me to give it more than three stars, but I feel that it was a worthwhile effort to get through it.
Overall, a very interesting book. It was a little political and a little too wordy and preachy for me to give it more than three stars, but I feel that it was a worthwhile effort to get through it.
January 20, 2011
“The Autobiography of an L.A. Gang Member� by Sanyika Shakur also known as “Monster� Kody Scott is a raw frightening portrait of gang life in South Central, Los Angeles. In the sixth grade he joined the Eight Tray Crips. During his early days of being in the gang, he left a man in a coma and disfigured. Police told bystanders the person responsible for it was a “monster, thus giving him his nickname.
Kody Scott was raised with no father and a hard working mother who was never able to be home. He then became a gangmember from his lack of guidance and for the anger her held inside of him. I feel that this book shows the capabilities of someone with the no guidance in their life. It gives a clear and vivid portrait of the dangers and frightening problems that are happening in our poor areas. I also feel it shows that no one is ever bound to the life that they have and that you can change, if you commit yourself and thrive to do better with your life.
Kody Scott was raised with no father and a hard working mother who was never able to be home. He then became a gangmember from his lack of guidance and for the anger her held inside of him. I feel that this book shows the capabilities of someone with the no guidance in their life. It gives a clear and vivid portrait of the dangers and frightening problems that are happening in our poor areas. I also feel it shows that no one is ever bound to the life that they have and that you can change, if you commit yourself and thrive to do better with your life.
September 6, 2024
The epitome of the saying ‘My life is a movie.�
An insightful look into the world of those often considered to be undeserving of any empathy or attempt at understanding.
An insightful look into the world of those often considered to be undeserving of any empathy or attempt at understanding.
June 6, 2016
Monster: The Autobiography of An L.A. Gang Member tells the story of Monster Kody Scott and his time growing up as an Eight Tray Gangster Crip in South Central Los Angeles. During his youth, Monster shows his loyalty to the set by shooting opposing rival gangs, (often times killing them) robbing civilians, committing grand theft auto and defending the hood (he grew up on Florence and Normandie) at all costs. Moreover, what makes his personal account hit home is the fact that he lays down the foundation of gangbanging and how the culture attributed to his own logic and theory of living in a highly dangerous working-class environment. In the chapter, “Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop� he writes, “At sixteen I felt twenty-four. Life meant very little to me. I felt that my purpose on earth was to bang. My mind-set was narrowed by the conditions and circumstances prevailing around me� (Shakur 102). He later says, “I recognized early that where I lived, we grew and died in dog years. Actually, some dogs outlived us� (Shakur 102). Over the next twelve years of his life, Monster continued to gangbang, although less drastically then before, as he slowly but surely began to shift his thinking towards black pride, unity and nationalism through the teachings of Islam. In between his many stints in prison and jail, he educates himself and comes across the literatures of Malcolm X, Frantz Fanon, Fidel Castro, and the Black Panther Party which solidifies his transition into the man he later became in Sanyika Shakur. What Shakur’s autobiography represents is an abomination of black people amongst one other. With the constant war and murders between the Eight Trays and Rollin� Sixties, we learn that the number one killer of Crips is actually not Bloods but Crips themselves from different neighborhoods with circumstances tying up into the grotesque affairs. It is because of this matter that when Shakur discovers his own perspective, he decides to remove himself from gang life and focuses his attention for the fight and struggle of all black people. This is shown in the book’s final page as he says, “Gangsterism continues. But more importantly, the struggle to eradicate the causes of gangsterism continues. And it is this struggle to which I am dedicated� (Shakur 377). After viewing the aftermath of his own wrongdoing and that of others, Shakur’s choice to fight against the repression of his own people shows that a 360 mental shift is possible but it must be done with the willpower that one uses when he chooses to indulge in any matter or action of his choosing. For someone who was once a gangster, how gangster is that?
February 11, 2014
I read this book when I was about 20 years old and in college as a part of an English class. I loved it. I've read several other's reviews on here from people who didn't like it, but this is why I did:
- As an autobiography from a gang member I didn't expect Ernest Hemingway style of writing. I think it brought realness to the book of who this person was, even though I'm sure this book went through a lot of editing to even get to this point.
- While it had realness, it had the thrill of fiction. I kept wondering, "Did all of this really happen??!!" I'm sure details are sketchy, as is any autobiography, or any story taken from one person's point of view. Yet, knowing enough about gang life (not firsthand, but from enough sources over the years) I could believe the accounts.
-It opened my eyes to a world that I knew of but tried my hardest to stay away from. I grew up in Detroit so gang life was introduced to my world in junior high. Certain classmates at age 12 and 13 were in gangs. One former classmate is currently STILL in prison (after being in and out of juvie) for murder and weapon charges. It's real.
-It peaked my interest. The history books don't tell you about this part of America. But after reading this book I delved deeper into it, going to the library and searching on line for more real-life stories. I researched the various gangs in America and how and why they were formed. The information I found lined up with what I read in Monster.
Though I do not condone the actions and killings of a gang member, I am fascinated by it at the same time. It's the reason why we watch so many TV and movie dramas about murders and other criminals. We are intrigued and we get a guilty thrill into learning more about WHY and HOW someone would do such terrible things, while secretly getting entertainment from it all.
So I leave it there. I loved this book and will one day read it again. I may not feel exactly the same way once I do, as I am 10 years older and mind is different now, but this book helped to get me to the mindset I have today.
- As an autobiography from a gang member I didn't expect Ernest Hemingway style of writing. I think it brought realness to the book of who this person was, even though I'm sure this book went through a lot of editing to even get to this point.
- While it had realness, it had the thrill of fiction. I kept wondering, "Did all of this really happen??!!" I'm sure details are sketchy, as is any autobiography, or any story taken from one person's point of view. Yet, knowing enough about gang life (not firsthand, but from enough sources over the years) I could believe the accounts.
-It opened my eyes to a world that I knew of but tried my hardest to stay away from. I grew up in Detroit so gang life was introduced to my world in junior high. Certain classmates at age 12 and 13 were in gangs. One former classmate is currently STILL in prison (after being in and out of juvie) for murder and weapon charges. It's real.
-It peaked my interest. The history books don't tell you about this part of America. But after reading this book I delved deeper into it, going to the library and searching on line for more real-life stories. I researched the various gangs in America and how and why they were formed. The information I found lined up with what I read in Monster.
Though I do not condone the actions and killings of a gang member, I am fascinated by it at the same time. It's the reason why we watch so many TV and movie dramas about murders and other criminals. We are intrigued and we get a guilty thrill into learning more about WHY and HOW someone would do such terrible things, while secretly getting entertainment from it all.
So I leave it there. I loved this book and will one day read it again. I may not feel exactly the same way once I do, as I am 10 years older and mind is different now, but this book helped to get me to the mindset I have today.
September 17, 2008
By far the biggest waste of time, ever.
Moral of the story: keep trading one "us against them" mentality for another until you find one that justifies your violence and stupidity. The end. Now you don't have to read it.
Moral of the story: keep trading one "us against them" mentality for another until you find one that justifies your violence and stupidity. The end. Now you don't have to read it.
September 20, 2012
I felt that this book was just ok.
Nothing wrong with the content or anything, it's just the content kind of turned me off. The life of a Crip is not something I ever want to be a part of, espically after reading this. All the senseless killing just to make a name for yourself. Hunting groups of people down "not from your block" just to kill them. It so senseless, but it's seen as "the way of life." And there is no remorse to be found within for all the "enemies" killed.
What really got me was when they tried to steal a van for a hit. The owner of the van fought them off, stole one of their guns and shot at them. This is a guy defending his stuff, his property, but to these gang members it was a dumb guy that stopped them, so he had to be hunted down and dealt with. Really? Someone disrespects you so you kill them, to stand up for your stuff, but this guy who did the samething is now a target.
Like I said senseless violence.
The author does come around in the last two chapters while in jail, again, but I'm not really sure it's a real change. Instead of "let's gangbang and kill each other" mentality, it's now just a "we are all black brothers, let's fight everyone else." Pretty much the same philosphy I would say just an expanded form of hatred.
I would be interested in an update to this book, seeing as it was written in 1993. I'm curious if the author has changed his mind on things in the last 19 years.
So give this a read if you want to feel a bit depressed about youth culture from the 80's and early 90's in South Central LA.
Nothing wrong with the content or anything, it's just the content kind of turned me off. The life of a Crip is not something I ever want to be a part of, espically after reading this. All the senseless killing just to make a name for yourself. Hunting groups of people down "not from your block" just to kill them. It so senseless, but it's seen as "the way of life." And there is no remorse to be found within for all the "enemies" killed.
What really got me was when they tried to steal a van for a hit. The owner of the van fought them off, stole one of their guns and shot at them. This is a guy defending his stuff, his property, but to these gang members it was a dumb guy that stopped them, so he had to be hunted down and dealt with. Really? Someone disrespects you so you kill them, to stand up for your stuff, but this guy who did the samething is now a target.
Like I said senseless violence.
The author does come around in the last two chapters while in jail, again, but I'm not really sure it's a real change. Instead of "let's gangbang and kill each other" mentality, it's now just a "we are all black brothers, let's fight everyone else." Pretty much the same philosphy I would say just an expanded form of hatred.
I would be interested in an update to this book, seeing as it was written in 1993. I'm curious if the author has changed his mind on things in the last 19 years.
So give this a read if you want to feel a bit depressed about youth culture from the 80's and early 90's in South Central LA.
January 2, 2014
I picked this book up because of the hype generated by my students. I have to say, that at first, I was disturbed yet facinated by Shakur's matter-of-fact account of shooting and killing people. I was constantly disturbed by his lack of remorse and by the excuses he makes for his actions. While I understand that life in poverty is difficult and that violence is prevalent, I know that it IS possible to rise above one's situation and be a GOOD person. I know, that especially in the 1970's, racism was present (and still is today), that not every young, African American male turned to drugs and gangs to feel accepted, so his excuses for murdering other African Americans are lost on me. I was waiting for that moment where he would condone the violence and take responsibility for HIS choices and actions. Read no further if you don't want spoilers.
For me, that moment of realization on his part, was so contrived that it was lost on me. While he vows not to kill any more African Americans, he is still in prison at the end of the book. After his alleged change to Islam, he details an incident in 1991 where he is arrested for assault and grand theft auto for beating a crack dealer who "refused to stop selling his product on my corner". He then ends his book by discussing the 1992 "rebellion" (riot) in LA. His closing remarks are that "we cannot contaminate [the children] with our feuds of madness, which are predicated on factors over which we have no control." First of all, again we have him not taking responsibility for the choices which he makes. Secondly, since 1992, he was arrested for assaulting Orlando Anderson, a person who was accused, but never charged, of murdering Tupac. In 1996, he was arrested for possession of marijuana. In March, 2007, he was put on the city's most wanted gang members list and was arrested for assaulting a friend in order to steal his car and served four years in prison. This doesn't sound like a man reformed. Despite his protests against gang violence and all the fame that he now has, he still is turning back to gangs and violence. I saw his turn to the Muslim religion as another way to enter into violence. While the Muslim religion primarily teaches peace, he focuses on militarism and extremism. He even says he doesn't want anything do to with the spiritual aspect of the religion; instead, he focuses on the readings of Malcolm X and other extremists. Shakur seems to fall easy prey to brainwashing and propaganda without questioning information quite easily. Shakur's inability to be independent and his need to be involved in a group shows his lack of security. I understand that white people can be racist, but calling all white people "Americans" and calling all cops "pigs" is also stereotypical. This was really disturbing to me that even after his supposed "change", he was still unable to see past race. I really was disturbed by this person and I wanted so badly for him to rise above his situation and be successful, but ultimately, his self-righteousness and his ignorant attitude gets in the way of him being a successful person.
For me, that moment of realization on his part, was so contrived that it was lost on me. While he vows not to kill any more African Americans, he is still in prison at the end of the book. After his alleged change to Islam, he details an incident in 1991 where he is arrested for assault and grand theft auto for beating a crack dealer who "refused to stop selling his product on my corner". He then ends his book by discussing the 1992 "rebellion" (riot) in LA. His closing remarks are that "we cannot contaminate [the children] with our feuds of madness, which are predicated on factors over which we have no control." First of all, again we have him not taking responsibility for the choices which he makes. Secondly, since 1992, he was arrested for assaulting Orlando Anderson, a person who was accused, but never charged, of murdering Tupac. In 1996, he was arrested for possession of marijuana. In March, 2007, he was put on the city's most wanted gang members list and was arrested for assaulting a friend in order to steal his car and served four years in prison. This doesn't sound like a man reformed. Despite his protests against gang violence and all the fame that he now has, he still is turning back to gangs and violence. I saw his turn to the Muslim religion as another way to enter into violence. While the Muslim religion primarily teaches peace, he focuses on militarism and extremism. He even says he doesn't want anything do to with the spiritual aspect of the religion; instead, he focuses on the readings of Malcolm X and other extremists. Shakur seems to fall easy prey to brainwashing and propaganda without questioning information quite easily. Shakur's inability to be independent and his need to be involved in a group shows his lack of security. I understand that white people can be racist, but calling all white people "Americans" and calling all cops "pigs" is also stereotypical. This was really disturbing to me that even after his supposed "change", he was still unable to see past race. I really was disturbed by this person and I wanted so badly for him to rise above his situation and be successful, but ultimately, his self-righteousness and his ignorant attitude gets in the way of him being a successful person.
September 5, 2011
Very hard to read; not just the subject matter either. Very stream of consciousness with out the conscience. He describes rolling up and shooting a bunch of other Crips with about as much passion as he describes getting dressed in the morning. One second we're here, on the corner, next there, in some other neighborhood. One second he's beefing with a person, next chapter they're riding in the same car together looking for someone else to smoke, as if the previous beef didn't even exist. There is no narrative flow, just mayhem and destruction and sitting around in prison. There is no trace of humility, regret or humanity coming from the author, no real "A-ha!!" moments either. Just a tough hard core reality that I had never heard about.
July 20, 2008
I'll be honest..I didn't really read this. I got up to page 46 and couldn't take it anymore. I've read articles, studies, and excerpts about gang life and all that. This was supposed to be an interesting account of one, maybe it was for back in the day. Where shall I begin? First of all the author spills into chapters, telling stories from different times throughout his gang activity. I never felt enlightened or opened to the "gang mentality", nor did he explain the technical aspects of the gang. It's as if he thinks he's special for being in a gang and wants you, as the spectator, to comment in admiration of the gang life. Not to undermine the circumstances of his life, but he comes off as bragadocious. Furthermore it's clear that at some point in his life, he learned "big" vocabulary words and tries to come off as eloquent as he constantly uses "overstood" in place of "understood". Seriously?! Really. For the next day, instead of saying understood or understand, say overstood and see how that comes across to the general public. What made me officially decide to end this reading venture is when he used "thrice" to describe shooting someone 3 times. Done. Officially. I don't even know how this book got in my library. Hopefully, the used bookstore will trade it with me or something. Unbearable.
January 7, 2015
Well, that escalated quickly!
Author Sanyika Shakur a/k/a Monster Kody Scott goes from graduating the sixth grade to committing multiple homicides in this book's first few paragraphs -- not pages, mind you, paragraphs!
And it's just downhill from there. Over the course of the next few chapters, he racks up a body count that would be implausible in a damn Terminator movie. You wonder how he can admit to so many killings with minimal concern for being arrested for them.
Granted, there's the fact that he's been in and out of jail -- and more in than out -- since he was not quite an adult. The second half or so of this book, which isn't as interesting as the first half (which is downright riveting) takes place in the joint.
Because this is a book, and because it's written by a guy who's spent a significant amount of time in the pokey (of course the author uses the word "overstand" every few sentences), there's a redemption story arc involving some hate group-esque black nationalist organization.
It doesn't quite ring true, and a quick consultation with the Google reveals that the author has only continued to commit carjackings and what have you. I'm hesitant to criticize this book, lest he knows how to use the Internets. It's an amazing book though anyway.
Author Sanyika Shakur a/k/a Monster Kody Scott goes from graduating the sixth grade to committing multiple homicides in this book's first few paragraphs -- not pages, mind you, paragraphs!
And it's just downhill from there. Over the course of the next few chapters, he racks up a body count that would be implausible in a damn Terminator movie. You wonder how he can admit to so many killings with minimal concern for being arrested for them.
Granted, there's the fact that he's been in and out of jail -- and more in than out -- since he was not quite an adult. The second half or so of this book, which isn't as interesting as the first half (which is downright riveting) takes place in the joint.
Because this is a book, and because it's written by a guy who's spent a significant amount of time in the pokey (of course the author uses the word "overstand" every few sentences), there's a redemption story arc involving some hate group-esque black nationalist organization.
It doesn't quite ring true, and a quick consultation with the Google reveals that the author has only continued to commit carjackings and what have you. I'm hesitant to criticize this book, lest he knows how to use the Internets. It's an amazing book though anyway.
March 9, 2008
Simply put, a very haunting tale of L.A. ganglife.
July 23, 2012
I'm still not sure I've articulated a coherent opinion of this, but I can tell you I didn't like it. Certainly it is glimpse of a world that most people have never and will never see. And unlike many memoirs written by non-authors, it is not poorly written (the vast number of characters whose names you'll never remember not withstanding). But I just found myself feeling angrier and angrier with Kody/Monster/Sanyika for his total failure to grasp the big picture and his role in it, whether as a gangbanger or a freedom fighter. He seems to see no irony in deploring the gangs' grip on South Central LA while he himself is only making the situation worse. And he fundamentally misses the difference between "power over" and "power to"--as seen nowhere more than in his heartless dismissal of the former gang member who is beaten to a pulp in his jail cell while he hardly lifts a finger to stop it. What he sees as weakness is principled nonviolent resistance straight out of Gandhi and King--and it passes unnoticed under Kody's love affair with violence.
Also (while I'm really getting worked up here), where is the there here? Where is the thoughtful introspection on how Kody ended up joining a gang at 11? It's not hard to imagine that if you put a gun in the hands of a child who can, developmentally, barely tell the difference between video games and reality, he'll shoot someone without a second though. What's hard to imagine is growing up in a neighborhood where guns and drugs are readily available to anyone who goes looking for them (and even many who don't). I'd like to hear what Kody thinks about WHY that is...but he never says. I'd also like to hear what Kody thinks about what to do about it, indeed I hung in for the entire book waiting for that...but he never says that, either. Why not? Because he's still proud of his gangbanging, despite his apparent conversion. I'm not sure I believe he's looking for solutions, nevermind ready to articulate them.
Also (while I'm really getting worked up here), where is the there here? Where is the thoughtful introspection on how Kody ended up joining a gang at 11? It's not hard to imagine that if you put a gun in the hands of a child who can, developmentally, barely tell the difference between video games and reality, he'll shoot someone without a second though. What's hard to imagine is growing up in a neighborhood where guns and drugs are readily available to anyone who goes looking for them (and even many who don't). I'd like to hear what Kody thinks about WHY that is...but he never says. I'd also like to hear what Kody thinks about what to do about it, indeed I hung in for the entire book waiting for that...but he never says that, either. Why not? Because he's still proud of his gangbanging, despite his apparent conversion. I'm not sure I believe he's looking for solutions, nevermind ready to articulate them.
April 9, 2016
This review and more can be found at A Reader's Diary!
I was pleasantly surprised when my teacher assigned this as one of our required readings. Monster Kody Scott was initiated into the Crips at age 11. By age 16 his body count had to be well over 50. By 18, he was in and out of courts, juvenile halls, and eventually prisons. This autobiography is a tell all on gang violence, but more importantly, black on black violence. Monster was an Eight Tray Gangster, he went on to become an O.G. which could quite possibly be the highest honor in the gang world. But in the real world, what did that mean for his daughter? The violence all around the 'hood was too much to ignore. Violence is met with violence. If they were on enemy territory, you can expect bullets to be flying. If enemies came into their territory, people were going to be put down. These children, and I say children because that's what they were, were going out to find people to kill. They were going out to steal weapons, pick fights, and stake out the enemies! They were literally going out LOOKING for trouble! Monster finally realized the absurdity of gang life while he was in prison. He began attending Muslim services and learning of oppression. He became close friends with Muhammad who began teaching him Kiswahili and the ways to fight oppression without violence. Not once did Muhammad tell Monster to stop banging, just to stop the violence within his own set. Monster realized you cannot make peace with your enemies if there is not peace within your set. This change took time, effort, and a lot of explaining to the set.
Upon release from San Quentin, Monster Kody Scott- O.G. Gang Banger became Sanyika Shakur- Revolutionary.
I was pleasantly surprised when my teacher assigned this as one of our required readings. Monster Kody Scott was initiated into the Crips at age 11. By age 16 his body count had to be well over 50. By 18, he was in and out of courts, juvenile halls, and eventually prisons. This autobiography is a tell all on gang violence, but more importantly, black on black violence. Monster was an Eight Tray Gangster, he went on to become an O.G. which could quite possibly be the highest honor in the gang world. But in the real world, what did that mean for his daughter? The violence all around the 'hood was too much to ignore. Violence is met with violence. If they were on enemy territory, you can expect bullets to be flying. If enemies came into their territory, people were going to be put down. These children, and I say children because that's what they were, were going out to find people to kill. They were going out to steal weapons, pick fights, and stake out the enemies! They were literally going out LOOKING for trouble! Monster finally realized the absurdity of gang life while he was in prison. He began attending Muslim services and learning of oppression. He became close friends with Muhammad who began teaching him Kiswahili and the ways to fight oppression without violence. Not once did Muhammad tell Monster to stop banging, just to stop the violence within his own set. Monster realized you cannot make peace with your enemies if there is not peace within your set. This change took time, effort, and a lot of explaining to the set.
Upon release from San Quentin, Monster Kody Scott- O.G. Gang Banger became Sanyika Shakur- Revolutionary.
April 14, 2021
This book was brutal to read, but at the same time, so compelling that I could barely put it down. I am not normally a nonfiction reader, but I saw this on a list of books that were must reads and decided to give it a try. The brutality that was experience by Sanyika was heart wrenching and yet, he presented the weird and twisted logic that accompanied all of his decisions. His story is one of hope because he was able to get out, but so many of his brothers and sisters weren't able to.. Plus knowing that this is actual life for many who live in areas where gangs are present made this more important.
What got me was the way he was treated by guards and cops. Especially in light of what has been happening in recent news with cops and the way they are abusing their power makes this book relevant RIGHT NOW even though it was written in 1993. Our system hasn't changed; it has been broken forever and it needs to be changed. This is a must read for all.
What got me was the way he was treated by guards and cops. Especially in light of what has been happening in recent news with cops and the way they are abusing their power makes this book relevant RIGHT NOW even though it was written in 1993. Our system hasn't changed; it has been broken forever and it needs to be changed. This is a must read for all.
January 28, 2015
For the first two-thirds of this book I literally couldn't put it down. The matter-of-fact, neutral, emotion-less way that Kody tells of the harrowing cold-blooded acts he committed is compelling and makes you want to read more. Then you get sick of it. Then it's no longer fascinating and you realize *semi-spoiler* Kody, ahem, "Sanyika", doesn't give a crap about anything he did. You think maybe he's coming to redemption towards the end, but just because he finds religion he doesn't accept who he is or what he's done, other than that "it's done". Oh, and that he's a monster. You actually realize he's bragging a bit. Look up some of the news articles from his crimes if you want the non-emotionless version of what he did (and this is still simply a news article) and you begin to really hate him. You'll struggle through the last third of this book.
July 2, 2015
Maybe because as a Black woman in the heart of all the racial tension and systemic, institutionalized micro aggressions of 2015, this book touches me in an indescribable way. It feels like so much of the struggles Sanyika has gone through are present in the eyes of so many brown youth today. That is a chilling fact.
The book escalates quickly. While the brutality of the book is at the forefront, much of Monster showcases the spectrum of life in the hood. I'm proud of his willingness to share all the corners of that reality: the good, the bad, the deadly, and the ugly.
The book escalates quickly. While the brutality of the book is at the forefront, much of Monster showcases the spectrum of life in the hood. I'm proud of his willingness to share all the corners of that reality: the good, the bad, the deadly, and the ugly.
July 22, 2008
I have yet to join a gand, hehe, but this seems like a good portrayal of what the life would be like. I did like that he didn't seem to be glorifying the gang life but at the same time the few racist remarks included bothered me. Probably what bothered me most of all was his likening the gang to the army and military, likening a drive-by shooting to a war, things like that. Overall it was a good book with a good story, good ending, good lessons, and good writing.
March 1, 2015
This book was a very interesting book and shows how gang life really is. I liked this book because it shows how he transitioned from a gang member into a revolutionist. I would like to read the other books that he has written also.
March 29, 2019
While an interesting read for sure, it's also a frustrating one. There are a couple reasons:
1) At no point does Sanyika/Monster show any remorse for anything he did, not even after he was supposedly "reformed." His crimes are relayed emotionlessly and robotically. In fact after researching him a bit on the side, it seems like he actually understated many of his attacks. He says that he earned the nickname "Monster" from his aggression in gang conflicts. In reality, he earned this nickname from brutally beating an elderly man to the point of coma and permanent disfigurement during a robbery.
2) Monster's "reformation" is just a movement from one type of extremist us vs them to another. He's drawn to an Islamic mentor not out of any spirituality, but because of how militant and segregated the mentor is. Monster doesn't want to stop gang violence because of the people getting hurt. He wants to stop gang violence because he thinks blacks should be fighting against whites instead of among each other. By the end of his tale, Monster is just as aggressive and militant as before. Instead of hating other Crip sets, he just hates everyone who isn't black.
3) Monster almost exclusively blames everyone but himself for his problems. He blames his absent father, he blames cops, he blames whites, he blames where he lives. He believes that because he was a black child born in LA, he had no other choice but to join a gang.
4) Monster repeatedly portrays himself as a victim in situations where it is clear he is provoking people or committing a crime or some other sort of disobedience. He relates an incident where he was treated rudely by a cop during a traffic stop, only to casually mention he was in violation of his parole at the time. He complains about how he is treated in prison, but threatens guards, engages in fights and brutal bullying (such as making a man drink piss and beating him until his eye is permanently ruined) shortly after arrival. He complains about the cops being on his back, but is openly and famously involved in gangs and can't seem to go a month without committing a crime on the outside. He complains about being arrested when he beats a man and steals his car because he was selling drugs on Monster's street. But muh racism.
5) He's a bigot. Throughout the book, Monster exclusively refers to whites as "Americans" and cops as "pigs." Everyone who is not African American is the enemy. By aligning himself with the New Afrikan movement, he supports payment of reparations and ownership of the southeastern US being transferred to a black nationalist state.
6) He believes gangs and gang violence are the fault of white people. This despite the fact that by his own account, no white person ever made him sign up with the Crips or beat people senseless or engage in turf warfare. He closes out the book by saying that the chaos among gangs in LA is due to circumstances outside of the black community's control. lol no, you don't get to dust your hands off and say that the black on black violence is just white people's fault, that it's all just because of oppression that you can't do anything about.
7) Monster tries to write like he's intelligent, but apart from knowing some large words it's very clear that he is not an intelligent person, and is easily mislead and brainwashed by whatever power/hierarchy system is most appealing to him. First it was gangs, and he was convinced banging was the only option for him and that the rules of the streets are all that matter. He was an avid recruiter and was by far the most zealous in his set. Once he got to prison and some things happened that made him realize that gang life is not bulletproof, he became drawn to black nationalism. He was mentored by a Muslim who advocated violence and preached that whites were mutant offshoots of the true humans, blacks. Monster believed that hue = color, and colored = black, so human must mean black man, the original man. He believed that having melanin gave him extrasensory abilities. Monster is ignorant and easily mislead, very gullible.
So despite the fascinating glimpse of gang life and the interesting events laid out, I found this an unsatisfying read because the narrator is an unrepentant POS who believes he is a near-blameless victim and 100% a product of circumstance.
By the way, since publishing this book, Sanyika almost entirely returned to his previous life of crime. He went on the run for violating parole, broke into a home and assaulted a man, stole a car, and assaulted someone else. He's currently back in prison, and for all I care he can rot there.
1) At no point does Sanyika/Monster show any remorse for anything he did, not even after he was supposedly "reformed." His crimes are relayed emotionlessly and robotically. In fact after researching him a bit on the side, it seems like he actually understated many of his attacks. He says that he earned the nickname "Monster" from his aggression in gang conflicts. In reality, he earned this nickname from brutally beating an elderly man to the point of coma and permanent disfigurement during a robbery.
2) Monster's "reformation" is just a movement from one type of extremist us vs them to another. He's drawn to an Islamic mentor not out of any spirituality, but because of how militant and segregated the mentor is. Monster doesn't want to stop gang violence because of the people getting hurt. He wants to stop gang violence because he thinks blacks should be fighting against whites instead of among each other. By the end of his tale, Monster is just as aggressive and militant as before. Instead of hating other Crip sets, he just hates everyone who isn't black.
3) Monster almost exclusively blames everyone but himself for his problems. He blames his absent father, he blames cops, he blames whites, he blames where he lives. He believes that because he was a black child born in LA, he had no other choice but to join a gang.
4) Monster repeatedly portrays himself as a victim in situations where it is clear he is provoking people or committing a crime or some other sort of disobedience. He relates an incident where he was treated rudely by a cop during a traffic stop, only to casually mention he was in violation of his parole at the time. He complains about how he is treated in prison, but threatens guards, engages in fights and brutal bullying (such as making a man drink piss and beating him until his eye is permanently ruined) shortly after arrival. He complains about the cops being on his back, but is openly and famously involved in gangs and can't seem to go a month without committing a crime on the outside. He complains about being arrested when he beats a man and steals his car because he was selling drugs on Monster's street. But muh racism.
5) He's a bigot. Throughout the book, Monster exclusively refers to whites as "Americans" and cops as "pigs." Everyone who is not African American is the enemy. By aligning himself with the New Afrikan movement, he supports payment of reparations and ownership of the southeastern US being transferred to a black nationalist state.
6) He believes gangs and gang violence are the fault of white people. This despite the fact that by his own account, no white person ever made him sign up with the Crips or beat people senseless or engage in turf warfare. He closes out the book by saying that the chaos among gangs in LA is due to circumstances outside of the black community's control. lol no, you don't get to dust your hands off and say that the black on black violence is just white people's fault, that it's all just because of oppression that you can't do anything about.
7) Monster tries to write like he's intelligent, but apart from knowing some large words it's very clear that he is not an intelligent person, and is easily mislead and brainwashed by whatever power/hierarchy system is most appealing to him. First it was gangs, and he was convinced banging was the only option for him and that the rules of the streets are all that matter. He was an avid recruiter and was by far the most zealous in his set. Once he got to prison and some things happened that made him realize that gang life is not bulletproof, he became drawn to black nationalism. He was mentored by a Muslim who advocated violence and preached that whites were mutant offshoots of the true humans, blacks. Monster believed that hue = color, and colored = black, so human must mean black man, the original man. He believed that having melanin gave him extrasensory abilities. Monster is ignorant and easily mislead, very gullible.
So despite the fascinating glimpse of gang life and the interesting events laid out, I found this an unsatisfying read because the narrator is an unrepentant POS who believes he is a near-blameless victim and 100% a product of circumstance.
By the way, since publishing this book, Sanyika almost entirely returned to his previous life of crime. He went on the run for violating parole, broke into a home and assaulted a man, stole a car, and assaulted someone else. He's currently back in prison, and for all I care he can rot there.
August 13, 2017
The author does a great job of carrying the reader through his mindset at the different stages of his life. While it can be read that the author has no compassion, it should be remembered that he is portraying the thinking of a young gangster at that time. He is trying to give the reader a “glimpse at South Central from ‘his� side of the gun, street, fence, and wall,� which I think he does very well. To incorporate the reflections and realizations he acquired at an older age would have depleted the emotional void in which he acted in his younger days.
While this book suggests there is a cause for the gang violence, I don’t believe it effectively answers the question as to what that is. Perhaps it’s because the answer is too complex. Maybe it’s not even an answer, but a cycle. Like the chicken and egg, what comes first? Obviously we know slavery and suppression of minorities, specifically blacks, came before this gang violence, but at what point does the violence of gangs assume responsibility for the reaction it elicits? At the rate of violence committed in the spirit of gang alliance, why wouldn’t the police force treat them with distrust and violent authority? What the gang members do to each other, “dropping many bodies� (p.14) pales the disrespect they perceive from the police force. In a world where “the only language Fat Rat knew or respected or could be persuaded by was violence. Everything else was for the weak. Action and more action-anything else pales in comparison.� (p.295) then what is different in how some of the police act? Isn’t it the same behavior?... The same “language?� Obviously the police should act ethically as they are paid “protectors.� But the gang world is not exactly an ethical world. It seems that the difference with the police behavior and why it is maddening to the gangs may also be that they cannot retaliate on the police like they can a gang enemy.
“F*&^ the pigs. I was so full of hatred that I could have been ordered to kill a pig-or anybody-and not thought twice about it.� (p.327)
When reading his words and memoir there seemed to be a theme of “It’s ok if I do it, but don’t do it to me.� He states/asks, “I wanted to know why “white folks� hated us so much, were so afraid of us.� (p.328) Well maybe because “Bangin� aint no part-time thang, it’s full-time, it’s a career. It’s being� down when ain’t nobody else down with you. It’s getting� caught and not tellin�. Killin� and not caring, and dyin� without fear. It’s love for your set and hate for the enemy.� (p.12) It’s a world where, “The underlying factor that usually got you killed was the principle. The principle is respect, a linchpin critical to relations between all people, but magnified by thirty in the ghettos and slums across America.� (p.102) It’s where a gangster says, “I didn’t care one way or another about living or dying-and I cared less than that about killing someone.� (p.103)
If we allow ourselves to move beyond blame or responsibility, it seems there is a consensus on both sides that in the absence of a protective enforcing presence, a community will protect and enforce itself. This was a communicated theme in Ghettoside: A True Story of Murder in America by Jill Leovy and is stated in this book.
“Charges stemmed from a healthy beating I had given a stubborn crack dealer who had refused to stop selling his product on my corner... I make no excused for this, and I have no regrets. When the police and other government agencies don’t seem to care about what is going on in our communities, then those of us who live in them must take responsibility for their protection and maintenance.� (p.379)
In addition to giving us insight into the life of a gangster, Sanyika Shakur teaches us that “Per year, the gangs in South Central recruit more people than the four branches of the U.S. Armed Forces do. Crack dealers employ more people in South Central than AT&T, IBM, and Xerox combined. And South Central is under more aerial surveillance than Belfast, Ireland. Everyone is armed, frustrated, suppressed, and on the brink of explosion. (p.70) He states, “For a youth with no other hope in a system that excludes them, the gang becomes their corporation, college, religion, and life.� (p.118) “Bangers� have been victimized at some point in their lives and refused to let it continue � respond with the same violence they receive, if not something more lethal.� (p.100)
Does violence really need to be the answer? It is an honest and very real question�
While this book suggests there is a cause for the gang violence, I don’t believe it effectively answers the question as to what that is. Perhaps it’s because the answer is too complex. Maybe it’s not even an answer, but a cycle. Like the chicken and egg, what comes first? Obviously we know slavery and suppression of minorities, specifically blacks, came before this gang violence, but at what point does the violence of gangs assume responsibility for the reaction it elicits? At the rate of violence committed in the spirit of gang alliance, why wouldn’t the police force treat them with distrust and violent authority? What the gang members do to each other, “dropping many bodies� (p.14) pales the disrespect they perceive from the police force. In a world where “the only language Fat Rat knew or respected or could be persuaded by was violence. Everything else was for the weak. Action and more action-anything else pales in comparison.� (p.295) then what is different in how some of the police act? Isn’t it the same behavior?... The same “language?� Obviously the police should act ethically as they are paid “protectors.� But the gang world is not exactly an ethical world. It seems that the difference with the police behavior and why it is maddening to the gangs may also be that they cannot retaliate on the police like they can a gang enemy.
“F*&^ the pigs. I was so full of hatred that I could have been ordered to kill a pig-or anybody-and not thought twice about it.� (p.327)
When reading his words and memoir there seemed to be a theme of “It’s ok if I do it, but don’t do it to me.� He states/asks, “I wanted to know why “white folks� hated us so much, were so afraid of us.� (p.328) Well maybe because “Bangin� aint no part-time thang, it’s full-time, it’s a career. It’s being� down when ain’t nobody else down with you. It’s getting� caught and not tellin�. Killin� and not caring, and dyin� without fear. It’s love for your set and hate for the enemy.� (p.12) It’s a world where, “The underlying factor that usually got you killed was the principle. The principle is respect, a linchpin critical to relations between all people, but magnified by thirty in the ghettos and slums across America.� (p.102) It’s where a gangster says, “I didn’t care one way or another about living or dying-and I cared less than that about killing someone.� (p.103)
If we allow ourselves to move beyond blame or responsibility, it seems there is a consensus on both sides that in the absence of a protective enforcing presence, a community will protect and enforce itself. This was a communicated theme in Ghettoside: A True Story of Murder in America by Jill Leovy and is stated in this book.
“Charges stemmed from a healthy beating I had given a stubborn crack dealer who had refused to stop selling his product on my corner... I make no excused for this, and I have no regrets. When the police and other government agencies don’t seem to care about what is going on in our communities, then those of us who live in them must take responsibility for their protection and maintenance.� (p.379)
In addition to giving us insight into the life of a gangster, Sanyika Shakur teaches us that “Per year, the gangs in South Central recruit more people than the four branches of the U.S. Armed Forces do. Crack dealers employ more people in South Central than AT&T, IBM, and Xerox combined. And South Central is under more aerial surveillance than Belfast, Ireland. Everyone is armed, frustrated, suppressed, and on the brink of explosion. (p.70) He states, “For a youth with no other hope in a system that excludes them, the gang becomes their corporation, college, religion, and life.� (p.118) “Bangers� have been victimized at some point in their lives and refused to let it continue � respond with the same violence they receive, if not something more lethal.� (p.100)
Does violence really need to be the answer? It is an honest and very real question�
December 7, 2014
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
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
August 3, 2010
The number of stars don't accurately capture my feelings about this book. Somehow, It was "OK", or "I liked it". My three stars represent that Monster is a disturbing read, that kept me engaged. Monster aka Kody aka Sanyika writes a gripping, account of his gangster life. He comes across as a cold-blooded killer.. a Monster without remorse. By the end of the book, he claims to have renounced his former gang life, but he retains a militant, hostile attitude towards authority, law enforcement, and whites (Americans). According to an interview in 1993, he stated that the book, in an effort to avoid death row,
"It's not one tenth of my life".
"I think the main question I'm going to get is about remorse: Do I feel guilty?" he says. "I think I feel about as guilty as a Viet Cong shooting a Marine. I feel remorse that it was my people. But other than that, no. I don't feel guilty for the individual people I pushed out." (Kody Scott)
When the book was published, he was serving a sentence in Pelican Bay for robbery. He ended up serving five years. In 2007, he had made it on the LAPD's top ten most wanted list, and was arrested, and plead "no contest" to carjacking and robbery charges. He is currently serving a six year sentence for that.
Ultimately, I would recommend Monster as worth reading. This book provides a harsh look at the destructive nature of a gang lifestyle that shows no signs of abating.
September 26, 2011
Re-reading this makes for a depressing experience. The tale is unremittingly grim, with a constant barrage of mindless violence, given a validity for it being the way things happen in the 'hood.
The book gives little insight into the real reason for killing your fellow man in virtually the same situation. It's justified 'cause that's the way it's always been. Civil Rights leaders and stalwarts must be spinning in their graves.
Even more sad is the way the author radically changes his viewpoint, not through self realisation, but by someone else brainwashing him, and giving him a different "target" to hate.
The really shocking part for me was the absolution of responsibility by the parents in the book, who witness their children killing other people's children and do nothing about it.
Of course, being separated by a figurative million miles from the site of all this gives me little right to comment, but even so, it's depressing stuff.
In terms of the writing the author's lack of education shines through, but it certainly feels real, even if it's a reality I wish never existed.
The book gives little insight into the real reason for killing your fellow man in virtually the same situation. It's justified 'cause that's the way it's always been. Civil Rights leaders and stalwarts must be spinning in their graves.
Even more sad is the way the author radically changes his viewpoint, not through self realisation, but by someone else brainwashing him, and giving him a different "target" to hate.
The really shocking part for me was the absolution of responsibility by the parents in the book, who witness their children killing other people's children and do nothing about it.
Of course, being separated by a figurative million miles from the site of all this gives me little right to comment, but even so, it's depressing stuff.
In terms of the writing the author's lack of education shines through, but it certainly feels real, even if it's a reality I wish never existed.
October 3, 2014
This book lets the reader get an insight to life as a gang member, and what exactly there motive is for. The main character, Monster Kody Scott (the author), is telling his young life as a gang member. Kody started at only 11, almost doomed from the start, he was in and out of juvenile detentions, shot, and even went to jail in maximum security. Kody Scott was a part of a LA group of crips called the North Side Eight Tray Gangsters. Although Kody brought it upon himself, for being involved in many criminal acts. He had an unfair advantage, he had lost a basic human right of equality as a child, because he was black and from the hood he knew and everyone else knew he stood no chance. He couldn't go to a nice school his mom wanted to send him to , because on the way there he was almost shot while in the school bud, and he was one of the few black boys and looked at funny. People discriminated against Kody, causing him to follow in the only path he knew how to without getting killed, killing right back in return. This book is an amazing way to get on a different level, than media exploits. Gives you a different perspective on gangs and their motives.
August 7, 2015
Before reading this book I was under the assumption that people choose to participate in gangs. After reading this book I know that it is way more complicated. Sanyika does a fantastic job explaining, not justifying, why gang life in South Central is simply a part of life: "My participation came as second nature. To be in a gang in South Central when I joined- and it is still the case today- is the equivalent of growing up in Grosse Pointe, Michigan, and going to college: everyone does it."
Sanyika transforms himself from banger to revolutionist. His descriptions were extremely disturbing, but introspective and honest.
Here is a list of what I took away from the book:
-Gang life is a symptom of oppression. The Crips were founded in 1969- in the midst of the civil rights movement. Gangs were created to instill a sense of stability within the black community. "Black-on-black violence is a result of white-on-black violence."
-The only effective way to change a culture is from within.
-No matter what the circumstances are, individuals have the power to transform.
-What is your place as an individual in society?
Sanyika transforms himself from banger to revolutionist. His descriptions were extremely disturbing, but introspective and honest.
Here is a list of what I took away from the book:
-Gang life is a symptom of oppression. The Crips were founded in 1969- in the midst of the civil rights movement. Gangs were created to instill a sense of stability within the black community. "Black-on-black violence is a result of white-on-black violence."
-The only effective way to change a culture is from within.
-No matter what the circumstances are, individuals have the power to transform.
-What is your place as an individual in society?
December 6, 2023
Monsta Kody fully embraced the gangbanger lifestyle from an early age, committing his first homocide at the age of 11. The first 1/2 of this book details the high adrenaline, brutal, murderous lifestyle of a full time thug. He casually describes killing and beating countless people. Shakur is intelligent, thoughtful, and knows how to tell a good story. As detestable as many of the acts he describes are, the narrative is frequently riveting and has the grit of authenticity. The second 1/2 of the book finds Kody in the prison system and is much slower reading. Lots of prison politicking and power struggles behind bars. There is also a prison rape scene that goes on for pages that is nauseating in its attention to detail. The tone of 'Monster' is more of a memoir than an apology or cautionary tale. However I can't see this book actually inspiring anybody to take up the lifestyle; ultimately this a relentlessly depressing and ugly book. A good read for those interested in educating themselves about the subculture of street gangsters' lifestyle and mentality.
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