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

Sanyika Shakur

Dec 2007 · Grove/Atlantic, Inc.

About this eBook

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.

Ratings and reviews

I first read this book in '93. During the Golden era of gangsta rap, so being a fan this book really grabbed my interest. Great look into the real life of Gang members. And shows it's more than just Smokin weed, drinking 40s, hanging with the homies and mackin hoes. Brings to light the poverty, lack of parental guidance, the paranoia, incarceration, and the death of friends in the life of a "G".

I can't believe this book was written in or before 93?, As I seen in the reviews here. I read this in Seg. 23 hr lock down while I was being punished for escaping I did over 6 months straight in the hole that time. That was 02. This book passed so much time for me. I tried to limit myself to 1 chapter per day. I know forsure I had to of cheated a few times. Ive never ever read a book more than 1 time, and I don't know exactly how many times I read that thing but it was also a lot. By far the best Autobiography ever written.

This gave a good insight into the LA bloods and crip war. It's hard to believe people live under these conditions but its true. It make me remember my old neigborhood which was all black before others moved in.