Sudhir Alladi Venkatesh

William B Ransford Professor of Sociology Sudhir 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

A Rogue Sociologist Takes to the Streets

Gang Leader for a Day

Vivid and fascinating! Balances great storytelling with informative and thoughtful observations of Chicago's urban poverty, the housing projects, the gang economy, etc. Obviously a bit dated, but still 100% worth reading. 

Ella

Timeo Williams

Excellent. Sudhir, leaves the tall stairs of academia and plunges into the inner city of Chicago, IL. There he meets a gang leader, and asks to stay and understand more about the gang, the Black Kings. 

Throughout his journey, Sudhir has to deal with many unexpected situations that arise, and with no real good solution. He interviews several of the people in the projects and uncovers the complexity of the drug trade, police involvement, high school dropouts, and crime.

Sudhir Venkatesh

Sudhir Venkatesh the young sociologist who became famous in Freakonomics (Why do drug dealers still live with their moms?) describes his time living with the gangs on the Southside of Chicago and answers another question: what's it like to live in hell? In the Robert Taylor Homes projects on Chicago's South Side, Sudhir befriends J.T., a gang leader for the Black Kings. As he slowly gains J.T.'s trust, one day, in order to convince Sudhir of his own CEO-like qualities, J.T. makes him leader of the gang... Why does J.T. make his henchmen, the 'shorties', stay in school? What is the difference between a 'regular' hustler and a 'hype' - and is Peanut telling him the truth about which she is? And, when the FBI finally starts cracking down on the Black Kings, is it time to get out - or is it too late?

Lukas Robertson

Luca Masters

Daniel Rojkind

Drew Spartz

Emily Haniotis

Michelle Li

Jan Miczaika

Amanda Gilson

Nish Bhat

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-selling trade.

Gang Leader for a Day A Rogue Sociologist Takes to the Streets

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