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3.66 AVERAGE
3.66 AVERAGE
informative
fast-paced
Illuminating about the gang movement in the 20th century. Although I didn't particularly enjoy the process of reading this, I think I learned a lot.
Extra star because of the primary source elements.
Extra star because of the primary source elements.
The only reason this is only getting a 4 instead of a 5 is that the text itself was written in a way that was hard to read at times which I don't love. Otherwise, I loved this historical memoir and learned so much from this era in the Bronx. I think this is a story that most people should read. Funny enough, I was thinking about the movie The Warriors the whole time, and realized at the end that the movie was based on this interaction! So good. Please read.
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
Solid read on the gang truce in 70s NYC and the man behind it.
Black and white ink drawings tell the real-life story of Benjy Melendez, gang leader in 1971 Bronx, who led the groundbreaking Hoe Ave. peace meeting of all the local gangs, ended gang warfare, and led to the development of hip hop (which is a very simplified summary of it). He later discovered his hidden Jewish roots, having only known his parents were Puerto Rican. Includes black and white photos of the real Benjy, and an author's note with more information.
informative
medium-paced
The history related in this book is fascinating, and the bits about religion had some totally new information for me. But while I liked the style of the art, the book's format was small enough that I felt like I couldn't make out the detail very well. I'm definitely planning to watch some of the documentaries mentioned, and I really appreciated the extra resources listed at the end. Definitely worth a read, just not my favorite layout.
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced