# Gang Leader for a Day

Canonical: https://www.bookquiver.com/sudhir-venkatesh/gang-leader-for-a-day/9780141920641

![Gang Leader for a Day](https://quivercdn.com/covers/penguin/sudhir-venkatesh/gang-leader-for-a-day_978-01-4192-064-1.jpg?v=2026-04-23%2022%3A21%3A05)

- Book: [Gang Leader for a Day](https://www.bookquiver.com/sudhir-venkatesh/gang-leader-for-a-day) ([Gang Leader for a Day.md](https://www.bookquiver.com/sudhir-venkatesh/gang-leader-for-a-day.md))
- Authors: [Sudhir Venkatesh](https://www.bookquiver.com/sudhir-venkatesh)
- Publisher: Penguin
- Medium: ebook
- ISBN: 978-01-4192-064-1
- Published: 2009-02-05
- Language: en_GB
- Binding: E-book

## Description

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?