Gang Leader for a Day: A Rogue Sociologist Takes to the Streets
by Sudhir Venkatesh
Gang Leader for a Day: A Rogue Sociologist Takes to the Streets by Sudhir Venkatesh holds a highly rated rating of 4.01 out of 5, based on 15.4K reader ratings. First published in 2008. The book spans 302 pages.
About Gang Leader for a Day: A Rogue Sociologist Takes to the Streets
The story of the young sociologist who studied a Chicago crack-dealing gang from the inside captured the world's attention when it was first described in Freakonomics. Gang Leader for a Day is the fascinating full story of how Sudhir Venkatesh managed to gain entrée into the gang, what he learned, and how his method revolutionized the academic establishment. When Venkatesh walked into an abandoned building in one of Chicago's most notorious housing projects, he was looking for people to take a multiple-choice survey on urban poverty. A first-year grad student, he would befriend a gang leader named JT and spend the better part of the next decade inside the projects under JT's protection, documenting what he saw there. Over the next seven years, Venkatesh observed JT and the rest of the gang as they operated their crack selling business, conducted PR within their community, and rose up or fell within the ranks of the gang's complex organizational structure. Gang Leader for a Day is an inside view into the morally ambiguous, highly intricate, often corrupt struggle to survive in an urban war zone. It is also the story of a complicated friendship between two young and ambitious men, a universe apart.
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Author | Sudhir Venkatesh |
| Published | 2008 |
| Pages | 302 |
| Kindle Price | $13.99 |
| Genres | Non-Fiction, Biography & Memoir, Mystery & Thriller, Biography & Memoir, Psychology |
| Average Rating | 4.01 / 5.00 |
| Total Ratings | 15,387 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What genre is Gang Leader for a Day: A Rogue Sociologist Takes to the Streets?
Gang Leader for a Day: A Rogue Sociologist Takes to the Streets is categorized as Non-Fiction, Biography & Memoir, Mystery & Thriller, Biography & Memoir. Its primary genre classification is Biography & Memoir.
Is Gang Leader for a Day: A Rogue Sociologist Takes to the Streets worth reading?
Based on 15.4K reader ratings, Gang Leader for a Day: A Rogue Sociologist Takes to the Streets has an average score of 4.01 out of 5.00, which is considered "Highly Rated."
How many pages is Gang Leader for a Day: A Rogue Sociologist Takes to the Streets?
Gang Leader for a Day: A Rogue Sociologist Takes to the Streets has 302 pages.
Who wrote Gang Leader for a Day: A Rogue Sociologist Takes to the Streets?
Gang Leader for a Day: A Rogue Sociologist Takes to the Streets was written by Sudhir Venkatesh. It was first published in 2008.
What is the ISBN for Gang Leader for a Day: A Rogue Sociologist Takes to the Streets?
The ISBN-13 for Gang Leader for a Day: A Rogue Sociologist Takes to the Streets is 9781594201510.0.
How much does Gang Leader for a Day: A Rogue Sociologist Takes to the Streets cost on Kindle?
Gang Leader for a Day: A Rogue Sociologist Takes to the Streets is available on Kindle for $13.99. Pricing may vary by region and promotional offers.
Data sourced from community book ratings and reviews. Last updated: April 15, 2026
