Book review – Venkatesh, S. 2008. Gang leader for a day. London: Penguin Books.

Referencing: Harvard – Page numbers for all in text citations

Structure/ Guideline:
1. Introduction(300 words)
1a. Say something general about the book

1b. Summarise the main claims and the main research design

1c. Critically comment on the advantages and disadvantages of Venkatesh’s  writing style on this book
l. The book does not report on the research in detail
ll. It does not contextualize it in the various traditions and debates
lll. It concentrates on building a narrative about the relationships between Venkatesh – theethnographerand the various characters

inhabiting the landscape of his urban adventures

1c. (Identify two themesthat will comment on in more depth) Roadmap the whole essay

2. Theme 1 (Power) 550 words
Evidence for it, and evidence for the critical commentary on it (Include other sources, must include page references from the book)

2a. Discuss functionalism and power

2b. Discussdistribution of power – using Pluralism/ Elite theory/ C.WrightMills to relate the case of different people

relationship with JT

2c. Discuss Capitalism – social structure and power (Michel Foucault)

2d. Discusshow these three power that operate within: The gang (Chapter 2-4), Housing tenant leaders ( Chapter 5), Police

(Chapter 7), Venkatesh’s study of these 3 groups give insight into how all 3 work with and against each other in  the operation of day to

day life in an urban ghetto.”

3. Theme 2 (Poverty) 550 words
Evidence for it, and evidence for the critical commentary on it (Include other sources, must include page references from the book)

3a. Discuss the idea of social class. As social class are groups of people who share a similar economic position in terms of income and

ownership of wealth, they are likely to have similar levels of education, status and power. Based on this assumption, JT and Ms bailey

have higher social class than hustlers? And who has higher social class?(Between JT and ms bailey)

3b. Discuss life-chance

3c. Discuss social mobility

3d. Talk about in the beginning of chapter 5 Venkatesh follows Ms. Bailey to her wheeling’s and dealings to get the people of Robert

Taylor more clothing and food.Ms.Bailey explain the city agencies, the churches and the charities were leaving the projects,which forces

men and woman to invent new ways of living. Moreover, middle class people who don’t like to talk about it but came from the project would

donate
Explain these 2 situations in regard to social structure

3e. Discuss the economy structure within Robert Taylor, such as how ms.baileytax the hustlers and the role of Ms Bailey in this project in

regard to working class economy structure

4. Conclusion 250 words
Summarise all the arguments about the book, discuss the themes above