My Bloody Life: The Making of a Latin King

by Reymundo Sánchez

Book Overview

Looking for an escape from childhood abuse, Reymundo Sanchez turned away from school and baseball to drugs, alcohol, and then sex, and was left to fend for himself before age 14. The Latin Kings, one of the largest and most notorious street gangs in America, became his refuge and his world, but its violence cost him friends, freedom, self-respect, and nearly his life. This is a raw and powerful odyssey through the ranks of the new mafia, where the...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1556524277
• ISBN13: 9781556524271
• Release Date: July 2000
• Publisher: Chicago Review Press
• Length: 320 Pages
• Weight: 0.13 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Awesome book could not put it down!

This book was referred by my Professor and it was a awesome book!

loved it !!!!

read it for yourselves it's awesome!!!!

Is it too bloody?

My Bloody Life: The Making of a Latin King is a story written by Reymundo Sanchez (a pseudonym). Mr. Sanchez tries to teach readers about the dangers of being a gang member. Reymundo opens a reader's eyes to the gang world by explaining his personal experiences and through his friend's experiences. The gang world is far more multifarious than how it is depicted in movies and TV shows. Reymundo Sanchez gets an inside look on one of the largest and most organized Hispanic street gangs, by being a former gang member of the Latin Kings. As a kid Reymundo was physically abused by his parents and did not have family to lean on. At a very young age Reymundo was forced to lean on himself and was driven to the life of a gangster. Mr. Sanchez explains how he thought gangs were like a family, a "brother" is there for each other when one needs help. Soon enough he realized "brotherhood" is only strong if one can benefit from the other. He performed his first "hit" at the age of 14 and from then on, he understood the hardship his life would have to undergo just to survive. Mr. Sanchez clearly depicts each gruesome experience he had to endure because of his gang activity. He also explains his side of the story and reveals truly how he felt inside when the use of drugs, the killing of innocent people, and promiscuous activity happened. Reymundo tells the appalling truth that makes a reader think differently about gangs. It successfully shows the dangers of being in a gang. However, it does not just give the reader stereotypical views on gang members. When a person hears gang member, the first word that pops into their heads is "bad". Most people do not bother to understand why these kids become these "bad" gang members. Reymundo explains how most kids get tangled into gangs because they were in search for a "family like" structure in their lives. Then these kids get in way over their head and cannot get out of the gang. Mr.Sanchez tells the readers how he had to get beaten up, just to get out of the gang. This is a clear example of the difficulty aspects of getting out of a gang. Then, there are emotional aspects of feeling alone, because of leaving the closest entity to family that these gang members once thought they had. This book does not require a lot to put a reader on the edge of his or her seat. It has action, romance, a little comedy, but mostly a lot of drama. It can be a bit graphic for some people. Other readers seem to think the book was written in self pity and has bad grammar. Reymundo's book talks much about sex, drugs, and alcohol, which can also bother some readers. It is more recommended for people that are somewhat interested in the subject of gang life.

A Voice From the Hood.

This is one great book. As I read it, many memories of my childhood on the southside of chicago came back. The life he writes about is true now as it was then. This book is surely a voice coming out of the hood. But as reymundo states in the first page, "Unfortunately the people who need to hear this message the most will probsbly never read this book." This book should be given to someone in the gang life to open the eyes of the kids who have taken the wrong road. It should be looked at not only as a story to read but also as a lesson to learn and teach to others. Because there are many scared youth today in the clutches of the gangs in all neighborhoods looking for a way out and all they need is a path to follow.I hope Mr. sanchez does not give up his dream of getting his degree. The book about that story will truely be even greater that the one about his past. It will teach the latino youth that we can achieve all our goals. I am close to receiving my degree and I know this is the best example I can set kids and other young latinos who have no postive role models to follow and admire. Don't quit trying mi hermano. ""AMOR"

the best novel

This book is amazing.It's so real as you read on.is exacly what life is like for most puerto ricans as child and the life around chicago and humbolt park. As I continued readind forward it felt as if I was reading one of my brothers story, i truly understud everything Reymundo had to say. people judge us teenagers who have lived around that area but they don't know what is like living in it.. Its terrible living there and is ashamed that is where my people are at.I think that my own people give themselves a bad name.Is like they are such dirt, especially the majority whom live there.there's one thing I have to say to the aof this book, and taht is that I'm so proud of him and I wish him good luck.

Reality, with some perspective

Excellent description of gang life, and how young men are sucked into that life. Witten by a former Latin King who joined at a very young age, and quickly rose through the ranks to become a street level leader.During this period, he became addicted to drugs, and his life spiraled out of control. The only reason he is alive to write this book is that he got out before he hit his late teens.The book lays out in great and convincing detail what it means to be a member of a street gang. One forgets that the author did everything that he describes in about three years (the time line is apparently intentionally fudged), and all before he reached adulthood.The only warning I would give is that the book does not really explore the higher reaches of the gang structure. The author readily admits that he never came anywhere near that level, and was used and abused by those that did. That is the book I am waiting for.

BEST BOOK I EVER READ

GROWING UP IN THE SAME NEIGHBORHOOD, AND SEEING FIRST HAND THE REALITY OF WHAT HE WROTE I COULDENT HELP BUT BE CAPTIVATED BY THE BOOK. HE LEADS YOU ON AN EMOTIONAL ROLLER COASTER THROUGH FEELINGS AND ENCOUNTERS HE HAD THROUGHOUT LIFE. FOR ANYONE WHO EVER HAD A CURIOSITY OF THE GRIITY WORLD OF GANGS THIS IS A MUST READ