Reviews

Fist Stick Knife Gun: A Personal History of Violence by Geoffrey Canada

heathersbike's review against another edition

5.0

Very thought provoking.

mschlat's review against another edition

4.0

A very sobering account of the violence Canada experienced (and carried out) in his own adolescence along with the increasing gun violence he currently sees with the youth he works with. There is a strong focus on the "codes" of violence and behavior of inner city youth, along with proposed solutions that emphasis transformation of the whole community (e.g., Harlem Children's Zone).

lisaeirene's review against another edition

4.0

I heard about this book on a podcast. It was my first graphic novel I've ever read. I liked it a lot and it was eye-opening. The story was so far from my reality but it was such a good read that I still enjoyed the book. I only wish the ending was different. It was rather abrupt.

shannonleestrouse's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring sad fast-paced

5.0

melindagallagher's review against another edition

4.0

This biographical graphic novel is very heartbreaking and insightful. It would be good paired with Yummy. The violence is toned down, but there is some tough language.

elizabooks's review against another edition

inspiring fast-paced

2.75

melancholylethe's review against another edition

5.0

A personal history examining how violence has become a part of growing up in specific areas. A simple approach, yet something that really touched me. Need to look into the Harlem Children’s Zone.

pwbalto's review against another edition

5.0

I read it in about an hour. In an hour, I met Geoffrey Canada at the age of four, round-eyed when his mother insists his older brother confront a neighborhood thief to retrieve a stolen jacket. I saw him, at six, get robbed of sixty-one cents after he'd been trusted to walk to the store alone. (Alone! At six! Every cell of 'mom' in me sat up and waved her arms and shrieked when I read that.) I was worried when he found a knife in the gutter, and alarmed when he bought a gun.

I thought it was gut-wrenching, convincing, necessary, heartbreaking, and really REALLY well executed.

Full review on Pink Me: http://pinkme.typepad.com/pink-me/2010/11/fist-stick-knife-gun-geoffrey-canada-jamar-nicholas-review.html

bluenicorn's review against another edition

4.0

Well-written, stylized- I liked it. Not a feel-good story, not even much of a story. Just one man's evolving interactions with violence over the course of a lifetime. I found it very revealing and thought-provoking.

amanda57's review against another edition

5.0

This is one of the most engrossing books I have ever read. Canada weaves together stories of his childhood growing up on the tough streets of an inner city into a call to action.