Monster: The Autobiography of an LA Gang Member, is an autobiography detailing the criminal and personal life of Kody Scott. The book tells the story of how and why Kody Scott got involved in gang life, what happened during his time as a gang member, and how his life changed after his incarceration. It provides great insight into the inner workings of gangs in America and shows how tough life is for the people who choose to join them. Shakur details his early years, his time as one of the leaders of the streets, and his transformation into prison. Kody Scott began working with the Crips at the age of eleven (Shakur Preface xiii). From the beginning of his time in the Crips, Scott seemed to naturally fit into the life of a gang member. He quickly gained notoriety for his many acts of violence and was given the nickname "Monster" following the ferocious beating he inflicted on a man that left him permanently disfigured and in a coma (Shakur 13). Scott became very well known in the community and was feared by rival gangs, as he quickly rose to the top of his own gang. During his early adolescence, Scott was in and out of juvenile centers and youth camps due to his violent behavior. As a result of his affiliation with the Crips and his actions as a member, his relationship with his mother became very poor (Shakur 25). He became so famous that one night he was attacked and shot seven times (Shakur 92). He subsequently became even more famous in the gang world and was quickly becoming the most respected member of the Crips. Shortly after being released from the hospital following the shooting, Kody Scott was arrested for murder and sent to juvenile detention (Shakur 124). During Scott's attempt... halfway through the document... listed theories to explain why Kody Scott acted the way he did when he was young. The central theme in all of them is that he was not in an environment that taught him to live what is considered a normal life. The people he was surrounded by and who had the greatest influence on him were the ones who taught him to be the way he was and act the way he did. If he had lived in a different city, or had different role models, perhaps he would not have been led into a life of crime. Unfortunately, however, he was surrounded by unfavorable circumstances and was forced to do everything he could to survive. Works Cited Adler, Freda, Gerhard OW Mueller, and William S. Laufer. Criminology. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2012. Print. Shakur, Sanyika. Monster: The Autobiography of a Los Angeles Gang Member. New York: Atlantic Monthly, 1993. Print.