Student Review: Fist Stick Knife Gun by Geoffrey Canada

Geoffrey Canada. Fist Stick Knife Gun. Beacon Press, 1995. 179p 13.00$ ISBN 0-8070-0423-5

I just completed a book entitled Fist Stick Knife Gun: A Personal History of Violence, written by Geoggrey Canada. This book describes what life was like for Canada and his three brothers in the poverty stricken streets of the South Bronx’s in the 1950’s and the 1960’s. His father was an alcoholic and not a strong presence in his life, so in many ways he was raised by his mother and the streets of New york. Canada uses wonderful illustrations which kept me interested in his story.  His illustrations lead me to believe the target audience he is trying to reach are teenagers, though I am sure it would be good for any age.  Unlike the teachings of martin Luther King, Canada’s parents told them to match violence with violence. Their age of innocence ended at a very young age and they had to learn to survive in the “jungle they lived in.”

I checked out Fist stick Knife Gun: A Personal History of Violence, because I was intrigued to learn about the harsh reality that people faced and are still facing everyday.  I was shocked by some of the things I read.  I found myself constantly anticipating the next page.  I also was intrigued by the hard facts that Canada wrote about.  He uses interesting figures mixed with his personal story, to tell a remarkable story.  It introduced me to concepts I was not familiar with.  Canada opened my eyes to inner-city problems such as recreational drug use, hand gun sales and usage along with the need for safe places for children.

I like this book because it painted a vivid picture in my mind of the run down streets of New York.  Not only did it transcend time, but it allowed me to enter a poverty torn urban world, which is the polar opposite of my world here in Columbia, Missouri.  Since he personally knew the characters, his descriptions of them are in depth and unique.  During the entire book there was an “awe factor” which made it quite suspenseful.  The harsh and tragic times these urban children faced are a lifestyle I am totally unfamiliar with. I enjoyed his writing style and the helpful message he tries to send.  It wasn’t a dull “self-help” book; there were many parts where he describes stabbing, shootings, and murder, which kept it thrilling and suspenseful.  If you’re looking for a book to keep you on the edge of your seat, I recommend this one. There were also times in the book where it was nothing but facts and statistics which bored me. I got through the severe childhood that he endured, and after that he changed. It became him trying to help and give back, which made me lose interest.