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56 pages 1 hour read

Geoffrey Canada

Fist, Stick, Knife, Gun: A Personal History of Violence

Geoffrey CanadaNonfiction | Autobiography / Memoir | Adult | Published in 1995

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Geoffrey Canada

Fist Stick Knife Gun

Nonfiction | Autobiography / Memoir | Adult | Published in 1995
Book Details
Pages

192

Format

Autobiography / Memoir • Nonfiction

Setting

New York City • 1950s

Publication Year

1995

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Lexile Level

1020L

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Super Short Summary

Fist Stick Knife Gun by Geoffrey Canada is a 1995 memoir about his upbringing in the South Bronx from age four to young adulthood, showcasing the progression of violence he faced. Beginning with his father's departure and the theft of his brother's jacket, the memoir details his education in the codes of street survival, his encounters with escalating violence, and his eventual move to a small college in Maine.

Informative

Gritty

Challenging

Suspenseful

Emotional

Reviews & Readership

4.2

3,106 ratings

76%

Loved it

20%

Mixed feelings

5%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Geoffrey Canada's Fist Stick Knife Gun offers a powerful memoir on urban violence and youth. Critics praise its raw, compelling narrative and insightful social commentary. However, some find the storytelling occasionally disjointed. Overall, it's acclaimed for its honest portrayal of systemic issues impacting marginalized communities.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Fist Stick Knife Gun?

Readers who would enjoy Fist Stick Knife Gun by Geoffrey Canada are likely interested in social justice, youth empowerment, and urban studies. Fans of Alex Kotlowitz's There Are No Children Here or Wes Moore's The Other Wes Moore will find Canada’s memoir thought-provoking, with its firsthand look at violence and resilience in inner-city America.

4.2

3,106 ratings

76%

Loved it

20%

Mixed feelings

5%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

192

Format

Autobiography / Memoir • Nonfiction

Setting

New York City • 1950s

Publication Year

1995

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Lexile Level

1020L

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