Fist Stick Knife Gun: A Personal History of Violence in America [Paperback]

Geoffrey Canada (Author)

Book Description

Release date: April 9, 1996 | Lexile Measure: 1050L (What's this?)

Long before U.S. News and World Report named him one of America's Best Leaders and Oprah Winfrey called him "an angel from God," Geoffrey Canada was a small, vulnerable, scared boy growing up in the South Bronx. Canada's world was one where "sidewalk" boys learned the codes of the block and were ranked through the rituals of fist, stick, and knife. Then the streets changed, and the stakes got even higher. In this candid and riveting memoir, Canada relives a childhood in which violence stalked every street corner. "If you wonder how a fourteen-year-old can shoot another child his own age in the head and then go home to dinner," Canada writes, "you need to know you don't get there in a day, or week, or month. It takes years of preparation to be willing to commit murder, to be willing to kill or die for a corner, a color, or a leather jacket."

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Canada knows the world of inner-city children intimately, for he grew up in some of the most dangerous areas of the Bronx. As a young child, he learned that only those who can fight will survive. When he reached adolescence, the knife was the weapon of choice, but for today's youth, which he calls "the handgun generation," it is the pistol. Canada explains exactly what growing up in this war zone does to the psyche: fear, doubt and anger crowd the mind, driving out love, friendship and laughter. There is no post-traumatic stress syndrome, because there is no "post." Greedy drug dealers and gun manufacturers, he says, by flooding the inner cities with their products, have made urban violence, which always existed, more deadly. He has a series of recommendations, rooted in his own experience as a child and as an adult, that are thoroughly convincing. A more powerful depiction of the tragic life of urban children and a more compelling plea to end "America's war against itself" cannot be imagined. 40,000 first printing; author tour.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

This brutally honest account of a childhood in the Bronx is a personal history of violence in America and a hopeful plea for the salvation of our children caught in today's cross fire. Canada's childhood experiences influenced his sensitive understanding of violent attitudes born out of fear and self-preservation. What is perhaps most disturbing about the events Canada experienced is the degree to which all such occurrences (gang fights, weapon use, drug abuse) have increased in frequency and randomness, escalated in intensity, and been magnified by movies and media, which continue to promote heroes who succeed through brute force. Canada contends that we, particularly our children, are subjected to a kind of unstated death penalty as the odds for being shot and killed, not even being the target, have dramatically increased. Anyone living in urban America can relate to this book on some level, for we are all aware that our cities have become just as war torn and dangerous as any official battleground. Canada is willing not only to discuss this crisis, but to offer firsthand solutions by such examples as the Countee Cullen Community Center in Harlem, which provides unity, education, and safety for its neighboring community. This book should be necessary reading for all politicians and media personnel and for every NRA member who thinks licensing handguns, getting "tough on crime," or "just saying no" is enough. For Canada, all such quick-fix solutions are temporary mortar for the ever-widening crack in America's foundation. Janet St. John --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Beacon Press; Reprint edition (April 9, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0807004235
• ISBN-13: 978-0807004234
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.6 x 8.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (83 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #580,081 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 20 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Vivid. June 16, 2000

By bongo VINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Mr.Canada grew up in the 60's in the Bronx. In this book he talks about what it was like to live there. He talks about having to prove yourself or face the prospect of getting your ... kicked in the future. You get a VIVID description of what he was up against as a young person. I mean, I grew up a long way away in a much less dangerous place, and I knew exactly what he was getting at. That's a testament to his writing, and the universality of the subject. Mr. Canada recalls one episode where he is walking a few blocks out of his neighborhood, and you get a detailed view of how dangerous this was. Just walking down the street! All I can say against the book is that I would have liked even more of the authors autobiography. Later on in the book, he gets more polemical about what can be done. I agree with what he says, but as far as literary quality goes, that stuff isn't really in the same league as the earlier part of the book. Also, let me say, the author has an excellent, direct writing style, which makes what he has to say that much more powerful.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Street education. October 7, 2010

By trashcanman VINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback|Amazon Vine™ Review (What's this?)

As a graphic novel in the traditional sense, "Fist Stick Knife Gun: A Personal History of Violence" is not a particularly exciting read. However, FSKG is not a traditional graphic novel, but an illustrated memoir and examination of the street culture that gave rise to the violence that plagues our ghettos and causes hardship for so many who find themselves unable to extricate themselves and succeed in life when life has taught them nothing but aggression. The story sidesteps many opportunities to be preachy and allows the reader room to connect the dots themselves as the author simply recounts his life experiences growing up in the South Bronx and the social structure and cultural change that would eventually lead to what we now know as gang violence. Author Geoffrey Canada has spent his life educating people and attempting to offer children the chance to grow up free of violence by starting the Harlem Children's Zone, which is a program that seeks to provide the adult role models and supervision that he and so many other urban youths did not have growing up. That's what you "call putting it where your mouth is". Universal praise is hard to come by in these politically-divided times, but Mr. Canada has indeed earned it.

FSKG is really not so much a graphic novel as it is illustrated autobiographical expositionary prose. This is to say that there is very little dialogue from the characters and the story is told via narration rather than unfolding based on character interactions. As a story it lacks many things (including a climax or even a proper conclusion), but one thing it has in spades in believability. After all, one can hardly expect real life to unfold like a fictional Hollywood production or classic novel. The purpose of this comic is not to entertain, but to educate. And those who look down their noses from ivory towers at what they see as crude street culture could use this particular class. Canada's experiences are interesting in that they predate the wide availability of firearms in urban areas so in that sense he got out before things got really bad. A lot of what is within thee pages are what we'd call "boys being boys". However, the lack of father figures or adult supervision leads to an almost tribal atmosphere where combat is the only way to establish a pecking order and neighbors band together to prove their street is the toughest. It's a crude system, but one with it's own with ethics and honor. But -just like in business, career, and politics- growing up and succeeding on the streets means escalation and an eventual discarding of any pretension of integrity. The title says it all.

FSKG in a brief glimpse into the street culture of days past that led to the violence we see in ghettos around the country. Canada lays his experiences out for the world to consume and Jamar Nicholas' art effectively visualizes the tale. As a story unto itself, it's not really outstanding, but as a look into a world your average suburban businessman has never bothered to consider while complaining about hip-hop attitudes and fashions and paying no mind to the large number of young people losing their lives in these inner-city warzones, it's essential. Mr. Canada has spent his life combating the things he grew up with in an attempt to better the lives of those who may not be as lucky as he has been. Is it too much to ask that we listen to the man's story?

11 of 14 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A must read for everyone concerned with children May 3, 1999

By [e-mail]

Format:Paperback

I grew up on the southside of Chicago. While reading this book I could relate to every experience that Mr. Canada relates. The book is easy to read. I think he identifies the problems well. Everyone who cares about children should read this book and help our children.