My Bloody Life: The Making of a Latin King [NOOK Book]

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Overview

Looking for an escape from childhood abuse, Reymundo Sanchez turned away from school and baseball to drugs, alcohol, and then sex, and was left to fend for himself before age 14. The Latin Kings, one of the largest and most notorious street gangs in America, became his refuge and his world, but its violence cost him friends, freedom, self-respect, and nearly his life. This is a raw and powerful odyssey through the ranks of the new mafia, where the only people more dangerous than rival gangs are members of your own gang, who in one breath will say they’ll die for you and in the next will order your assassination.
... See more details below

Overview

Looking for an escape from childhood abuse, Reymundo Sanchez turned away from school and baseball to drugs, alcohol, and then sex, and was left to fend for himself before age 14. The Latin Kings, one of the largest and most notorious street gangs in America, became his refuge and his world, but its violence cost him friends, freedom, self-respect, and nearly his life. This is a raw and powerful odyssey through the ranks of the new mafia, where the only people more dangerous than rival gangs are members of your own gang, who in one breath will say they’ll die for you and in the next will order your assassination.

Editorial Reviews

Chicago
A viciously candid, self-deprecating memoir.
Chicago Magazine
A viciously candid, self-deprecating memoir.
Jesse White
A brutal, chilling firsthand account of how a young person who is raised without positive family values will reach out to a gang to find a support system and a substitute family. This book offers new insights into what lures kids into gangs and how difficult it can be for them to get out alive. It shockingly explains how difficult life can be for disadvantaged youngsters and demands that we make a greater effort at improving their lives.
ralphmag.org
Tells us perhaps more than we might want to know about gang life.
The Washington Post
The courageously honest Once a King, Always a King: The Unmaking of a Latin King resumes his 2000 memoir of gang wars, My Bloody Life. — Stephen J. Lyons
Publishers Weekly
Chicago in the 1980s provides the setting for this extremely disturbing and raw account of a Puerto Rican teenager who lost himself to violent gang activity. Now repentant, Sanchez (a pseudonym) writes in a voluble voice, replete with operatic asides declaiming the immorality of his actions. But he offers a forceful and unusual perspective on Chicago--in Sanchez's telling, it's a place of territorial graffiti and racist cops, in which a slow-motion riot of drugs, sex and gunplay constantly unfolds. Sanchez recounts his family's arrival in Chicago's Northwest Side in the late 1970s, when he was a small boy; he describes the beatings his grifter stepfather regularly doled out; and he portrays the allure of the mysterious and ritual-bound lives of tough, teenaged gangsters. When his family returned to Puerto Rico, he stayed behind. Soon, he joined the fearsome Latin Kings, and his given street name "Lil Loco" attested to his youth and ferocity. While graphically describing what he witnessed as a gang member--senseless killings, inter-ethnic hatreds and sexual abuse of gang-affiliated women--Sanchez also pursues harder truths, arguing that it is a minority of promiscuous drug-users accompanied by community-wide silence that keeps the gangs in business. In the end, he condemns his former gang for masquerading as a Latino "public service" organization while high-ranking members become rich from their youthful recruits' drug dealing. And he scoffs at their reliance on conformist rituals and violence (violations of the rituals were punished with full body beatings). Offering very little hope, this book captures the dark, self-destructive lot of countless urban teens. Like other gangland memoirs (such as Monster and Always Running), it is significant because it takes the reader deep inside a secretive and brutal ethnic gang subculture. (Aug.) Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.
Booknews
Both (7/27/00) and (7/17/00) have good reviews of the original, 2000, edition of this raw memoir. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Product Details

  • ISBN-13: 9781569762325
  • Publisher: Chicago Review Press, Incorporated
  • Publication date: 4/1/2007
  • Sold by: Barnes & Noble
  • Format: eBook
  • Pages: 320
  • Sales rank: 42,819
  • File size: 2 MB

Meet the Author

Reymundo Sanchez is the pseudonym of a former Latin King who no longer lives in Chicago.

Read an Excerpt

The Vicelords hung out on Hoyne and Crystal streets not far from the Unknowns 'hood. That's where we headed. Pebbles and I sat in the rear of the van, Hercules drove, and Morena sat on the front passenger seat. Leo called Pebbles up to the front. I heard him say "give this to that brother so he can take care of business." Pebbles came back to where I was and handed me a sawed off shotgun. I was scared out of my mind. I was about to be tested again. Damn I wished I was in Puerto Rico!

A few seconds later the van stopped. Hercules came to the back and asked for the shotgun. I was relieved thinking that I wouldn't have to use it on anybody, but he only had forgotten to load it. Hercules loaded the shotgun and demonstrated how to use it. "See my brother you pull the trigger then pump it, pull the trigger again then pump it again until its empty," Hercules instructed me. Shotgun shells flew out of the top of the gun every time he pumped it. (He never actually pulled the trigger.) Hercules reloaded it, gave it to me, and again we were on our way. Pebbles lit up a joint and sat next to me. She gave me the joint and started kissing me on my neck and whispering about what she would do to me if I shot a Vicelord for her. I stared at the shotgun, not knowing what to do.

Pebbles took it out of my hands, put it under a blanket then kissed me. I was tongue kissing and feeling up Pebbles' body when Morena came back and told us that we had arrived at our destination. She advised me to get ready then she went back into the front.

Pebbles looked out the window and pointed out the Vicelords for me. She grabbed my groin, squeezed gently, kissed me, and told me that the sooner I got it over with, the quicker I could have her. I made up my mind right there and then to go ahead with the whole thing.

Table of Contents

Preface xv
1 La Familia 1
2 Chicago 4
3 Humboldt Park 8
4 The Beatings Begin 15
5 The Spanish Lords 23
6 Murder in the 'Hood 32
7 My Teacher Maria 43
8 No Paradise 51
9 No Home 53
10 Jenny 56
11 Lords of Nothing 61
12 Chi-West 67
13 Coward 74
14 Can't Be Normal Even If I Tried 79
15 First Kill 86
16 The Acceptable Difference 91
17 Officer Friendly 94
18 China 97
19 Back to the Hunting Grounds 101
20 Betrayed into a Coma 104
21 Madness 108
22 Rosie 116
23 Convenient Agreement 118
24 My Girl 123
25 Prove Myself Worthy 128
26 Rape 132
27 Crowned 137
28 Violence Rules 151
29 Madman 156
30 Losing Maplewood Park 161
31 My Rosie 167
32 Down Brother 175
33 Poor Rosie 186
34 Juni 189
35 Loca 195
36 Morena, R.I.P 199
37 NRA? Lucky's Death 206
38 Crazy Ways 209
39 Disciplined 214
40 No Lesson Learned 226
41 Spread the Violence 232
42 Enemies Near 237
43 Disowned 240
44 The Way It Is 244
45 Another Addiction 251
46 Close Call 262
47 The Law 265
48 Free? 274
49 Older Woman 278
50 Love Lost 285
51 Lesson Learned, Finally 292
52 Crownless 295
53 Tragedies Continue With or Without Me 298

Customer Reviews

Average Rating 4.5
( 165 )

Rating Distribution

5 Star

(131)

4 Star

(26)

3 Star

(6)

2 Star

(0)

1 Star

(2)

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See All Sort by: Showing 1 – 20 of 166 Customer Reviews
  • Posted February 6, 2009

    Review of My Bloody Life

    My Bloody Life is the most intense and thrilling book I have ever read. Reymundo Sanchez wasted no time going into the hardships that he faced through out his life. He is a great author and describes his life with so much detail. It almost feels like you are his best friend living by his side day and night. When he describes some of the horrors of gang life I felt like I was experiencing them. It is a great book that describes his coming-of-age and his transition from little Reymundo into Lil Loco and then back into Reymundo. The intensity of some of the scenes he describes makes you jump into the air. He uses foreshadowing to always keep you guessing what is going to happen next. Some events that he has been through seem unbelievable. I couldn't imagine what it would be like to deal with being shot at every day. Always being afraid for your life and getting sucked into all different addictions. His words that he uses really speak to the heart. He may be a murderer and may have been heartless, but through the whole book you can't help but feel sorry for him. It must have been so hard to see death every day. I recommend this book to mostly young adults who are tired of boring mysteries or drama books. This book may have drama but it is all exciting and the pages jump out at you. You honestly can feel the cold winters he felt. You feel every punch or bullet he takes to the body. You feel like you are running with him when he runs for his life. The very first chapter is filled with excitement. Each paragraph explains more and more how deep he got into gang life. The neglect from his family leads him to the Latin Kings. The backstabbing that took place between the members drove him to reconsider what it really meant to be a King. His path toward being known as a wanted and respected gang member is just unbelievable. His constant battles with himself and who he has become just sinks into your gut. Makes you realize how hard it was for him to have to live under drugs so he could be who everyone else wanted him to be. This book is full of excitement that any young adult would love to read.

    2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted February 18, 2012

    I loved It (:

    The book is very intersating, and a book everyone should read ! If you like reading books gang related and gang-life this is the book for YOU.!

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted February 16, 2005

    vocational skills and self defense trainig of the mind body and soul

    This script is to enlighten the reader on awareness of the cause of a third world oppressed people. This book is a story about a person telling his experiences in the life of his own being. One man or one woman does not represent a poor and confined nation. It is important for the reader to understand that. Becacuse the title and story line bare the name of 'Latin King', this leaves the brothers and sisters in the every day revolution to stuggle with the exploitation. It also opens doors for the negativity, and the stereo types. When the pain of a minority group with in a larger prevailing culture is portrayed and limited to one mans experience, you suffer from the notion of one mans experience. Now the world is obligated to criticize what is fought so hard to eliminate. An ugly man can call his self beatiful, he can live this lie but what he is wont change. Just as a man can call his self a king, it doesnt mean he is a king. The mind of the simple might make this mistake. We learn from mistakes through education. If we don't learn from our mistakes then we are at fault twice if we justify our wrong. This is why there is importance for self defense training of the mind, body, and soul. A fight or flight response in our logistical side of thinking enables us to defend our physical when it is under attack, but how do we fight back when your mind is being manipulated or your beliefs being challenged? Edjucation. Yearn for knowledge, treat it like artillery. Arm your selfs!

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted May 23, 2012

    One of my favorites.

    I related to this book a little and know how hard it is 2 go through things of this nature. This man is a very talented writer and speaks the truth about gang life. I respect him for enduring the pains that he went through and could tell us all about it today

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  • Posted October 23, 2011

    I Also Recommend:

    Awesome! Highly recommend it!

    I read this book before in the 5th grade, when it barely came out. It was such an awesome book that I decided to look it up and buy it. I can read this book over and over again. I grew up in the streets of Chicago and all the things the book mentions happening, really happen, its crazy. I hope younger generations can take a look at this book before they fall into a world with no future at all.

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  • Posted June 8, 2011

    Test

    Test

    0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted May 8, 2011

    My bloody life

    Found the book gritty and at times almost explosive . Lets the reader feel what gang life is and what you can become .

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  • Posted May 3, 2011

    amazing like no other. in a way others may not understand a must read for city teens

    im growing up in the area where this book takes place the hang out corners,parks,and schools are still around even the gangs have been remade died out and back, but i can tell how its changed. i never planed on ever joining a gang and i still dont,. i told others about the book since they thought gangs were cool now they see how they are not. i thank the author of making this book. because its changed their minds. now i can hope that. my friends will be around longer and do the right thing,. people may think that we are young for this book, but iv been known to be more of an adult then most people my. age an this book has made me more of one. my bloody life is what alot of us around here need. (a book that i will never forget)

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  • Posted April 12, 2011

    No lo puedo soltar.

    Nunca pensè que leeria un libro como èste, de violencia y gangas, pero està tan bien escrito que solo con leer el primer capìtulo aquì en el site de B&N lo tuve que comprar.

    Nota:
    Solo e leido hasta el capìtulo #7.

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  • Posted January 6, 2011

    a must read!!!!

    i found this book to be amazing! eye-opening and gritty. i loved this book and could not put it down! i was so happy their was a second book, and loved that one as well. also he co-wrote a book called 'queen of kings' i believe and like his 2books before i fell in love with its hard hitting true tales and ive been on the search for more ever since...... buy this book! recommend this book!! gift this book!!!

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  • Posted December 15, 2010

    An eye opening inside look at Gang-life.

    "My Bloody Life", was a deep and eye opening inside look at Latin gang-life. From start to finish the book is gut wrenching, and tells the tale of a boy that has his childhood taken from him from a very young age. The book includes intimate details on the down spiral of a teenage boy entering gang life.

    It is a personal testimonial of when you have no love and attention at home, you look for it somewhere else. In "Lil Loco's" case he found it with The Latin Kings, or so he thought.

    I would recommend this book to anyone, but especially young men. Great book from start to finish. Did not disappoint at all.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted November 17, 2010

    Truly Interesting Book

    You all need to read this book, My Bloody Life by Reymundo Sanchez. Anyone can enjoy this book. This book is full of suspense and has a brilliant plot. It has lots of things going on and is very easy to get caught in the story. One moment you will be reading the book and time will fly by! This book unwraps a story of a gang member who faces great difficulties with drugs,sex,violence, and death. Throughout the story he has to deal drugs, kill, and have a life as a party. The book is meant to help kids face the reality of being in a gang and to warn them to stay away. I think it's extremely well written for this purpose because it shows Lil Loco at the depth of almost dying but he has to stay in the gang because of fear. " Anything seemed better than what I feared my future would be like as a King." Before that he had been warned that if he didn't join they would have to jump him because he was claiming he was a King. Which he wasn't. In that instance LIL Loco feared for his life so he decided to join. This book demonstrates that gangs can be your friends and rapidly turn against you.
    I really liked this book because it was full of action and disaster yet it had such a dramatic ending, and I recommend it too all mature people. To read this book you have to be mature because you can fall into the main characters ideas which he's trying to make you avoid. This book is full of violence,drugs, and death. It was breath taking. Not only that but this book has a sequel named Once a King Always A King: The Unmaking of A Latin King by Reymundo Sanchez. This book is based on the same subject. With the first book in mind I can't wait to get my hands on the sequel. Order this book, go out and buy it. Do whatever you need to do because this book is great!

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  • Posted May 10, 2010

    My bloody Life

    The book "My bloody life: The making of a Latin King" is by far an amazing novel wirtten by Reymundo Sanchez. It's riviting and extremely truthful, leaving this story rather addiciting. The imagery and story line, or rather life story stands in its on category. With this novel, not only do you see the struggles portrayed through Gang life, you learn about the actual underground society. I recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in Gang related stories; however this novel is for a mature audience..no younger than 13 should be able to read the contents in this book. But none the less this book is amazing! great read!

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  • Anonymous

    Posted January 31, 2010

    Great Book -- A must read for those who don't understand inner city gangs

    I loved this book and highly recommend it to others. It's a great story and an eye opener for those of us who aren't exposed to gang life.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted January 14, 2010

    I Also Recommend:

    this is a good book

    so i have been reading this book and so far it has taught me not to get in to any drugs and gangs. this book is all about reymundo sanchez. he tell the beginning and half way through the middle you have to read once a king always a king..to know the end of the middle and the end...

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  • Posted January 8, 2010

    For young adults and PARENTS

    First off, I'm not a reader whatsoever and my mother purchased me this book for Christmas. One day, I started off reading it because I was bored at my workplace and that was it. The book's characters and story line is so easy to follow and deep you find yourself angry at your daily chores and job because it interferes with your reading. I finished this book in 5 days and was disappointed when it was over. This is a great book for 1) young adults to show them exactly what's in store for them and that street life is not all fun and games but a matter of life and death and 2) for parents to show what happens when you neglect your children and don't provide them with the attention necessary. Overall, 5 out of 5 and a must read. If not to better your life, it makes you aware of your surroundings and things to watch for. Hope this helped!

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  • Anonymous

    Posted December 22, 2009

    My review

    This book My Bloody Life made me think alot more about the real world and the real life people go through. some people in the streets of Chicago are afraid to walk there because it is a very dangerous place to be. This book also made me realize what to do in life and what not to do, and how small mistakes can change your whole life and mess it up. it also made me realize the right way to go in life. which is to get educated and to try your best to be succesfull. I highly recommend this book to the people thatt are taking the wrong path in life it could change you.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted November 20, 2009

    My review on My bloody life

    omg. i love this book so much, n i think its the best book ever.This book changed my life forever and since reading this book i have never been the same. this book is real, it painted pictures in my head, i cried to this book, and it broke my heart reading. This is the only whole book ive ever wanted to read and that ive ever finished reading.i got alot of people to read this book and i was very happy to do so. i even got one of my teachers to buy it. I read this book when i wass in 8th grade n i'm now a sophmore in high school.this truly is a great book,and i believe evryone should read it.its real its crazy and its serious!!!!

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  • Anonymous

    Posted March 18, 2009

    What Happens in the City of Chicago

    This book is very sad and has crime and violence. It's about what happens in the city of Chicago.This autobiography is about a 5 year old boy who doesn't live his childhood like a 5 year old boy should. Reymundo's mother and step-fathers mistreat him and he always feels alone. The only people he feel he counts on and make feel like his home is the Latin Kings. Throughout his life meets women and new drugs to use and he makes very stupid decisions. But then he realizes, after so many years that he makes a huge mistake by getting involved with the gang because he thought that the gang is just about fooling around. I really recommend this book for anyone who would like to know about gangs.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted March 18, 2009

    THE effects OF VIOLENCE on CHILDREN

    I had never read such a good book as this one before. I can't believe how bad Sanchez's mother was to him while he was growing up. This book is a great example for those parents who don't know how to treat their children the right way and show them love. Sanchez was afraid to join a gang yet he had no choice, because that was the only place he felt that he had a family. Sanchez started drinking and smoking joints when he stared hanging out with Papo and his friends. Also he started doing this so that he would not feel the pain every time his mother and Pedro beat him. Therefore he started doing wrong things and getting involved with many different gangs. When Sanchez was 13 years old, he had his first girlfriend who was very happy every time he did something wrong. He thought that the more violence he committed the more girls he would get.

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