caring and thoughtful person I have ever known; her voice always rang in my head when I needed to get around a roadblock. Thanks, Mom.
I can recall the initial conversations with my sister, Urmila, when I signed up to write this book. I was nervous, while she was overjoyed. She has always productively channeled her enthusiasm by keeping me honest and mindful of those who are less fortunate and who may never benefit from my writings.
At the University of Chicago and at Columbia, Professors Peter Bearman, Jean Comaroff, John Comaroff, Herbert J. Gans, Edward Laumann, Nicole Marwell, and Moishe Postone guided me through difficult waters. Katchen Locke, Sunil Garg, Larry Kamerman, Ethan Michaeli, Amanda Millner-Fairbanks, David Sussman, Benjamin Mintz, Matthew McGuire, and Baron Pineda were ever supportive, whether with humor, advice, or a glass of wine. Farah Griffin’s writings inspired me to push on, Doug Guthrie encouraged me to pursue the venerable path of public sociology, and Eva Rosen read drafts diligently and is on her way to becoming an outstanding sociologist.
I never would have written this book if I hadn’t met Steven Levitt, an economist who took an interest in my fieldwork. Over dinner one night at the Harvard Society of Fellows, Steven and I spent hours trying to connect the worlds of economics and sociology. To this day Steven remains a close collaborator and friend. I couldn’t have attempted this act of hubris without his encouragement. Steven kindly introduced me to Suzanne Gluck, who helped shepherd me through the byzantine world of trade publishing. Suzanne is one of the wisest souls I have ever met. At Penguin, Ann Godoff has been a pleasure to work with, and I hope this is the first of many journeys under her stewardship.
In writing this book, I drew on the intellectual gifts and emotional sustenance of my close friend Nathaniel Deutsch. I pulled Nathaniel away from his precious daughter, Simona, on many occasionsto rant, cry, or just throw up my hands. Nathaniel, I may never be able to return the favor, but I will certainly make sure Simi knows how kind you have been.
To Stephen Dubner, I owe an inexpressible debt. Stephen had the unenviable task of helping me put my thoughts on paper. It was not always easy for me to visit my past, and Stephen listened to my meanderings patiently, offering the right amount of criticism and feedback. I doubt that Stephen thinks of himself as a teacher, but he is one of the best.
I remain especially grateful to the tenants of the Robert Taylor Homes for letting me into both their apartments and their lives. Dorothy Battie has been a close friend, and Beauty Turner and the staff at the Residents’ Journal newspaper have given of their time generously.
I still feel guilty about all those years that I let J.T. think I would write his biography. I hope that he at least reads these pages someday. While a lot of it is my story, it plainly could never have happened without him. He let me into a new world with a level of trust I had no reason to expect; I can only hope that this book faithfully represents his life and his work.
INDEX
affiliates
aldermen
aluminum
American Liberties Union (ACLU)
anthropologists
Apartment
Armour Square
Autry, see Harrison, Autry
Bad Buck
Bailey, Ella
Bailey, Ms.
accusations against
back-to-school party thrown by
Boys & Girls Club and
Catrina and
CHA and
Clarisse and
cleanup demanded by
clothing drive of
at Crustie’s
gang donations to
as head of LAC
on hustling
J.T. on
on J.T.’s surveys
at monthly tenant meeting
on poverty
power desired by
pride in S.V.’s attention
Robert Taylor demolition and
sexual partners of
as suspicious of S.V.
S.V.’s information and
S.V.’s underground-economy studies approved by
Bailey, Ms. (cont.)
Taneesha incident and
tenants’ visits to
underground-economy cut of
Wilson’s door replaced by
Baldwin, Mr.
Bangladeshis
Barry (gang member)
Battie, Dorothy
Bee-Bee (J.T.’s daughter)
Bee-Bee (Taneesha’s manager)
Billy (gang member)
Billy Jo
Bird
Black Kings
basketball tournaments held by
Candy’s apartment as storage for
CBOs and
community and
crack dealt by
Curly as manager of
Disciples’ rivalry with
at drive-by shooting
drive-by shootings discussed by
drugs dealt by
