There are only so many words that can be used in describing Michael Colyar's book, "East Side Krazy," but one that comes to mind immediately is "Unforgiving."
Growing up in the Jeffrey Manor, possibly the worst neighborhood in Chicago's southeast side, Michael Colyar somehow managed to not spend the rest of his life in jail or be killed (although he was shot over 14 times during his life as a gangster), and found his way to God.
His story is written under the pen name "Melvin Thomas," a cousin of Michael who died in the Jeffery Manor from living the "thug life" with Michael. In addition, each chapter explains in detail growing up in the ghetto, rising to power in the gang community, living the life, and losing everyone and everything in a blink of an eye.
If that's not enough, poems depicting the hardcore mentality of gangster life, juxtaposed to dramatic narratives in between the documentary style approach, is almost overshadowed entirely by the convict letters at the end of the book.
Michael felt it necessary to include a few very powerful words from some of his friends who grew up with him and now are spending the rest of their lives in jail for various crimes; most of them murders. Truly eye-opening.
It's so rare that the general public gets to read an actual account of life growing up in the ghetto. We see everyday on television individuals glamorizing the life and in urban music, thugs are celebrated for their actions. BUT Michael Colyar's book is what life was really like in the bottom of America's slums: Gritty, realistic, and most of all, UNFORGIVING.
