On the Make: The Hustle of Urban Nightlife

by David Grazian

David Grazian’s riveting tour of downtown Philadelphia and its newly bustling nightlife scene reveals the city as an urban playground where everyone dabbles in games of chance and perpetrates elaborate cons. Entertainment in the city has evolved into a professional industry replete with set designers, stage directors, and method actors whose dazzling illusions tempt even the shrewdest of customers. As entertaining and illuminating as the confessional stories it recounts, On the Make is a fascinating exposé of the smoke and mirrors employed in the city at night.

Genres: Sociology, Nonfiction

296 pages, Hardcover

First published December 1, 2007

Reviews

[Hubert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent anthropological analysis of adolescent and young adult youth aiming to navigate their new senses of freedom, social beings, sexual selves, and journeys to adulthood. Frames nightlife patterns and institutions as hustlers, replete with players attempting to gain advantages on "marks" through deception in status, appearance, and social worth.

Very well researched; the writer (and his team of assistants) takes 100s of interviews and incorporates them into the book.

[Hennesy · Rating 4 out of 5]

On the Make by David Grazian was a good, easy read. I didn’t feel stressed to read it, which is a big deal considering it was required read. At first I thought the entire concept was pathetic, getting dolled up to go out and show off… then I realized, I think everything is pathetic. Anything that seems fake or forced that is, thus my initial reaction should be disregarded. I found myself relating to the writing in terms of having to put on a show for customers, pregaming and being a victim of the girl hunt. The whole book reminded me of high school; especially on page 167 where a freshman says “the creepy bald guy keeps looking at me. I want to say something to him, anything, like ‘Dude, I’m way too young for you.’” Even now when I am out with my friends we get catcalled from older men but then again why are we at places that we are clearly not even of age to be at? Grazian made me question why us girls react in that manner, if we know more or less what we are getting into.
I really liked the poem on from page 189-190, at first I thought, “Oh crap feminist bullshit” but I loved the ending and thought it was hilarious.
“And stop swearing ‘pussy’ like it’s something weak
you’re givin’ out shit to some pencil-necked geek
Should I look the other way and pretend I don’t own it?
Naw, I’ll grab it, because y’all can never clone it.”
I love how Broussard is funny, straightforward and honest, including her piece made the study cool, at least for me. I think it needed to be said. This book made me question males; why spend your whole day getting ready for the night in hope of getting laid and while doing so disrespect the people you are trying to get with? But then again, if women are viewed as trophies, the men are trying more to show off to their friends then to actually get an “okay” from a girl. I just think it would be easier for a guy to actually get a girl if they were nice, that’s just my common sense. But then again common sense is unreliable.
Nonetheless, I enjoyed reading On the Make; it pushed me to challenge my ideas on society.

[Meredith Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

highly recommended for anyone who lives in philly. a bit dry at parts but that's expected. it made me want to people watch at bars actually.