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Rabbit in the Jungle
“The prison system isn’t working. Theoretically, prisons deter and reform criminals. Given the high number of repeat visitors in the country’s prisons this theory doesn’t hold up very well. The unfortunate truth is that prison often becomes a training ground and network that actually encourages further criminal pursuits. Prisoners become hardened and desensitized by the brutal setting.”
Rabbit in the Jungle tells a classically American story of second chances, hard work and hope. Sometimes raw and gritty, the book traces Anthony Alegrete’s rise from the streets of Los Angeles, through the penal system, to the halls of academia and the competitive business world of Las Vegas. Along the way he had a lot of fun, a little trouble and learned a few lessons. This book shares his story in a way meant to be cautionary and inspiring. Alegrete wants others to know the important role that family, friends and education play in keeping their lives on the right track. The title for the book comes from Anthony’s ability to survive in multiple dangerous environments. With more tricks than Bugs Bunny and more charm than Roger Rabbit he navigated the street culture of Los Angeles during the heyday of West Coast hip hop; navigated safely through prison politics; built a reputation for himself at University of Nevada - Las Vegas and partnered up with local fitness experts to bring a trendy gym to the downtown area of Vegas. In all of these jungles, there were threats to be dealt with and Alegrete always met them head on. At an early age he learned not to let fear stand in the way of what he wanted. No matter what the problem, he’s a master at taking stock of his resources and plunging ahead. Anthony Alegrete portrays his struggles and achievements with heart in full view on the proverbial sleeve and his energy level locked in at ‘turbo-charged. With co-author Holly Baker he has crafted a must-read for anyone fighting their way through the jungle.
Rabbit in the Jungle tells a classically American story of second chances, hard work and hope. Sometimes raw and gritty, the book traces Anthony Alegrete’s rise from the streets of Los Angeles, through the penal system, to the halls of academia and the competitive business world of Las Vegas. Along the way he had a lot of fun, a little trouble and learned a few lessons. This book shares his story in a way meant to be cautionary and inspiring. Alegrete wants others to know the important role that family, friends and education play in keeping their lives on the right track. The title for the book comes from Anthony’s ability to survive in multiple dangerous environments. With more tricks than Bugs Bunny and more charm than Roger Rabbit he navigated the street culture of Los Angeles during the heyday of West Coast hip hop; navigated safely through prison politics; built a reputation for himself at University of Nevada - Las Vegas and partnered up with local fitness experts to bring a trendy gym to the downtown area of Vegas. In all of these jungles, there were threats to be dealt with and Alegrete always met them head on. At an early age he learned not to let fear stand in the way of what he wanted. No matter what the problem, he’s a master at taking stock of his resources and plunging ahead. Anthony Alegrete portrays his struggles and achievements with heart in full view on the proverbial sleeve and his energy level locked in at ‘turbo-charged. With co-author Holly Baker he has crafted a must-read for anyone fighting their way through the jungle.
- GenresNonfiction
278 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 2013
2 people are currently reading
454 people want to read
About the author
Anthony Alegrete
2 books25 followersAnthony Alegrete is veteran of multiple entrepreneurial endeavors, a master networker, an accomplished student, and a dedicated father.
In the past he pursued parallel lifelines. He worked at school, in real estate and the music industry while moonlighting in riskier lines of business. Bad luck and betrayal resulted in two stints in prison. The second time around Alegrete realized that he was putting too much effort into building a life for himself to allow things to unravel again.
Anthony made a new start in Las Vegas and worked hard to make name for himself at University of Nevada - Las Vegas. A recent graduate, he is now furthering his education by pursuing an Executive Masters in Business Administration.
Currently, he serves as Chief Operations Officer at Real Results Fitness and dedicates time and energy to Jump for Joy, his highly successful children’s health initiative.
Alegrete believes that it’s important to take the lessons from the past and move forward. In Rabbit in the Jungle, the author shares the things he’s learned along the way in the hope that others can also learn from the mistakes of his past and make better choices for their future.
You can find out more about Anthony Alegrete at his website: www.AnthonyAlegrete.com
www.facebook.com/RabbitintheJungle
In the past he pursued parallel lifelines. He worked at school, in real estate and the music industry while moonlighting in riskier lines of business. Bad luck and betrayal resulted in two stints in prison. The second time around Alegrete realized that he was putting too much effort into building a life for himself to allow things to unravel again.
Anthony made a new start in Las Vegas and worked hard to make name for himself at University of Nevada - Las Vegas. A recent graduate, he is now furthering his education by pursuing an Executive Masters in Business Administration.
Currently, he serves as Chief Operations Officer at Real Results Fitness and dedicates time and energy to Jump for Joy, his highly successful children’s health initiative.
Alegrete believes that it’s important to take the lessons from the past and move forward. In Rabbit in the Jungle, the author shares the things he’s learned along the way in the hope that others can also learn from the mistakes of his past and make better choices for their future.
You can find out more about Anthony Alegrete at his website: www.AnthonyAlegrete.com
www.facebook.com/RabbitintheJungle
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
June 6, 2013
This book is amazing. Even though I know Anthony personally I had no idea about him like this. I am truly honored to have Anthony as a friend and to read hist compelling story is truly inspiring. I highly recommend anyone that has ever gone through the struggle to read this book. Even people that just want good entertainment.
May 29, 2013
New York Times Best seller!
June 18, 2013
This was a great book about the trials and tribulations of a real man, his up and downs i would highly recommend it inspired me to be a better person.
May the rabbit beat the lion.
Tony Mixx
May the rabbit beat the lion.
Tony Mixx
June 15, 2013
Looking forward to reading this book in full. I have already read the introduction and it looks amazing.
Want to read
June 29, 2013I won the giveaway :D
Will update when I've read it.
Will update when I've read it.
August 21, 2013
Wow! I am really impressed by this book. I encourage every young man who is starting out in life and thinks the drug hustle is easy or a wise decision to make. This book shows how it is not. Teachers and especially mentors... should use this book in class and or counseling to encourage young people to have goals in life and to not get caught up in things that will end their life or their pursuit of happiness and well being. The content of this book is gold..I myself will be gifting this book to the young men in my life...who I know will be influenced by the street life. They should read about it instead of live it. This author not only provides the traps...but he provides solutions and escape routes. I never read a book like this before...It is taking real life situations and providing real life guidance to the reader. One could actually control the projectile of one's life by reading this book..that's what makes it amazing...It's not just a story ..it's a life manual. I must say the writing is kind of rigid and unedited at times but! there is gold and silver nuggets in this book...it is rich. #enjoy #Rabbitinthejungle #Idid
July 25, 2013
Anthony is a great example of how a person can make the right and wrong choices all at the same time but luckily came out on top and choosing to put the wrong behind him. The fact that he educated himself through out his life and learned that its better to take the high road impresses me more than anything. I hope the future holds nothing but good things for Anthony.
October 12, 2014
Anthony Alegrete lets the reader take part in his life, from the rough neighborhoods of LA, gang violence, police chases, prison riots, drug dealing and repercussions of street snitches - and the people he met: rap artists, criminals, celebrities, CEO's, academics, people dedicated to good causes in non-profit organizations and pretty much everyone in between.
His book describes a life, a thriller author could have come up with. He shows how he learned to make better decisions, into a life with a cause and how important family and friends are. His book is both: warning and at the same time motivation and encouragement for young people to do the right thing and stay away from gangs, drugs and crime.
He shows that struggles are never excuses to be complacent and not to do anything about circumstances, not to sit idly, hoping for change. He survived and in his book he gives a kind of road map how someone can turn negatives into a positive way of life.
The book starts dramatically, with a prison riot, shows why prisons are not working, that it is in fact a training ground for further criminal pursuits, often gets inmates even deeper into shady worlds. They become hardened and desensitized.
Alegrete: "The key to rehabilitation is investing in yourself. Educational programs, reading, reading and more reading. And exercise. When you are healthy, you make healthy decisions."
The author tells about his road from high school student to street hustler, his way through the penal system, to the halls of Academia.
The author gives examples, explains issues and gives tips at the end of each chapter. Readers can feel, he cares a lot for people in situations he once brought himself in and regrets to have missed parts of his young children's life.
.
Very lively written, sometimes I had to hold my breath, sometimes it was even humorous. A very interesting read, that keeps you in its ban, while learning about life "outside of the norm". Highly recommend Anthony Alegrete's story.
His book describes a life, a thriller author could have come up with. He shows how he learned to make better decisions, into a life with a cause and how important family and friends are. His book is both: warning and at the same time motivation and encouragement for young people to do the right thing and stay away from gangs, drugs and crime.
He shows that struggles are never excuses to be complacent and not to do anything about circumstances, not to sit idly, hoping for change. He survived and in his book he gives a kind of road map how someone can turn negatives into a positive way of life.
The book starts dramatically, with a prison riot, shows why prisons are not working, that it is in fact a training ground for further criminal pursuits, often gets inmates even deeper into shady worlds. They become hardened and desensitized.
Alegrete: "The key to rehabilitation is investing in yourself. Educational programs, reading, reading and more reading. And exercise. When you are healthy, you make healthy decisions."
The author tells about his road from high school student to street hustler, his way through the penal system, to the halls of Academia.
The author gives examples, explains issues and gives tips at the end of each chapter. Readers can feel, he cares a lot for people in situations he once brought himself in and regrets to have missed parts of his young children's life.
.
Very lively written, sometimes I had to hold my breath, sometimes it was even humorous. A very interesting read, that keeps you in its ban, while learning about life "outside of the norm". Highly recommend Anthony Alegrete's story.
August 13, 2013
I received a free copy of Rabbit in the Jungle through a Goodreads First Reads giveaway.
Anthony Alegrete's life story has potential to make a good book. Unfortunately, Rabbit in the Jungle doesn't match up to that potential. The biggest fault of the book is Alegrete's writing voice. It simply isn't relatable. The fact that my life experience bears little resemblance to Alegrete's should not keep his story from reaching me, but his writing is so idiomatic to him that I have a difficult time relating.
The tone of Alegrete's writing occasionally veers into strange territory. Twice, Alegrete offers tips to would-be criminals. First, he informs the reader of the best days of the week to get arrested. Then, he advises anyone living the hustler lifestyle to balance his wealth, rather than spending it all on one thing. Another odd part comes early on in the book...when Alegrete mentions his first few times in jail, rather than focusing on the seriousness of the situation, he vehemently complains about how the time in jail kept him from attending various parties. In a memoir of a man who has decided to reform himself, such references are bizarre at best and inappropriate at worst.
The self-help themed sections of the book – short postscripts that accompany nearly every chapter – are thought-provoking and profound. If only the rest of the book could come across the same way.
Anthony Alegrete's life story has potential to make a good book. Unfortunately, Rabbit in the Jungle doesn't match up to that potential. The biggest fault of the book is Alegrete's writing voice. It simply isn't relatable. The fact that my life experience bears little resemblance to Alegrete's should not keep his story from reaching me, but his writing is so idiomatic to him that I have a difficult time relating.
The tone of Alegrete's writing occasionally veers into strange territory. Twice, Alegrete offers tips to would-be criminals. First, he informs the reader of the best days of the week to get arrested. Then, he advises anyone living the hustler lifestyle to balance his wealth, rather than spending it all on one thing. Another odd part comes early on in the book...when Alegrete mentions his first few times in jail, rather than focusing on the seriousness of the situation, he vehemently complains about how the time in jail kept him from attending various parties. In a memoir of a man who has decided to reform himself, such references are bizarre at best and inappropriate at worst.
The self-help themed sections of the book – short postscripts that accompany nearly every chapter – are thought-provoking and profound. If only the rest of the book could come across the same way.
September 17, 2013
4.5 stars
Review to come.
Review to come.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews