Slugg: A Boy's Life in the Age of Mass Incarceration

by Tony Lewis Jr., K.L. Reeves

A Boy's Life in the Age of Mass Incarceration is a blueprint for survival and a demonstration of the power of love, sacrifice, and service. The son of a Kingpin and the prince of a close-knit crime family, Tony Lewis Jr.'s life took a dramatic turn after his father's arrest in 1989. Washington D.C. stood as the murder capital of the country and Lewis was cast into the heart of the struggle, from a life of stability and riches to one of chaos and poverty. How does one make it in America, battling the breakdown of families, the plague of premature death and the hopelessness of being reviled, isolated, and forgotten? Tony Lewis' astonishing journey answers these questions and offers, for the first time, a close look at the familial residue of America's historic program of mass incarceration. "Slugg is truly an incredible work. It is so beautifully written, powerful, poignant. A must read for us all." Dr. Heather Ann Thompson, Pulitzer Prize winning author of Blood in the the Attica Prison uprising of 1971 From School Library Journal When Lewis was two years old, his father was 19, a drug kingpin, and a millionaire. As a child, the author led a pampered life in a big house with cars, electronics, and the trappings of wealth, even going to private schools. At age nine, his life descended into chaos when his father was arrested and given a life sentence. Lewis’s mother became increasingly paranoid, finally succumbing to mental illness. This beautiful and important book holds page after page of insight and reflection about prison, choices, fatherhood, and connection. Lewis went from seeing his father every day to seeing him three times in the 13 years he was incarcerated. The young man struggles with his own demons and what he is going to make of his life. Eventually, he goes on to win national awards for community service, and readers cheer him on as he does. This book is a must buy. Amy Cheney, Librarian and founder of "In the Margins" book award. "Tony Lewis Jr. has a perspective like no other on the crack trade that decimated the nation's capital in the 80's and 90's. With this gripping memoir, Lewis relates an intimate history and portrays a side of Washington D.C. rarely seen." Joe Heim, The Washington Post "A modern day hero, Tony Lewis Jr has all the tools to lead us to a better tomorrow. This book promotes qualities that are lost in too many of our men. Slugg is essentially the story of a whole generation"-Wale, Grammy Nominated Artist “Tony’s story is one of incredible triumph against all odds after having his world crash down around him. He was thrust into poverty during one of the most desperate and horrific eras in the District of Columbia’s history, but he rejected his father’s life of crime and instead embraced community activism to improve his hometown and the lives of those around him.”—Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC)

Genres: Nonfiction

261 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 1, 2015

Reviews

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Slugg is the true story of Tony Lewis Jr's life growing up as the son of a drug kingpin in the Washington DC area. It is a harsh and breathtaking memoir of life inside the drug, gun, and street culture of 1980s Washington DC. Having moved to DC in the late 80s and reading about some of the key figures in the newspaper at that time, it rang especially true to me.

Lewis grew to understand that the criminal behaviors surrounding him weren't normal and, through the blessing of a good education (thanks to his mother and grandmother), focused his life on making a difference for young people and those returning home from incarceration. He continues his good and important work in DC today.

Having never lived this kind of life myself, I was moved by all that he has witnessed and endured in his young life. This book should be required reading for all adults, especially in the DMV area, to better understand the cultural and economic challenges that lead to a life of crime and open our eyes to ways we can make a difference.

[Elizabeth Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

SLUGG is a powerful memoir on the realities of having an incarcerated parent as well as growing up in DC during the 80s-90s. Tony Lewis Jr. describes his life as well as the lives of his family and friends that were surrounded with violence and poverty. This memoir shows a struggle that many experience in American cities and how many are forgotten in this country’s criminal legal system. I am incredibly moved by Lewis’s dedication to serving those in his community as well as giving those incarcerated and their families hope and opportunity. Tony Lewis Jr. not only gives much needed awareness to these major issues but also shows the reader a glimpse of his experience with love and loss.

[Ashyana]

Read for class

[Blaire Brachfeld · Rating 5 out of 5]

I grew up in the Maryland suburbs just 15 minutes outside Washington, DC, but my upbringing couldn't be in greater contrast to the coming of age story Tony Lewis Jr. details in this memoir. Growing up issues like poverty, drug addiction, mental illness, the prison system, and gun violence were just abstract problems to me. In this book, Lewis stares down each of these issues with gritty, intense clarity. He makes the subject matter accessible for readers from all walks of life. He makes the reader understand the "bigger picture" and reminds you how important it is to look deeper than the surface to understand our societal ills. He not only shares intimate details of his life, but he also puts in perspective the culture that pervades the pages. In my opinion it is a must read. It shows that with a strong moral compass, love, and faith even the most unlikely outcomes are possible. It reminds us all to give more, connect more, and love more. It is hard for men to be what they can't see and Tony is an example of a different path. He is a true peoples leader.

[Deborah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant book from start to finish. Does not glorify the DC drug life but gives you the real and long lasting consequences of the lifestyle and the individuals left to endure the hardships. Inspiring, educational and well written

[Jessica]

DC or nothing

[Imani · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very rarely do we hear stories akin to the one of Tony Lewis Jr. From being a child and having a loving family who made well over a million dollars by selling drugs in D.C., to losing all of that at the drop of a hat and having to deal with the subsequent fallout at the mere age of 9. As a child who grew up on Hanover which was a street riddled with violence, had to cope with the mental illness of his mother, and now cope with a physically absent father who was in prison, one can only imagine the toll those situations took on young Tony Lewis Jr. What’s most remarkable about this story is how resilient he was despite living in an environment that did not support anything other than the fast life of drugs and violence. Not only did he advocate for his community and bring programming to communities affected by incarceration, but he also still lives on Hanover, the same street he grew up on, to this day. He’s showing that you don’t need to distance yourself from your community, yet you can stay and be an example of what it looks like to overcome and do better.

[Shmi · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an interesting perspective from someone who was inside the actual history, but could see it from multiple perspectives, based on all of the complexities of his life and his personality. It was really interesting to read, and his experiences gave him a lot of humanity towards the causes he is working for, as he understands that the people he is dealing with are human. It’s not a fact that’s noteworthy in and of itself, but people tend to forget that when dealing with the ‘other,’ those outside of their own experiences. I’m really glad I read it, and I’m happy that someone like him has the position and platform to influence his community and the wider world around him.

[Donna · Rating 2 out of 5]

Tony Lewis Jr. has a compelling story that is worthwhile for everyone to hear and learn about. He also makes an effective agument for why we should examine and transform our criminal justice system.
Although I am grateful he shared his story, I only gave the book 2stars because the writing, organization and editing were poor. I think this would be one of those rare instances where the movie will be better than the book.

[Devan · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a good read, to get a different perspective of a success story out of the ghetto. Its pretty inspirational

[Lunden · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although this book wasn't captivating, the story of way too many black men, can be found here. Tony Jr. tells his story of growing up in the popular hood of Hanover, DC where he us, unwillingly, taught the streets. Battling to find his place, he deals with his fathers arrest and his mother's evolving mental illness. What is a young boy accustomed to everything via the drug money his dad had, no longer has his dad?

[Hamed Farmand · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having a family member in prison, is part of our life. I encourage you to read Slugg, as a Washingtonian, American, and human, who need to understand feelings and needs of children of incarcerated parents.
Slugg also give us an idea about racism in our current world.

[Cecelia · Rating 4 out of 5]

His story is interesting. But, I didn't love the book. It felt like he was trying to tell two stories in one, and I don't think he did so successfully. In the book, he interwines his life story with his critique on the criminal justice system. And, those two stories are obviously connected, and they both need to be told. But, the space of one book didn't allow enough time/room to fully develop both themes. I'd love to see a second book that delves more deeply into the war on drugs, necessary minimums, prison, and the criminal justice system.