The Rat That Got Away: A Bronx Memoir

by Allen Jones, Mark Naison

The Rat That Got Away is an inspiring story of one man's odyssey from the streets of the Bronx to a life as a professional athlete and banker in Europe, but it is also provides a unique vantage point on the history of the Bronx and sheds new light on a neglected period in American urban history.Allen Jones grew up in a public housing project in the South Bronx at a time- the 1950's- when that neighborhood was place of optimism and hope for upwardly mobile Black and Latino families. Brought up in a two parent household, with many neighborhood mentors, Jones led an almost charmed life as a budding basketball star until his teen years, when his once peaceful neighborhood was torn by, job losses, white flight and a crippling drug epidemic. Drawn into the heroin trade, first as a user, then a dealer, Jones spent four months on Rikers Island, where he experienced a crisis of conscience and a determination to turn his life around. Sent to a New England prep school upon his release, Jones used his basketball skills and street smarts to forge a life outside the Bronx, first as a college athlete in the South, then as a professional basketball player, radio personality and banker in Europe. A brilliant story teller with a gift for dialogue, Jones brings Bronx streets and housing projects to life as places of possibility as well as tragedy, where racism and economic hardship never completely suppressed the resilient spirit of its residents. A book that will change the way people view the South Bronx.

Genres: Memoir

224 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[Byron · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is one part vividly detailed portrait of the Bronx back before it got really fucked the fuck, before it caught fire during the world series, back when white people (aside from Necro) still lived in the projects, and one part interesting but not particularly enlightening story about how the author managed to escape, right as the area took a turn for the worse, via basketball skillz. He sold heroin, shot it up, robbed at least five people with a ginormous knife, spent time on Rikers Island, and then avoided getting buried underneath the prison, upstate somewhere, when his mom threw a fit in the courtroom. Then a mere matter of months later he was off at some boarding school, sharing a room with some rich white kid who probably had no idea he was fresh out the booty house. From there it was off to some college no one ever heard of and pro ball in Belgium, where I wonder if he crossed paths with Sexual Healing-era Marvin Gaye. It's an amazing story. Alas, some of the parts most interesting to a brother like me were kinda glossed over, probably because the guy is like 60 now and that wasn't the point of the book.

[Irwin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I took this book based on it being a featured pick on Shelfari. Not a bad memoir (not a great one either) about Allen Jones' transformation from Bronx born criminal to his ultimate redemption on the basketball court and in Europe, where he chose to make his home. He did illustrate rather well how his experiences as a self proclaimed street hustler did teach him lessons that served him well later in life. Decent portrayal of the decline of his Bronx housing project from middle class to dangerous and crime ridden.

[Bob Frey · Rating 3 out of 5]

As literature, this biography is not very well written. As a portrait of the author's life in the streets, it is hard-hitting and rough. As a rags-to-riches story, it is pretty effective. It has a good focus on not giving up, and a bit of emphasis on spirituality in a rugged life. I wish he didn't feel the need to pat himself on the back quite so often, though. Interesting book overall, and gave me some insight into an America I have never experienced.

[Malorie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Written by my favorite and most influential college professor, this is a story of a teenage boy, who gravitated towards the many negative influences surrounding him, but who, with support of many and his athletic prowess, "got away." The book intertwines some of my favorite subjects: basketball, the 50's and 60's, and the BX.

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yep! This was another good one that taught me about life for other people while I was growing up. An important book.

[Savannah]

i really did read this book and its not really for kids but if you would like to read you really should it has great details and the story is just awesome its a great book!

[Yolanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed it