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War of the Bloods in My Veins: A Street Soldier's March Toward Redemption
By turns harrowing, moving, and ultimately redemptive, this is a war story -- a war that rages out of control on the streets of the United States, claiming the lives of our loved ones and neighbors. In this memoir, complete with child soldiers, unspeakable violence, and eventual salvation, we witness the journey of an East Coast member of the notorious Bloods gang coming to terms with the lost boy he was and the transformation into the man he wants to become.
Unlike the child warriors of Mozambique and Sierra Leone, gang members and the wars they wage are the United States' homegrown nightmare. Lacking protection, support, or any alternatives, Dashaun Morris is forced into battle for the first time at age eleven, in the streets of Phoenix, when a friend's older brothers put him in a car filled with 40s and weed smoke, put a gun in his hands, then make him point it at the men on the corner and squeeze the trigger. The targets are Crips, of course, and, as Morris writes, "In the darkness of the streets, my childhood is murdered.... I am reborn -- a gangster."
In this haunting, violent memoir, Morris takes us through an American childhood turned grotesquely inside out. In the fourth grade, he loses his first friend in a drive-by shooting. By high school he is the man, a champion on the football field by day and a reputable banger on his 'hood turf by night.
Living the life of a gang banger, Morris does it all -- drug dealing, jacking, and continuing the aimless war with rival gang members -- almost opening fire one night on a close friend, a cheerleader, as she hangs out with young men he mistakes for Crips.
He eventually makes it to college on a football scholarship, but on the verge of being drafted by the NFL, Morris can't escape his gang-banging mentality and gets caught up in crimes that snatch away all future hopes. Sitting in a prison cell, he anticipates the birth of his first child while counting the friends he's buried.
War of the Bloods in My Veins is part of Morris's redemption, a cry to his brothers that gang life is mental illness. It is a rare and brutally honest look into the relentless storm of abandonment, violence, crime, death, and the endless rush toward the complete and utter self-annihilation that plagues the lives of the young "soldiers" who die every day in our streets.
240 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2008
18 people are currently reading
364 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
January 19, 2018
DaShaun Morris's story is one with which many people are familiar: broken home, broken neighborhoods, internalized rage, and seduced by the power and relative affluence offered by the criminal streets. To those who have gone beyond stereotypes and political tropes to truly research the symptoms of the black community's struggle, Morris's story is unfortunately not new.
Still, there is a difference between knowing the story and hearing it from the source, and reading War of the Bloods in My Veins was saddening and powerful. Starting from his time relocating from New Jersey to Phoenix and being scooped up by the local Blood set literally because of where he lived, to establishing his own set as a teenager on the East Coast, to his rise and fall in collegiate athletics, Morris's story is raw and unadulterated.
If you're looking to learn about the Blood gang itself, this is not the book you are looking for. You may pick up a scant few things here and there, but this is not an exposé on the actual gang. It is a journey that explores societal fault lines from a personal perspective, and it does a very solid job of doing just that.
My only complaint about the book is that near the end, the timeline of events gets a bit confusing. The editor should have asked clarity questions to solidify the story and make it bulletproof. However, while this is a fault, it is not enough of a fault to keep War of the Bloods in My Veins from being a powerful read that I personally could not put down.
If you're looking to learn about the conditions of what creates a gang banger and want to take an inside look into the harsh realities of gangsta life, read Morris's book. You won't regret it.
Still, there is a difference between knowing the story and hearing it from the source, and reading War of the Bloods in My Veins was saddening and powerful. Starting from his time relocating from New Jersey to Phoenix and being scooped up by the local Blood set literally because of where he lived, to establishing his own set as a teenager on the East Coast, to his rise and fall in collegiate athletics, Morris's story is raw and unadulterated.
If you're looking to learn about the Blood gang itself, this is not the book you are looking for. You may pick up a scant few things here and there, but this is not an exposé on the actual gang. It is a journey that explores societal fault lines from a personal perspective, and it does a very solid job of doing just that.
My only complaint about the book is that near the end, the timeline of events gets a bit confusing. The editor should have asked clarity questions to solidify the story and make it bulletproof. However, while this is a fault, it is not enough of a fault to keep War of the Bloods in My Veins from being a powerful read that I personally could not put down.
If you're looking to learn about the conditions of what creates a gang banger and want to take an inside look into the harsh realities of gangsta life, read Morris's book. You won't regret it.
January 26, 2023
Admittedly I did not finish this book. The story itself is compelling and needs to be told, but the writing style itself was not for me. For a memoir, when things happened is very unclear, there was a point where I had started assuming he had graduated high school only to realize he had not and was still in school. It is almost stream of consciousness, which is strange for a memoir.
It is good and important, but not for me.
It is good and important, but not for me.
December 23, 2007
War of the Bloods In My Veins is an eye opener! Reading this book gave me a whole new understanding of what might be going on in our kids’ lives and minds that could drive and trap them into the nightmarish culture of a gang. I never really knew why and how they joined, or realized how the “occupational hazards” of membership—the violence, the drug abuse, the crime, the lack of value for human life be it their own or anyone else’s—are actually mentally and emotionally traumatizing to them as individual human beings. Eventually, this unattended recklessness finds a way to touch all our lives.
But War of the Bloods In My Veins is neither a “poor me” story, nor a glorification of the warped behavior of this segment of American society. Rather, it is an alarm being sounded, a spotlight being shined on the horrific reality of the twisted mentality, inner pain, unhealthy environment, and seemingly hopeless conditions that our youth struggle to survive every day—often without consistent, positive support, guidance, resources, or alternatives.
DaShaun Jiwe Morris was blessed to find a constructive direction for his life. But for the many still stuck in the clenches of destructive gang life, sweeping change—both internal and external—is critical to fixing this American problem. Not more prisons, not more judgment, and not more indifference; but sensitivity, compassion, and our collective commitment as a people to get involved and create real solutions. It’s time to move beyond all the philosophical rhetoric and just tell people exactly what they can do to make a difference. War of the Bloods In My Veins inspires me to give serious thought to this serious issue.
But War of the Bloods In My Veins is neither a “poor me” story, nor a glorification of the warped behavior of this segment of American society. Rather, it is an alarm being sounded, a spotlight being shined on the horrific reality of the twisted mentality, inner pain, unhealthy environment, and seemingly hopeless conditions that our youth struggle to survive every day—often without consistent, positive support, guidance, resources, or alternatives.
DaShaun Jiwe Morris was blessed to find a constructive direction for his life. But for the many still stuck in the clenches of destructive gang life, sweeping change—both internal and external—is critical to fixing this American problem. Not more prisons, not more judgment, and not more indifference; but sensitivity, compassion, and our collective commitment as a people to get involved and create real solutions. It’s time to move beyond all the philosophical rhetoric and just tell people exactly what they can do to make a difference. War of the Bloods In My Veins inspires me to give serious thought to this serious issue.
December 31, 2008
Street Soldier
"War of the Bloods in My Veins" chronicles the life of DaShaun Morris. His story starts with him being 9 years old and having to move to Phoenix and live with his aunt to going to school and feeling as if he has no choice but to join a gang because of the war between the gangs on the streets. It explains how he is initiated into a gang, the feeling the gang represents to him, the feeling of belonging and family, how he gets caught up in gang activities from gunning down anyone in affiliation with a rival gang, and the friends he loses. This is the story of one man's pain and personal hell.
This was a difficult story for me to read, considering that this is a true story. It is so sad to see or hear of a child involved in so much violence and self destruction. In some ways I felt bad for young DaShaun, but then I began to get angry because of all the lives that were taken and it seems as if legally and on the streets he has gotten away with it. This is a bold book to have written considering he is writing about accounts of his life that are illegal and the murders he has committed. It’s nice to know that he has changed his life, but what about the ones that were killed in cold blood because they wore the wrong color? They will never have the chance to change their lives. I guess the lesson to be learned in reading this book is for young kids to avoid getting involved in a gang.
Reviewed by: LeonaR
"War of the Bloods in My Veins" chronicles the life of DaShaun Morris. His story starts with him being 9 years old and having to move to Phoenix and live with his aunt to going to school and feeling as if he has no choice but to join a gang because of the war between the gangs on the streets. It explains how he is initiated into a gang, the feeling the gang represents to him, the feeling of belonging and family, how he gets caught up in gang activities from gunning down anyone in affiliation with a rival gang, and the friends he loses. This is the story of one man's pain and personal hell.
This was a difficult story for me to read, considering that this is a true story. It is so sad to see or hear of a child involved in so much violence and self destruction. In some ways I felt bad for young DaShaun, but then I began to get angry because of all the lives that were taken and it seems as if legally and on the streets he has gotten away with it. This is a bold book to have written considering he is writing about accounts of his life that are illegal and the murders he has committed. It’s nice to know that he has changed his life, but what about the ones that were killed in cold blood because they wore the wrong color? They will never have the chance to change their lives. I guess the lesson to be learned in reading this book is for young kids to avoid getting involved in a gang.
Reviewed by: LeonaR
May 16, 2010
The first third was excellent, really among the best in the ex-gangster memoir genre (spanning from Henry Hill to Sanyika Shakur). Morris' ruthless examination of his early childhood and its various dislocations and traumas was not only engaging and insightful, but also revealed a unique voice. Jeff Johnson was right to highlight this aspect in his introduction.
However, as the book moved on to later events, it lost focus and eventually began to seize on a number of cliches to reach a fitful and unsatisfying conclusion. (This may also have been a result of the various editions the book had been through before finally landing at Simon and Schuster.) I suppose Morris doesn't have enough distance between these later events and his present self, otherwise I think he'd have much more to say.
However, as the book moved on to later events, it lost focus and eventually began to seize on a number of cliches to reach a fitful and unsatisfying conclusion. (This may also have been a result of the various editions the book had been through before finally landing at Simon and Schuster.) I suppose Morris doesn't have enough distance between these later events and his present self, otherwise I think he'd have much more to say.
November 5, 2010
Book review.
War of the Bloods in my veins.
Campanella
English 3
This is an amazing book. It shows a hard physical and mental struggle DaShaun (main character) had to go through. A mental struggle of what’s right and what the gang thinks is right. He was a legit gang member at the age of 9. The first time he held a gun and shot it at a person. He is a young Blood. He doesn’t really know what’s going on is life. And besides the fact that he is miles away from his mother, and he doesn’t even know his father. Physical struggle because of all the “tests” the gang puts him through like running every time there’s a shooting and the police come. He used all drugs by the age of 13 and lost a few homies.
I choose this book because I use to be able to relate to that kind of life. But really the cover looked appealing so I choose it. And im very happy I did.
War of the Bloods in my veins.
Campanella
English 3
This is an amazing book. It shows a hard physical and mental struggle DaShaun (main character) had to go through. A mental struggle of what’s right and what the gang thinks is right. He was a legit gang member at the age of 9. The first time he held a gun and shot it at a person. He is a young Blood. He doesn’t really know what’s going on is life. And besides the fact that he is miles away from his mother, and he doesn’t even know his father. Physical struggle because of all the “tests” the gang puts him through like running every time there’s a shooting and the police come. He used all drugs by the age of 13 and lost a few homies.
I choose this book because I use to be able to relate to that kind of life. But really the cover looked appealing so I choose it. And im very happy I did.
August 19, 2013
Great book! Kept me at the edge of my seat wanting more. A must read
October 4, 2025
I know lives are like the author's life as a young child, but it really made me sad. When you think of the development of a child's brain and you think of the things the author did at that age, it doesn't compute in my brain. I can't even begin to imagine the words and feelings that the author describes with the first shooting, never mind the abuse and disinterest towards him that he experienced in day to day living. How does a young child assimilate that drastic of an act into their existence? I know it's survival and you do what you've got to do, and you seek what you need from places that don't have your best interests at heart, but damn.
After reading most of the story and finding out the author went to college and was a prospect for the NFL, I was hoping that all this would be a way out. Even after he was reinstated after being dismissed from college, I hoped that things would be fine and work out for him. But how does one drop a life and feelings without any real help and support, and dismiss completely the 'go to' response to a crisis. I suppose after reading more, maybe that was the blessing, the 'go to' response. Maybe the NFL would have been too much. Who knows?
Either way, prison seemed to be the best option for the author which seemed to allow him to think and gain some clarity into his life and where he would be headed if he continued on his path, and to where he really wanted to go, given that he had some choices before him. I'm glad things worked out and I hope his speaking engagements, his wife and daughter, are the supports he needs to keep him moving forward and experiencing more and more growth.
After reading most of the story and finding out the author went to college and was a prospect for the NFL, I was hoping that all this would be a way out. Even after he was reinstated after being dismissed from college, I hoped that things would be fine and work out for him. But how does one drop a life and feelings without any real help and support, and dismiss completely the 'go to' response to a crisis. I suppose after reading more, maybe that was the blessing, the 'go to' response. Maybe the NFL would have been too much. Who knows?
Either way, prison seemed to be the best option for the author which seemed to allow him to think and gain some clarity into his life and where he would be headed if he continued on his path, and to where he really wanted to go, given that he had some choices before him. I'm glad things worked out and I hope his speaking engagements, his wife and daughter, are the supports he needs to keep him moving forward and experiencing more and more growth.
March 13, 2021
Dawhawn Morris shares what it's like growing up as a Blood gang member. Where Dashawn grew up, you had to pick a side Blue or Red. He moved around, never knew his Dad, and had many challenges as he fought to survive. A very engaging read for those that want to learn about bangin' with the Bloods.
April 24, 2021
Wow! What a read thrilling and fascinating! I felt like the author provided an amazing insight into gang life!
September 21, 2009
This is not the story of his redemption. This is the story of everything leading to it. DaShaun's tale is torturous but honest. There is less emotional outpouring and more just telling it like it was for him as a gang banger on the streets of various cities. It's not pretty but a look worth taking into a world you may know nothing about.
May 10, 2015
This was a great read, until about two thirds in, when it slowed down and seemed to derail from the original story. The ending left me wondering what had happened, where such an interesting memoir went wrong. I would have easily given the book 4 or 5 stars, had it kept the pace it set in the beginning.
October 11, 2011
the author really pours his soul in this bio. You get a good story of everything he faced that shaped him to be the kind of person he is now. Defiantly a good book for those who love a good trial and tribulation story.
April 29, 2013
Horrible book. I got it for $3 from a clearance bin at B&N. I actually put it in the trash. I'd normally have donated it but I felt like I had to protect society from this. This book may be the single argument I can think of in support of book burning.
July 17, 2008
I would not have made it in a gang.
September 14, 2008
I learned many things while reading this book--one being that if we perservere and remain diligent, we can turn our downfalls into glories.
November 8, 2008
Great for my students- story about a man who is involved in the gang life and blows his opportunity at the NFL because of his lifestyle.
January 27, 2009
What i learned from this book is that even though you start your life out bad you can still change it in a long run
April 21, 2009
Amazing catalog of one man's descent into gang life and everything that goes with it
Read
May 29, 2009So far this book is good. its so street i love it.
Currently reading
May 29, 2009i just started reading this book and it was recomanded to me by one of my classmates and i started to read it but not enough to explain what is going on but when i do i would give u another update
January 1, 2011
Amazingly candid and sometimes self-critical portrayal of the social and emotional causes of gang life.
July 29, 2011
Dumbest book ever read. Nothing more than a gangbanger's campfire tales of killing.
November 24, 2016
Read as a case study for grad school
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews