An American Summer

2020 J. ANTHONY LUKAS PRIZE WINNER From the bestselling author of There Are No Children Here comes a heartrending portrait of love and death in Chicago's turbulent neighborhoods. Over the past twenty years, Chicago has seen 14,033 homicides and around 60,000 gunshot injuries. What impact does this violence have on individuals and communities? Drawing on his extensive experience, Alex Kotlowitz chronicles a summer in the city, focusing on those who have survived the violence, revealing the resilience and fragility of the human heart and soul. The result is a captivating collection of intimate profiles that challenge our understanding of gun violence in America. Among the stories, we meet a man grappling with the consequences of killing a rival gang member as a teenager; a dedicated school social worker facing a student unwilling to testify about his best friend's murder; a witness to a wrongful police shooting haunted by his experience; and an aging former gang leader who creates a refuge for himself and friends. Through close, empathetic reporting, Kotlowitz offers a raw and honest portrayal of a city in crisis. These powerful narratives will resonate deeply and linger long after reading.