NPR

'An American Summer' Presents The Human Side Of Gun Violence In Chicago

Alex Kotlowitz's new book amplifies the words of those who have witnessed tragedy and makes their experiences available to readers — a chronicle that is painful but also necessary.
<em>An American Summer: Love And Death In Chicago</em>, by Alex Kotlowitz

In An American Summer, the reader is asked to ponder this: "In a good year in Chicago, roughly 2,000 people get wounded by gun fire, or five people a day, give or take. Some years the number has risen to over 4,000, or roughly one person every two hours."

Writer and filmmaker Alex Kotlowitz knows this. He has written about Chicago for most of his career. His book , which chronicles the lives of two boys struggling to survive in Chicago's

You’re reading a preview, subscribe to read more.

More from NPR

NPR2 min read
A Baltimore Bridge Collapse Timeline; Disney And DeSantis Settle Legal Battle
Two bodies were recovered from the Baltimore bridge collapse and investigators released a timeline of events. The Walt Disney Company and Gov. Ron DeSantis have settled their lawsuits.
NPR3 min readPopular Culture & Media Studies
The Baltimore Bridge Collapse Gave Conspiracy Theorists A Chance To Boost Themselves
One researcher says it has become "standard" for any unexpected event "to be run through a filter of conspiracy theories based on the personal brand of the person spreading the theory."
NPR3 min read
Kickoffs Will Look Radically Different In The NFL Next Year. Here's How And Why
For years, the NFL has tweaked kickoff rules to reduce injuries, resulting in kickoffs that were safer but more boring. The changes aim to re-introduce excitement while keeping injuries low.

Related Books & Audiobooks