Hustler's Calendar: City on Fire 2

"City on Fire" is a remarkably well written snapshot of the time period when crack cocaine addiction, financial greed, and mayhem ruled the inner city streets of Philadelphia Pa. This selected collection of stories vividly details the struggles people faced from 1980 through 1992. The plague of drugs, fast money, and violent crimes that blanketed the city is brought to life in this three part series of urban variance. "Hustlers Calendar, "City on fire 2," penetrates the vein of human struggles during the crack cocaine era and picks up right where volume one ended. In the story "Contender," Cazelar "Minute" Delibeche is now running the corner his murdered brother once ruled. His brothers' violent death at the hands of drug rivals has to be avenged. In his attempt to regain the strong hold on his corner he loses interest in boxing, and battles dissension and loyalty among his crew members. Continuing with "Morning Commute," Malik Jacobson survives the harsh world of boot camp life. His experience at camp has hardened his perspective on authority figures and life. The death of his friend and bunk mate, and the abusive brutality he and other juveniles' faced in camp proves to be a pivotal role in his early release. Returning home, he quickly realizes that the streets are always in pursuit as he finds himself embroiled in a life threatening situation. "Sixxx," continues along with Troy Akers in hot pursuit of Constance, his latest lust interest whose seductive maturity reels him into a unique request from her. His relationship hardships and testosterone driven sexcapades come full circle when he is confronted by an unexpected "fling" from his past. Anderson V. Bernard masterfully blends the second part of this tale of urban variance. His engrossing stories reflect a mirror image on an era that all of America won't soon forget.