Book Review: The Holly: Five Bullets, One Gun, and the Struggle to Save an American Neighborhood

Inspiring Story of the Life of a Former Gang Member

In The Holly: Five Bullets, One Gun, and the Struggle to Save an American Neighborhood Julian Rubinstein confronts gang violence in Denver. I have been a fan of Rubinstein’s writing for some time and I was pleased to find that The Holly is as good as or better than his first book, Ballad of the Whiskey Robber.

The Holly is the story of ex-gang member, Terrance Roberts. Roberts, then known as ShowBizz, had been a member of the Bloods, the gang that controlled an area of North East Denver whose hub was the Holly Square Shopping Center.

Rubinstein traces the history of the African American community in Denver and describes how Roberts went from being an honor student to a gang leader to an anti-gang activist. According to Rubinstein, Roberts grew up idolizing the members of the local gang, viewed as the defenders of his neighborhood. He eventually became a member himself and then went to prison for gang related violence.

During the 10 years that he spent in prison Roberts learned about the teachings of Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X. In 2004, when he was paroled, he committed himself to saving his neighborhood by preventing young people from becoming members of the gangs.

He started the Prodigal Son Initiative which gave children in the neighborhood a safe place to go that was away from gang influence. He also started an organization called the Cammo Movement which sought to end gang violence. Roberts became something of an authority on anti-gang violence contributing his expertise and energy to both local and national projects.

Roberts initially participated with local business and political leaders on community development and anti-violence projects. But he saw that the community development projects led to the gentrification of the neighborhood rather than to safer living conditions for existing residents. And he felt that there was too much police participation in the peacekeeping projects. He eventually stopped participating in these projects to focus on his own projects.

Because of his anti-gang violence efforts, Roberts was viewed with suspicion by the gang members. They accused him of being a snitch and he had reason to believe that his life was in danger. In 2013, prior to commencement of a peace rally that he had organized, Roberts shot Hasan “Munch” Jones. He claimed it was in self-defense but was charged with attempted murder, first-degree assault and possession of a weapon.

This is when Rubinstein inserts himself into the story. It may be unusual for a writer to go from third person historian to first person reporter in the same work. However, it works well here. Rubinstein grew up in Denver, although not near the Holly, and his personal recollections and observations add valuable texture to the story.

Based on his interviews with Roberts, gang members, local officials, policemen and others Rubinstein vividly describes all of the challenges that Roberts faced during the years prior to the shooting. While doing all he could to end the gang violence and to keep young kids from joining the gangs, Roberts dealt with the constant killings, gang members who were paid police informants, duplicitous fellow anti-gang activists, and local officials who marginalized his efforts to satisfy the desires of the business community.

The gripping denouement consists of Rubinstein’s description of how Roberts tries to hold his life together while awaiting trial and then his blow by blow description of the trial itself.

More than anything this is a book about one individual’s courage. Roberts was single-minded in his desire to help his neighbors have a better and safer life. And he was not going to let the gangs or the police or the local officials distract him from his goal. I cannot go so far as to describe a book about gang violence as a “feel good” story. But I will call this book inspiring. I give it 5 stars and recommend it for everyone.