GANGS - A Guide to Understanding Street Gangs

By Al Valdez and L. Valdez

No Synopsis Available.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0915905620
• ISBN13: 9780915905621
• Release Date: October 1997
• Publisher: Sunbelt Pubns
• Length: 456 Pages
• Weight: 1.45 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.3" x 1.0" x 5.5"

Customer Reviews

criminal justice professor

This is a great book! Al Valdez has done an excellent job of summarizes the existing gang information avaliable. It is an easy to read book, that is valuable to law enforcers, educators, students, or interested citizensDetective Valdez has also included gangs that are generally not covered in other similar books. He writes about occult gangs, and militias.I highly recommend this to anyone intersted in learning more about gangs in the U.S.

This is a very useful resource

This book gives all the information you need to know for a quick and thorough understanding of gangs. I have been fortunate to meet Al Valdez and he knows his stuff! Whether you are a cop, like me, or a parent, like me, this is a book you need. His unique insight and writing ability give you practical information and advice from the real world.

If I had to choose one book on gangs this is it!

Outstanding!! I have read several text on gangs in my 18 years of law enforcement experience, this one is the best one yet. The book is not only informative but easy to follow and entertaining as well. Mr. Valdez covers the history and main identifiers of basically every major gang in this country. If you know nothing about gangs, this is an excellent book for a beginner. If you thank you know all there is to know about gangs, read this book and learn how much more there is to know.

NEW EDITION AVAILABLE

3rd edition out September 2000, over 200 photos

From an Ex-Gang Member

I am an ex-gang member and I have read this book, written by Al Valdez. Before I write about the contents of the book, I would like to say something about the author. Al Valdez along with his special target gang unit were harassing me for a long time in the neighborhood, but to my surprise the target unit wasn't about putting me in jail, but giving me a chance to escape. Thanks to the motivation of this man and his special unit, I have been able to leave the gangs and create a new start on life. The book was extremely well written and is true in all of its aspects. I recommend this book to all parents who are struggling to comprehend their child's decision to live on the wild side. I recommend this book to teachers who are not coming from the surrounding community in which they teach and who are attempting to understand the life styles and decisions of their pupils. Finally, I recommend this book to law enforcement agents and large companies in order for them to better work with the community and to better comprehend the people they are working for and with.