"Brotherton and Barrios have raised the bar on street gang research.Their attentiveness to history, social
context, and patterns of social change within gangs over time combine the best of sociological and anthropological
methods. While criminologists will benefit from this extraordinary book, it should be required reading for all
students of American cities."
--Sudhir Alladi Venkatesh, Associate Professor of Sociology and African American Studies, Columbia University
"An empirical challenge and theoretical wake-up call to an all-but-moribund criminology. Classic insider sociology."
--John M. Hagedorn, University of Illinois at Chicago, Department of Criminal Justice
Publisher Web Site, September, 2004
Summary
From Los Angeles and New York to Chicago and Miami, street gangs are regarded as one of the most intractable
crime problems facing our cities, and a vast array of resources is being deployed to combat them. This book chronicles
the astounding self-transformation of one of the most feared gangs in the United States into a social movement
acting on behalf of the dispossessed, renouncing violence and the underground economy, and requiring school attendance
for membership.
What caused the Almighty Latin King and Queen Nation of New York City to make this remarkable transformation? And
why has it not happened to other gangs elsewhere? David C. Brotherton and Luis Barrios were given unprecedented
access to new and never-before-published material by and about the Latin Kings and Queens, including the group´s
handbook, letters written by members, poems, rap songs, and prayers. In addition, they interviewed more than one
hundred gang members, including such leaders as King Tone and King Hector. Featuring numerous photographs by award-winning
photojournalist Steve Hart, the book explains the symbolic significance for the gang of hand gestures, attire,
rituals, and rites of passage. Based on their inside information, the authors craft a unique portrait of the lives
of the gang members and a ground-breaking study of their evolution.
Table of Contents
Introduction
The Study
The Theory of Gangs
Politics and Gangs
Who are the Almighty Latin King and Queen Nation?
The Tradions of King Blood
Non-Gang Traditions I
Non-Gang Traditions II
The Level of Organization and Structure of the Latin Kings
