Encyclopedia of Gangs

Although the study of gangs has become increasingly popular, this is the first encyclopaedia of gangs produced in the USA. The editors, Louis Kontos a sociologist from Long Island University, and David Brotherton a sociologist from John Jay, “illuminate the world of gangs” by offering us 100 essays on the various facets of gangs and gang culture. Both have pedigree in the field (see Kontos et al., 2003) and approach the subject matter from a cultural criminology perspective. This is very much a sympathetic treatment, with the authors arguing persuasively, but not exclusively, that the “problem” of gangs...