Review by Choice Review
Sociologist Flores (Loyola Univ.) explores the subject of gangs and gang proliferation from the complex perspective of individual recovery and social marginality. While the topic is generalizes most to the larger urban areas across the US, the author applies much of the text and data to the greater Latino areas of Los Angeles. His scholarly, thoughtful approach provides an infusion of spirituality and masculinity as essential variables from which each gang member may reach toward enlightenment, and a foundation on which one may build citizenship. Flores quite accurately identifies and discusses the critical variable of the historic treatment, interpretation, and labeling of Hispanics and their relationship to economic limitations and class creation, which is so glaring in Los Angeles. The author explains that within the barrio communities, the lawlessness that seems to have become one of the most resilient defining characterizations is the result of male resistance and struggle for respect and status. The redirecting of that masculinity and respected identity in the community, in concert with a spiritually based effort to escape gang life, is the essence of this well-developed work. Strongly encouraged for sociology and social work collections. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Upper-division undergraduates and above. R. M. Seklecki Minot State University
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Choice Review
