At its peak in the 1960's, the Vice Lords had approximately 10,000 members in at least 26 branches on Chicago's West Side. This book describes how the Lords relentlessly terrorized the black residents of Lawndale with harassment, murder, and gang warfare organized along military lines. The gang existed to manifest power over other gangs through violence, to bolster the self-esteem of members, and to justify doing and taking whatever struck the fancy of gang members. The author recounts how during his 2 years with the gang, his community-organizing skills helped the gang to become a community organization committed to improvement in the quality of community life. Although no formal evaluation was conducted of the gang's impact on the community, the results were clear; there was less crime, fewer homicides, "grass where there was glass," and storefront programs that served the community. Residents walked the streets freely, business owners appreciated safer streets, and young men dared to dream of a better life for themselves and their community.