Following an introductory chapter with general information on gangs, a chapter examines some of the factors that should be used in the classification of gangs. A review of the milestones in gang literature precedes a current view among some gang authors regarding the societal conditions or the social context under which gangs emerge. A discussion of a related thesis about gangs involves the underclass and suggests a changing research agenda for gang analysis. Other topics to which chapters are devoted include the relationship of gangs to politics in America, oral history as a method of gang study, the writings of Shaw and McKay on gangs, and gangs as a predictable characteristic of American society. Other chapters consider the organization and manifestation of gangs throughout history, group characteristics of gangs, drug legalization as a technique for neutralizing gangs, and the differences between gangs and organized crime. Female gang members, Asian gang members, the family and the gang, community response to gangs, and the criminal justice system's response to gangs are also addressed. A 660-item bibliography, appended supplementary material, and author and subject indexes