The book defines a gang as a group (usually adolescents or young adults) who meet on a regular basis; they have a common name, rules, signs, colors, or symbols. Individually and collectively most or all of the members participate in illegal activities. The book contains a history of modern gangs and details on the major groups of gangs in the United States: Crips, Bloods, Hispanic-Latino Gangs, Asian/Southeast Asian Gangs, White Gangs, Folks, The People, Mexican Gangs, and miscellaneous others. A chapter on City to Rural Influence discusses how gangs expand and the impact of their expansion. Involvement in Gangs is the major topic of a chapter that examines persons at risk, reasons why people join gangs, and signs of gang involvement. Interpreting gang graffiti; personality traits of gang members; gang music; destructive cycles within the gang structure; and gang violence are some of the other aspects of gang activity covered in the book. It closes with a section on solutions and strategies for change. Footnotes, appendixes, bibliography, references