NCJ Number
147274
Journal
Wilson Library Bulletin Volume: 66 Issue: 7 Dated: (March 1992) Pages: 98-99,122
Date Published
1992
Length
3 pages
Annotation
Five recent books that deal with the subject of youth violence and gang activity, in particular, are reviewed.
Abstract
This is the third in a series of surveys of books about the problems of adolescents. In this issue, some of the latest books on the epidemic of teen violence are reviewed. "Do Or Die," by Leon Bing provides a view of life in Los Angeles street gangs through as seen by former and current gang members, and some staff members from the juvenile justice system. The desperation and sense of worthlessness that these youths feel and their desensitization to death and killing is communicated. "Street Gangs: Gaining Turf, Losing Ground" explores historical and current gangs throughout the world through ten essays by international experts. Highlighted are essays on Asian gangs now infiltrating the United States, Vietnamese refuge teens and California street gangs. This book is recommended for school assignments because of its index, biographical sketches of the essayists and annotated bibliography. An excellent source of facts, statistics and information on teen violence is "Teen Violence," written by Susan Lang. Causes of teen violence are explored and solutions are proposed. This is also recommended as an excellent research source. A much less readable source of information is Daryl Sander's "Focus on Teens in Trouble: A Reference Handbook." Finally, Richard Wormser's "Lifers Learn the Truth at the Expense of Our Sorrow" discusses the program made famous in the 1979 documentary "Scared Straight." Juvenile offenders and college criminal justice students are followed as they participate in sessions with lifers at East Jersey State Prison in Rahway, New Jersey. The program is an attempt to save youths who are on a destructive path by letting them hear hardened murderers describe daily life in prison and their own mistakes and regrets.