Gangs and Their Tattoos: Identifying Gangbangers on the Street and in Prison (Paperback)

by Bill Valentine (Author), Robert Schober (Illustrator) "Intelligence on active gangbangers is derived from many sources..." (more)
Key Phrases: lucrative prison rackets, specific tattoos, prison gang members, Mexican Mafia, United States, Nuestra Familia (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
In this book, Bill Valentine, author of Gang Intelligence Manual, shares the latest intelligence on the predominant street and prison gangs and other disruptive groups, with particular emphasis on their identifying tattoos. Supplementing the text are scores of detailed illustrations by Correctional Officer Robert Schober that replicate some of the most common tattoos worn by members of each of the groups discussed. This groundbreaking work makes a substantial amount of previously classified information available to the general public for the first time. In addition to presenting the latest intel on white, black, Hispanic and Asian gangs, it also includes new information on groups such as the White Afrikaner Resistance Movement and the Russian Mafia, which add to the mounting challenge faced by those laboring to hold the line against the menace posed by gangs, hate groups and organized crime.

Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Paladin Press (November 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1581600992
• ISBN-13: 978-1581600995
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #249,088 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Highly Disappointed, May 26, 2007

By	Erin Michael Vondrak "schismatica" (Redlands, CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The concept behind this book is good enough, but unfortunately, not only is the writing mediocre, but the drawings are subpar and the drive of the book seems to be towards informing frightened people who want to know who, of the people around them, are "gang members" or "dangerous." What's unfortunate is that, for example, dragons and tigers are outlined as "gang" tattoos for Asians with dangerous lifestyles, which, while that is relevant, it is problematic because it is not pointed out that not *all* Asians with those as tattoos are dangerous. I imagine that anyone who is reading this to "identify gangbangers on the street" around them, aside from, say, security guards or similar individuals, will give into fear and judge those around them with tattoos because of what they read in this book. But as I said. The writing has errors in it, such as the constant misspellings of Teotihuacán, and gems like saying that Asians get tattoos of dragons and tigers because those animals are native to Asia. (Tigers, maybe. Dragons? Better wording is in order.)

In sum, I have read much better books on the topic and not only because they contained better data, but because they were written and/or illustrated more professionally.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Symbolism Too, May 12, 2005

By	Terisa Green "www.tattoosymbol.com" (Los Angeles, CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Although this is not going to end up in every tattoo enthusiast's library, it ended up in mine when I was looking into symbolism. If you ever wanted to see tattoos that really have something to say, you'll see them here.

18 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Gangs and Their Tattoos : Identifying Gangbangers on the Str, July 30, 2001

By	"onetom3" (Northwest, USA) - See all my reviews

This book was simply, great. As a Gang Investigator I found this book to be extremely accurate, up-to-date and highly valuable. This book gives you concrete identifiers that have remained constant in some gangs for 20+ years. I have personally seen some of these tattoos on gang members. This is probably THE manual to have if this is your field. You can not get any more specific information outside of the law enforcement relm.