Customer Reviews

Skinheads Shaved For Battle: A Cultural History of American Skinheads

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(8)

 

 

Mr. Moore obviously did his research on neo-nazi hate groups and white supremacy in America. However, he failed to recognize that the term "skinhead" is not synonymous with "nazi white-supremacist". The skinhead scene today in America (and during its beginnings in the UK) is not all about white power and racism. It is a gross generalization to assume that all skinheads are nazis. The skinhead movement originally centered around working-class pride - not white pride. When the neo-nazis came along, they tried to recruit followers from the scene, because they knew these kids were angry and proud kids who could fight, and this was the image they were looking for. Not all skinheads followed this movement of hate. Some ignored it and stayed true to their roots, while others lashed out against it (later forming groups such as SHARPs, Skinheads Against Racial Prejudice). Because the nazi-skins were the ones committing all the hate crimes, they were the ones who got all the press. Pretty soon, the media began using the term "skinhead" to mean nazi WP. While Mr. Moore wrote a well-composed and comprehensive book of racism and hate groups, he perhaps should have been more careful in his account. Todays skinheads come from all different ethnicities, including black, Asian, and Hispanic. To me, this book only further advocates a myth. It is not a correct account of the "american skin". Perhaps Mr. Moore should have preceded the word "skin" with the word "racist". It is important to differentiate, as there is an entire scene of kids who are misrepresented by such a false title.

I don't even want to give this book one star. It's not worth the paper it's printed on. First off, I'm not a skinhead, but I have done considerable sociological research in youth subcultures including the skinhead scene. Look, if you're going to write a book that claims to be "a cultural history", at least do a little bit of research first. The author interviewed a grand total of two neo-nazi skinheads and listened to a couple of records, and drew all of his conclusions from there. Basically, according to the author, everyone is a neo-nazi, and the skinheads who say they aren't, really are. So are punk rockers. So are rockabillys. So are skaters. If a kid isn't into gangsta rap, he is a nazi. That's this clown's basic point that he's making. I mean, for pete's sake, he says "The Ramones" are a nazi skinhead band. Sorry, Joey Ramone had a little too much hair to be a skinhead. And Jello Biafra of the Dead Kennedys is "an outspoken nazi"? Whatever. Jack Moore even admits he may be wrong in his book, but right at the begining he tells the reader that even if he is wrong, it's his book and he's going to write what he darn well pleases. Way to be objective. To sum it up, it's [junk]. Not even worth reading in the bathroom. Like I said, I'm not a skinhead but I have interacted with some of them before, and I will state for the record that there are plenty of non-political and even openly anti-nazi skinheads out there, and they come in all colors- white, black, asian, hispanic, Filipino, Jewish, etc. If you want a better book on the subject, try The Spirit of '69 by George Marshall.

In writing past reviews of books I've read for subculture studies in college, I have tried to give each book a fair shot because I understand that we all have our separate opinions. Well, this book deserves nothing of the sort. If I am to understand the system correctly now, I can publish a book without actually knowing anything about the subculture or the critics and receive royalties. I'm glad I'm wasting away in college when I could be out there writing ignorant accounts of groups I obviously know little about and getting paid for it! If you are really interested in Skinheads as a cultural phenomena, then don't buy this book. There are plenty others that will reveal to you the true nature of the skinhead subculture without the racially implicit biases against a group that isn't totally racist. Yes, there are gay and black skinheads Mr. Moore, but somehow you have overlooked this. I hope this helps deter you from purchasing this waste of wood.

I am a traditional skinhead, so who better to tell you about this book.I don't care who you are and what you do, nobody can tell what a real skinhead is and thinks if you don't live it.I AM NOT A RACIST.I do not like when people think that I am racist.Skinheads have been in existence way before the whole neo-nazi thing came along.This book only adds to the myth.If you want to write a book about racist skinhead then you have an obligation to tell the whole truth.The mayority of skinheads in the US and the rest of the world are skinheads becuase of our working class values and our jamaican and punk rock roots not white supremacy nonsence.Yes,there are people who call themself skinheads who are racists.I will not let these boneheads,the media and authors like this guy damage what is the greatest of all youth movements.If you really want to learn about skinheads,listen t some late sixties reggae records and some good old OI!Also try any of the George Marshall books,he covers all aspects of the sub-culture,even racist boneheads.OI!

I bought this book at a local bookstore, without reading anything about it, and was extremely displeased. The author knows very little about the true skinhead culture. Skinheads are completely non political. Obviously skinheads have political views (the majority of which are not racist or to the contrary, extremely non-racist), but the author seems to say that SKINHEADS are racist, a generalization which is in itself prejudice, but the fact of the matter is that PEOPLE are racist. Whether they shave their heads and wear steel-toed Doc Martins with their flight jackets is beyond the point. This man judges people on their appearance, and is a miserable human being because of it. I do not recommend purchasing this book to anyone.

By reading my fellow Trad Skins reviews of this book I have decided not to by it. Just looking at the cover made me wonder if it was good or just some idiot that is following every word the media says. Nazi's are not skinheads they are boneheads.I am not a nazi or a racist. I am a traditional Skinhead and I am not white this guy obviously has no clue about our scene or our heritage.

Why is it that every idiot that writes an exploitation book about "skinheads" forgets to research the subculture? Skinheads, for the most part died out by 1971 and the cult was almost totally based around fashion and reggae music. Yeah, REGGAE music. American nazi "skinheads" don't even resemble the super-sharp late 60's skins and shouldn't even be called skins.

The guy on the cover of this book is wearing buckeled boots that no self respecting skin would ever wear.

Dear academic guy,

Do your research.

This is, by far, one of the worst books available in regards to skinhead culture. Please, don't write an entire book about a subject that you obviously know NOTHING about. It's a real waste of everyone's time...including your own.

Jack Moore did a good job researching and reporting the history of the Skinhead movement. His observations on how the media came to a certain extent define Skinhead self-perception was also right on target. However, like most books written on subcultures, the author lacks the "inside" view. Throught the book I always got the impression he had never really attempted to submerge himself in the apathy, violence and lifestyle of the sub-culture he claimed to be documenting. Jack Moore's book is a good text for sociologists, but not for those really looking for an insiders view into the gritty underground that is Skinhead culture.

I think it was a good book, but the skinhead scene has branched out into so many different areas it is hard to write about. The evolution of skinheads, both White Power and others, has grown in so many different directions. Like any garden that goes unattended, both weeds and shrubs grow any direction they choose. Some choke out the others. The garden takes on its own life, not the life the gardener had originaly planned.