Dangerous Attraction

Customer Reviews:

Disappointing.......2007-05-22

This was written more like a newspaper article than a book. Didn't get to know the victims very well-just here they are - they killed them. I can't believe these girls had such low self esteem to let these immature losers treat them like they did. And the mother! Such a loser- hanging on to these weirdos as if she had no life of her own.

Excellent very disturbing -- this guy is a true monster........2006-08-25

I thought this book was great so good that I will be looking up more books from this author.I have read alot of these kinds of books and at a certain point in the story they start saying the same thing over and over but in different words,not this author.I found it so good and was so pulled in that I re-read some pages over a couple of times because I found this guy a true monster but it's also the way this guy Robert Scott writes,I'm scared to know that there are people out there like this ,your put in the story into the pages with these people into there life.How sad for this girl's family,if you like books like true crime than you will really like this one,I have never been intrested in the neo nazi gangs before, and if not for the writer being so good I would of put it down on the first page but instead I stayed up and read it and couldn't put it down until I new the ending and if justice was going to be served or not.I recommend this book and will be getting more books by Robert Scott and hope they are just as good.

A very interesting read.......2005-05-10

How far will a mother go to protect her adult son from a murder charge? Sometimes, pretty far, as is revealed in the book Dangerous Attraction, by Robert Scott.

Twenty year old Katrina Montgomery was a lovely and warm young woman who was also a very beloved member of her family. None of her family is sure why she began to hang out with the lethal street gang in Ventura, CA. called the Skin Head Dogs. It appears that Katrina felt some sort of thrill involved with "taking a walk on the wild side."

Katrina befriended a member of the gang, the tattooed and drug abusing Justin Merriman, who himself was also twenty years of age and was doing time for the assault of a correction's officer. Katrina and Justin spent much time writing letters back and forth to each other until the day that Justin's time had been served and he was released.

Justin came out of prison with the impression that Katrina was his girlfriend, but that is not the way that she saw it. At a gang party on Thanksgiving of 1992, Katrina proceeded to get herself quite intoxicated and ended up at Justin's family home along with two other of the gang members. In Justin's bedroom, she was taken and raped by Justin right in front of his buddies. He then stabbed her in the neck with a knife, beat her over the head with a heavy wrench, then finally cut her throat. Her body was never found.

It was not until six years later, when he was stopped for a bike riding violation by police and ran, that he was caught.....and even that was after a wild chase and a harrowing seven hour standoff.

So, where does Justin's mother fit in?

Beverlee Sue Merriman had her own ways. She did everything within her powers to protect her son, no matter what the consequences were to her. She made sure to keep in close contact with Justin's other skinhead gang buddies, to ensure that no one would "talk." She ended up doing her son more harm than she would ever imagine.

This case had grown cold by the time the police had finally gathered enough evidence to bring Justin to trial, where the jury concluded that he was to die by lethal injection at San Quentin Prison in California.

This is a very well written true crime book. Robert Scott, also the author of Rope Burns and Like Father, Like Son, has done an excellent job of laying out this story which occurs over an eight year time span. Fans of true crime will find this story of murder, along with all of the terrorizing used to keep the gang members silent, to be a very interesting read.

Enlightening.......2004-02-18

This is an unusual true crime story -- it takes the reader inside of gangs, including prison gangs. This story is about a young woman who was raised in a decent home with a good family, but for some reason decided to get involved with a guy in prison who was also a gang member. After he got out, she tried to cut ties with him. She wound up dead, and the killing was so senseless. The loser who killed her still lived with his mother, who covered up the crime and wound up going to jail herself as a result. This book is very easy to read, it's not that long, and it is a good story that I wish every high school kid would read. It does not put "the wild side" in a very good light.

Average customer rating:

one sided garbage
Very Good.
The best
Outstanding!
THIS IS THE MOST ONE SIDED BOOK I HAVE EVER READ

Skinhead Street Gangs
Loren W. Christensen
Manufacturer: Paladin Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0873647564

Book Description

Written from a cop's view, this book explains who the skinheads are, who their targets are, why they are so violent, how and where they operate, what weapons they favor and what danger they pose to society and police.

Customer Reviews:

one sided garbage.......2002-01-02

This book only briefly explains the SHARP skins..( anti rascist skinheads) but throughout upholds the image that all skinheads are rascist..making it seem that only a few are non rascist...this is wrong. The original roots of skinhead culture were anti rascist who believed in pride and support for the working class , family , friends , beer , and standing up for whats right. This repeats over and over "skinheads are violent individuals who believe in destroying culture different than their own"..this is just the media's attempt to destroy the skinhead name. Throw it in the fire with all the other hype books.

Very Good........2001-05-31

This is an excellent tome for understanding the under workings of Skinhead street gangs. The book delves into Right-wing (Neo-Nazi), Left-Wing (SHARPS, Anarcho-skins) and non-political skins.

Written from by a police officer that's been in the middle of it since darn near day one, this book is true to it's description of being a "crash course" into this violent underworld.

If you want to be informed, check it out.

The best.......2000-01-06

... Skinhead Street Gangs is the most complete book on the subject. In his new book, Gangbangers, Christensen writes more on all factions of skinheads. Both books are excellent and I recommend them to cops, parents and others who work or live around gangs.

Outstanding!.......1999-07-20

This is a one-of-a-kind book, like no other one on the subject on the market. It's mostly about racist skins but there is plenty about antiracists, too. It's not a historical read on the subject, but rather a book that provides an in-depth insight to how skins think, act and what they want. I recommend it to students writing a paper, police officers and community folks. Those who haven't liked the book are those skins of a particular set who feel they have been slighted.

THIS IS THE MOST ONE SIDED BOOK I HAVE EVER READ.......1999-07-07

Not only did Loren Christensen totaly forget the traditional skinhead, or the roots so deeply embeded in the working class. He forgot to mention that these misled youth are not skinheads at all, its just a title that the media and himself like to pin on these kids because they dont know much more than that. I wouldnet have even gave this boo one star but thats as low as i was allowed to go.

Blood in the Face: The Ku Klux Klan, Aryan Nations, Nazi Skinheads, and the Rise of a New White Culture

Average customer rating:

Scary things to learn
Jorge Boosh = Right Winger and Racist?
Attack the Right...and TOTALLY ignore Leftist murderers
Detailed, Well Written, Excellent
Interesting; go check out the videotape

Blood in the Face: The Ku Klux Klan, Aryan Nations, Nazi Skinheads, and the Rise of a New White Culture
James Ridgeway
Manufacturer: Thunder's Mouth Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Social Sciences | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 156025100X

Book Description

Updated to incorporate information on the Oklahoma City bombing and the militia movement, this in-depth study of the rise of white supremacists and religious fundamentalists traces the history of such movements, their tactics, and their impact.

Customer Reviews:

Scary things to learn.......2007-01-15

I had to buy this book for a U.S. Minority Group Sociology class, and I loved it. It's amazing how in middle and high school I learned about a lot of the people that were mentioned in this book, but my past teachers neglected to tell us the truth behind the scenes and how so many of these historical figures were racists and bigots. It sickens me to know that the historical figures Americans today praise for their contributions to our society are the same ones that hated seeing races/ethnicities working together. I learned so much in this class, and so much from this book.

Jorge Boosh = Right Winger and Racist?.......2006-03-01

Maybe someone should inform Vicente Fox.
It's amazing what liberals write these days.

And by the way, the Republicans and the Democrats are two sides of the same coin, two halves of the same party. They aren't that different. Both want massive immigration, both want America involved in wars all over the world, both want to move our jobs to foreign countries, both support the new multicultural society, both of them are chock full of people who marry across the race lines, neither really cares for religion (regardless of what the politicians say...I don't see the Republicans putting prayer back into the schools), both woefully disregard the Constitution, ad infinitum.

Attack the Right...and TOTALLY ignore Leftist murderers.......2005-08-02

Pathetic...how can anyone discuss the "racist right" and ignore the overwhelming hate the left has for ordinary White Christian people?

Blacks rioting and murdering for "social justice" are treated with kid gloves because.."Oh they were just addressing White racism"...PUHLEEEZE...

Folks there is something going on with the White people of America. They are hammered constantly with "diversity" aka less whites equals better...but should White people DARE to suggest that maybe just maybe White people should be allowed to have a civilization of their own WITHOUT the horrendous black, Mexican violent crime rate...then they're "racists"...

Well... get used to it, the "movement" it is getting larger and larger by the day.

Soon White people will not give the smallest damn about your name calling, it will effectively mean NOTHING...it already does to MILLIONS of White people.

This book is yet another attack on White people who have simply become fed up, they've had enough, and they are now doing something about it.

So keep ignoring the overwhelming evidence of non-white on white violence...keep using the same rhetoric to attack anyone who speak up for White people...your point is moot...and White people WILL win back the America they so dearly love.

Detailed, Well Written, Excellent.......2002-08-09

An excellent, detailed textbook style examination of the radical right, in all its manifestations. Of all the books I've read on the right, and I've read a few, this one is the best. Carefully crafted and scholarly, Ridgeway pulls no punches. He gives detailed explanations of the history, origins and rhetoric of the KKK, The Posse Comitatus, The American Nazi Party and many related right wing haters. He makes copious use of the rights own pamphlets and speeches to reveal their twisted belief systems, and the book is full of pictures and even includes exerts of the infamous Turner Diaries. Well written and readable the book is also a gripping page-turner and will definitely keep you interested until the end. My only gripe is with the final chapter, which is unduly alarmist. It is true that the radical right is active and that they are a danger to society, but I am not convinced by the notion that there values are more acceptable in society than they have been in the past. Was Bull Conner an outcast in his time? Is David Duke more important politically than George Wallace was? Has the KKK been able to defeat a presidential candidate in modern times the way they defeated Al Smith? I also found the suggestion that Madonna and Tom Petty of all people are spreading racist propaganda to be laughable. Further the notion that opposition to affirmative action is evidence of a racist mindset is absurd, and revealing of the authors `liberal' bias. Affirmative action is not only a racist notion, based as it is on the idea that minorities need special help to succeed, but also has given aid and comfort to the racist cause. Racists can point to Affirmative Action as proof of their own beliefs. That being said, the ideological quirks of the author do not detract from the excellence of his scholarship. As a detailed explanation of the radical right across the broad spectrum, the book is peerless. Highly recommended.

Interesting; go check out the videotape.......2000-07-01

If skined88@hotmail.com had seen the video version of the book, he would see that Ridgeway did extensive interviews with neo-Nazis, and in fact let them speak for themselves.

Book Description

The author traces the history of this unique group from the original sixties Skinheads to its mid-seventies revival. Features a piece by Dick Hebdige on the sociology of youth cults, as well as Nick Night's East End photograph collection. (b/w photos)

Customer Reviews:

Pretty straight.......2007-07-22

Goes through the clothes worn, classic blue beat ska 45's. You know, that sort of thing. A few great snapshots from the 60's, and some 80's too. If you're a skinhead and are in the know, this book's not going to bring about any new revelations. Its still cool to have. And why not pick up a copy now that Amazon sellers have it as cheap as $7 and under?

And freshies... stop whining about this nazi stereotype. We get it, we've heard it, its annoying.

Good book, must buy for Trad skins on a budget........2007-07-13

Lets face it, spirit of 69 retails at 600 bux. This book gives a very good look at the 80's revival and a good history of our culture. Not as good as '69, but none the less, a cheaper alternative.

Good source of fashion, bad source of photos........2007-07-10

You know, I'm glad that I bought the book and I have to say, It was really better than I had expected. It does have some really nice illustrations (that you may have seen around the internet) that detail the skinhead fashion particular to the year. It is the best source I've seen yet on the early skinhead style.
The unfortunate thing is that contrary to the illustrations, the photos seem to be more often of the mid 70's and early 80's, and rarely of the earlier 60's skinhead fashion that I had hoped for. Most of the skins in these photos are in jeans, and not a lot of the dressier "hard mod" side of things. As mentioned in another review there are unfortunately several racist "sieg heil" photos, and only one black skinhead photo. And let's face it, I think in a skinhead book we all want to see some black skinheads.

Buy Spirit of 69 instead.......2004-08-29

Besides the very few pictures in this book, some depicting the racist stereotype, this book was a waste of money. If you are really interested in learning about skinhead 'culture', you should buy Spirit of '69.

art and a tiny lesson in a misunderstood youth subculture.......2002-12-16

First of all this book is not written as some far in depth account of skinheads, it is a photo journal. Knight is a talented photograher and this book should be put into spectrum as an art book, who's subject is an almost lost subculture. Do not buy this book if you want a grand tale of the non-racist skinhead movement and evolution. Also when looking at the photos be prepared to keep an open mind, past preconceieved notions. If you like the book check out Gavin Watsons Skins, a very similiar book, less writting but more photographic talent. Also if you want more knowledge on the truth behind skinheads, try reading Spirit of 69, a Skinhead bible.
In rebuttle to another reviewer, all skinheads are NOT nazis now and there is a growing rebirth of the non-racist subculture.

Average customer rating:

Coffee table book
Big up!!!! Watson Hit the Town!!!
5 good photos out of 144

Skins
Gavin Watson
Manufacturer: Olmstead Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1587540169

Book Description

This book is much more than a collection of skinhead images. It is a celebration of youth. Perhaps one of the most reviled yet misunderstood of all the youth subcultures, the skinhead look originated back in the 60s as a simple fashion statement. Sartorially proud of their working class roots, the original skinhead was a multicultural, politically broad-minded and fashion-aware individual. Favorite music was reggae, soul and ska and key artists included Desmond Dekker, Max Romeo and The Pyramids. Their choice of immaculate clothing and invariably Dr. Martens boots was the ultimate anti-fashion statement and a badge of both power and pride. Above all else, genuine skinheads were obsessed with their presentation. The 70s saw the look adopted by the scurge of right-wing extremists and for many years was a fashion pariah. However, towards the end of the 90s, the closely cropped look has been championed by a whole new generation of high profile celebrities, including David Beckham and Ewan McGregor, bringing skinhead style back into the mainstream once again.

Customer Reviews:

Coffee table book.......2007-07-22

Ok, its a photography book, and the subjects and the photographer are all skinheads. That's really all there is to it people. But my God, don't pay $70 for it. I got a copy for $12. Some good photos in here. Nice black&white treatment.

Big up!!!! Watson Hit the Town!!!.......2001-12-31

Don't watch that one!!! Watch this One!!!!!Gavin Watson is true. The cover of Watson's Skins shows the sadly ignored by Dr. Martin anniversary add. But as Dr. Martin lost
the opportunity to show the true nature of their years of success we are graced with with Watson's one man conviction to show
the passion of a youth movement which stepped heavy like Rudebwoys in it's rebellion. Watson shows and proves the Skin
movement and it's original multi-cultural appeal to young working-class males of all cultures.
Now, Hip hop and rap has the same appeal for youth who wish to break cultural barriers and run with the rebels. But this rabble
of rudeness came first. One can only hope that for this generation that they will have a dedicated chronicler with a swift righteous
eye like Watson to tell their true tale. Watson rides again!!!!!!!

5 good photos out of 144.......2000-12-19

This collection of 144 black and white photos is, according to the cover, "a collection of potent images... which perfectly captures the essence of the skinhead cult..." of the late '70s and early '80s in Wycombe. The vast majority of the pictures are fairly dull snaps of various skins in either tough or "taking the piss" poses, which probably aren't of interest to anyone who doesn't know them. The few that stand out as quite good pieces of photography are as follows:

--"Product of the Environment" on page 15 is a brilliant and chilling composition of two sullen 10-12 year old skinhead boys sitting on wall under "NF Skins" graffiti.

--"The Mission" is a cute snap of a young skin in a crombie contrasting heavily against the a group of white-robed black churchladies.

--"Part of the Union" on page 58 is a great shot taken from below of one skin holding something and a blurry skin in a Union Jack t-shirt standing above him.

--"England Expects" on page 91 is another great show taken from down low, it shows a bulldog's head next to the head of a skin with a tattooed neck, with the tower at Trafalgar Square looming above them.

--"Gretch Having None of It" on page 109 shows two skinheads walking away from the camera down a dark, wet cobblestone street with a bulldog contrasting in the foreground.

It would have been nice if there were a lot less photos and some more context in the form of notes. Quite a number of the photos show Nazi paraphanalia, graffiti, and salutes, it would have been nice for the author to put this in some sort of context, especially in light of the photos that show black classmates and Asians in the community. Seeing as how it's basically one guy's photo album, it's definitely a book of limited interest. It should also be noted that the printing of the book is pretty low quality.

Average customer rating:

Chilling...

I did want to enjoy this book

Chilling

Gangbangers: Understanding The Deadly Minds Of America's Street Gangs
Loren W. Christensen
Manufacturer: Paladin Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Do or Die

ASIN: 158160047X

Book Description

Many people in America think that gang violence is concentrated in the inner cities of New York, Los Many people in America think that gang violence is concentrated in the inner cities of New York, Los Angeles and other isolated metropolitan areas. They are mistaken, says Loren Christensen, a veteran Portland, Oregon, gang-enforcement officer. After completing Skinhead Street Gangs, Christensen went back to the streets to see what's happening with gangs, and what he found scared the hell out of him! He found that gangs are everywhere and are here to stay - in the big cities and small towns, in the suburbs and the rural areas, on both coasts and in the heartland. His research also showed that gangs are equal-opportunity destroyers. Their members - and victims - are white, black, Hispanic and Asian. His most disturbing discovery was that gangs are nastier than ever. Ten years ago gangbangers fought with fists, clubs and pistols. Now they have lots of incredible firepower, and they don't think twice about using it. Here, Christensen lets gang members, former gang members and street cops tell you in their own words how gangbangers think, why they are so violent, who they target and what (if anything) can be done to curb the growth of gangs in America.

Customer Reviews:

Chilling..........2007-06-14

Gangs are not only ubiquitous but growing, becoming more pervasive and deadlier despite society's best efforts to stamp them out. The author interviews current and former gang members, law enforcement officers, school officials, lawyers, social workers, and other experts to provide chilling insight into the minds of those who join street gangs. A quick and easy read, this provocative book provides terrific insight into gang culture and etiquette. Respect, reputation, and revenge are integral to gang life. For example, the "commandments of the 'hood" include: thou shalt handle thy business, get girls, get respect, get thy money on, carry a gat (gun), and be down for thy homeboy right or wrong, and thou shalt not snitch. This book is a fascinating and worthwhile read.

Lawrence Kane
Author of Surviving Armed Assaults and Martial Arts Instruction; co-author of The Way of Kata and The Way to Black Belt

I did want to enjoy this book.......2006-05-20

...however, it actually made me quite pissed after the first two chapters.

I've always been interested in people that live very different lives than I do. The question I keep hunting for the answer to is WHY. Why have they become what they are, why are they thinking the way they do, why do they seem to have totally different values - in general, what makes them what they are? So, this book sounded like the right one for me.

Instead, it made me rather pissed. Mr. Christensen divides his book into chapters according to the racial background of different gangs. The first chapter is about gangs in general, about the basic forces behind a gangbanger's actions. The next two chapters are about black and Hispanic gangs. Now, what you get in the first three chapters is basically the SAME pieces of information repeated over and over again. You even get the very same testimonies by nameless bangers in the different subsections.

Since the author used to be a police officer himself and dealt with bangers, I did expect a lot more detailed, first person experiences - especially because most of the facts he collects about gangs in his book are only new to those that never tried to understand bangers' "deadly minds"... never even googled "street gangs". That is the reason I'm giving this book 3 stars after all - it could be a starting point for a newbie.

In the next two chapters he writes about white and Asian gangs, so at least there is some new information there compared to the continuous repetition in the first three chapters. However, it doesn't seem too professional at all for him to beging chapter four (about white gangs) with an intro STRICTLY about how to get his other book (which he "humbly believes is the most complete book on the subject"... eh) - he will even give you a complete URL.

There's a few photos scattered all over the book, but they don't do any good, since they are extremely blurry. There are ones that are supposed to show gang tattoos or hang signals and one can hardly make out the person's body at all.

If you make it to chapter six "Facts and Fiction about Youth Gangs", dividing chapters according to ethnicity will seem even more senseless than before. As a Fact Mr. Christensen states, "So-called black gangs are no longer all black, Hispanic gangs are more and more mixed with whites and blacks, and many Southeast Asian gangs are now a mix of Vietnamese, Cambodian, Laotian, Hmong and even whites".

He hardly mentions female bangers and pretty much skips initiations, too.

So, this book is not going to give you some deep insight. However, if you're looking for some BASIC information on what gangs are about, you might enjoy it.

Chilling.......1999-11-17

This is the best and most complete book on street gangs I have read. Much of it is in the voices of gang members, police officers and others who work with gangbangers.

The book left me afraid and wondering if there is any hope for tha gang problem that has infected virtually every city in the country.

Book Description

The definitive book on the British skinhead phenomenon. From the late 60s to the present, this book gives it to you straight. Style, music, football, aggro. From SHARP to the scourge of the neo-nazis. A wealth of photographs, graphics and cuttings make this a rather indispensable guide.

Customer Reviews:

Pure skinhead's info!!!! Oi!.......2004-12-09

Man! This book is so original. Since i become a skinhead, this has been my only guidelines. I don't trust any zines or people that try to misled me in this culture. You see, in my place in Malaysia, there are many damn poseur that wearing those outfit like hell, but doesn't live even the pure way of a skin. Some of them even hated Oi! and ska music, even reggae. The SHARPs, neonazis, RASHs, GASHs, whatever, just the lies beneath this culture. Live the pure way! Oi! Oi!

I really wanted to like it..........2003-04-18

I was looking forward to getting this book so I could finally get a "definitive" history of the movement. Unfortunately, I got a poorly written free association from some guy who is a skinhead. The quality is at the level you would see at an internet discussion group : not something worth paying for, barely worth reading. Do not waste your money on this book.

It is not at all clear from this book what the essence of the skinhead movement was or is. It seems what unites them is their uniform : the shaved head, suspenders, and black Doc Martins. Beyond that, the book gave me no sense of what the skinhead movement is all about. If you are a skinhead, and know all the jargon and history already, then you might appreciate the work. I, on the other hand, wanted to learn about the history of this group from the *outside*. The book is not written for outsiders, alas.

Very disappointing. I should have known by the title: this is not a history, it is a eulogy.

A great unbiased account of a severly misunderstood culture.......2002-11-01

Spirit of 69 is a must for any skinhead (Trad or SHARP, even a nazi, maybe they'll learn their roots, or even the casual reader) It goes so in depth on the entire skinhead culture. It's so unbiased that it almost makes me mad. Marshall captures the mood and feel of the culture back in the sixties, all the way up to the rebirth in the nineties. The only flaw that I saw in the book is how deep he goes into the music in a skinhead's life. .... But still, a must. The only thing that I didn't like is that he portrays the nazi skinheads in a fair light, something that I believe they don't deserve. Anyway, have a good read.

Great true history of the Skin "cult".......2001-04-10

This is by far the best and most objective book that I've read about the skinhead culture. While Nazis and racist skins (boneheads) tend to be what the media focuses on, there is an even larger percentage of skins that are non-racial and/or anti-racist.

George Marshall cuts through the politics and gets down to the roots of the cult starting back in the late 60's and follows it up to the 90's (in the revisited version it goes to '94). This is not a "how to" book like others say, but an unbiased documentary of the culture. "Before you go waving flags, you better know what you stand for"...

it's not THAT good, people..........2000-02-29

It's a great photo album...It's a great collection of stories from the "skinhead heyday", but when you sit down and look at it, it's just a how-to guide, which is the most ludicrous thing the skinhead culture could ask for. Any Tom, Dick, or Harry wanting to be part of some "cool subculture" could pick up this book and think himself a skinhead upon finishing it. Although I credit it for touching ALL branches of the skinhead culture (trad., SHARP, WP, red), I still see it as a glorified skinhead version of Cosmo.

Average customer rating:

Skavoovee
Ska Child , and David Harris
Manufacturer: Trafford Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: 1552129322
Release Date: 2006-07-06

Book Description

A Skinhead classic in the tradition of the great Richard Allen novels, and the second book in Ska Child's prolific writing career.

The Youth

Fighter, lover, musician; 18-year old Mark Heaney walks the skinhead path and faces and faces trouble head on. He'll rumble if you cross him, he'll steal your girlfriend if you turn your back, and as the lead singer of a ska band known as the Juice Monkey's, he'll set your nightclub on fire.

It all changes however, when marks father loses his job, and Mark sees no choice but to join the army to help support his large family. He leaves high school in the final year and is trained as a medic within the Canadian army. Later as his service time increases, Mark finds himself Para qualified and is attached to the Canadian Airborne Regiment. He sees action on battlefields and in bedrooms around the world until, after six years later, he becomes a man in all senses of the word.

The Man

With his father dying after a tragic work site accident, Mark decides to return home to his home turf in order to assist his mother in raising the rest of the family. Working as an ambulance paramedic in Vancouver's skid row opens his eyes even further to life on the street. It helps to pay the bills to some degree but it's usually only a part time job that is incredibly stressful and thankless. The only consolation is meeting Terri Battle who is one of the pretty waitresses at his favorite venue and drinking spot - the Skavoovee tavern. It's not long before Mark is working there himself as an assistant manager.

Skavoovee

It's the tavern where Terri works. It's where Marks band got its first start and his father's best friend owns the joint. It's home to so many of the cities subcultures - including skinhead and rockabilly types, and Mark is proud to call it his second home.

But one night when a bunch of American Skinhead wannabe's try to cause trouble in the tavern as they hide out from the American police, Mark makes a point to voice his displeasure and sends several of them to hospital.

In revenge, the boneheads from down south make it a priority to get back at Mark by kidnapping his younger sister and savagely assault her; dumping her battered body in an alley not to far away from the Skavoovee tavern for all eyes to see.

If that's not enough, the war that has now been declared tries to take Terri in as a further victim.

Will Mark Heaney survive this war? Will his commando friends be able to track him down in time or will he go it alone and take on those who would hurt his heart so deeply by himself?

Customer Reviews:

Jen.......2003-04-01

This has to be a favorite book of mine, it has to deal with the skinhead culture of today and the yesteryear.
Follow Mark through his teenage years , his band, his father, the army, and his job in Vancouver. The book is very realistic, you could almost follow Mark around town and see what he sees. Some parts are very graphic but then again so is reality. In the back of the book is pictures, posters and show ticket stubs that you can view.

Surfers Soulies Skinheads and Skaters: Subcultural Style from the Forties to the Nineties

Average customer rating:

A Fashion Book For Rest Of Us

Surfers Soulies Skinheads and Skaters: Subcultural Style from the Forties to the Nineties
Amy de la Haye , and Cathie Dingwall
Manufacturer: Overlook Hardcover
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Skinhead

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ASIN: 0879516895

Customer Reviews:

A Fashion Book For Rest Of Us.......1999-04-30

This beautifully produced coffee-table book arose from a fashion exhibit held by the Victoria & Albert Museum in the early 1990s. I can't say enough about the layout, photography, and amazing color throughout the book. While the exhibit curators obviously labored mightily to put the exhibit together, the book manages to catalog it all in an enthralling way. A bit expensive for people like me, but you should definitely find a copy to browse through if nothing else.

Average customer rating:

Just the right book for my projest
Not a True Skinhead
A skinhead book not for skinheads
An Edgar Award winning book that steal your emotions
A Well-Written detective type book that is worth reading

Skinhead
Jay Bennett
Manufacturer: Fawcett
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 0449703975
Release Date: 1991-12-22

Book Description

The recipient of the call was Jonathan Atwood, the bright young grandson of Peter Atwood, one of the most influential people in America. It was his grandfather who raised him, who taught him to be proud of the Atwood family name.

But that was all before: before the detective called from faraway Seattle, telling him an anonymous man was dying -- and that his last request was to see Jonathan. Before Jonathan agreed to go and flew first-class across the country. Before he met beautiful Jenny, with her mysterious scar.

And before the deadly, dangerous, racist Skinheads began to threaten him, aiming their guns, ready and willing to kill him to keep a secret alive....

Customer Reviews:

Just the right book for my projest.......2005-05-18

I loved how the book showed that there are still racist problems today in America, and that there are things that can be done to help with the problem. I needed to show that there is still a threat to some of different race. Wounderfull way of putting it together.

Not a True Skinhead.......2002-04-06

I had to read this book for school and it was very well written.
The only problem that I had was the way he portrayed the skinhead. I myself being a skinhead got many questions coming from others who read the book and thought I was racist. I am not and never will be. If you take offense to this like I do, please do not read.

A skinhead book not for skinheads.......1999-12-06

I cannot disagree with any of the reviews above. This is a well written book using the negative stereotypes associated with skinheadism.

That said, if you are a traditional skinhead (read non-racist) you will be dissapointed with the assumptions in this book.

At no time does the author attempt to differentiate between the many subcultures involved with skinheadism.

Those comfortable with the stereotypes involved with skinheads who like simplistic detective stories you will find this entertaining.

Those who appreciate realism in their reading will be dissapointed with the simplistic descriptions and gross abuse of stereotypes.

An Edgar Award winning book that steal your emotions.......1999-04-29

The book takes place in Seattle, USA. It is a very good book for people who like reading detective and adventure story. Some information that caught my eyes and made me read this book is: It is an "Edgar Award"-winning book, and it has something to do with detectives and crime. The story is simple but has lots of meaning to it. A short summary of the book is that John is a teenager who lives with his grandfather since his parents were divorced and his mom married another man. Once when he was about to go to sleep he gets a phone call from Seattle saying that an old man is about to die and really wants to see him before he dies. When John reaches Seattle, he finds out that the old man had already died. Well that is where the story begins and John begins his journey to find who that old man was and why he wanted to see John. My opinion about the book is that the author had a really good idea about the story and stayed focused on the plot. The author also had a very good idea on skinheads but didn't give that much information in the beginning, probably because he wanted to keep it as a suspenseful. If the author had changed the idea of this book, I don't think I would have enjoyed reading it. For a first time reader of Jay Bennett I think this book will really catch your emotions and will make you read more and more books by him.

A Well-Written detective type book that is worth reading.......1999-04-28

Skinhead, a detective type book, takes place in Seattle, USA. The cover of this book caught my attention with a picture of two skinheads loaded with guns, and an innocent man watching them. I picked up this book and expected it to be good because it's an Edgar award winner. Let me give you some information about the book. It's about a teenager, John, in his upper teen life, and he's living with his grandfather because his parents had gone for a wedding in South America. One night, he gets a call from a detective by the name of Ward, who tells him to come to Seattle right away because some unknown person would like to confront him. Ward said that the unknown person wasn't willing to give his identity away. John, who lives in Southampton, England, decides to go there and find out who that unknown man is. John was also told that this unknown person has a good relationship with him and he is about to die. John then goes to Seattle trying to find out two big mysteries, who the unknown person is, and who killed him.

Ah! Now you're caught into this book. Amazing, isn't it? I just told you the first 5 or so pages and now you really want to read it. So, go read this book and find out who the unknown man is and what other things happen in John's enigmatic life.

Now I shall state my opinion. This book really had a catchy ending at the end of every chapter. During my reading time, I always felt as if I was in the story, and Jay Bennett describes the scenes so exceptionally well that I always had a vivid image in my mind. I liked the way Jay Bennett puts a mixture of many different types of stories to form one. I think this book really deserved the award that it received. My final words are it's a great book to read in your free time.

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