Barrio Gangs is the most comprehensive academic case study of barrio group dynamics in a major Texas city to date. This is a sociological work on the history of barrio gangs in San Antonio and other large Texas cities to the present day. It examines the century-long evolution of urban barrio subcultures using public archives; oral histories; old photos; and other forms of qualitative data. The study gives special attention to the barrio gangs’ “heyday;†from the 1940s through the 1960s; comparing their attributes to those of modern groups. It illustrates how social and technological changes have affected barrio networking processes and the intensity of the street lifestyle over time. Intergenerational shifts and the tension that accompanies such changes are also central themes in the book. Few other places are so conducive to such historical exploration as is San Antonio. Street ignobility in the barrio no doubt mirrors processes found in other Chicano communities in Texas and the Southwest. The gang contexts in major Chicano population centers have lengthy historical bases rooted in weak opportunity structures; oppression; and discrimination. This work shows that participation in street violence; drug selling; and other parts of the informal economy are functional adaptations to the social structure; the forces propelling the formation of barrio gangs are not temporary social phenomena.
#1189026 in Books 2008-04-01 2008-04-01Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 11.00 x .80 x 8.50l; 1.62 #File Name: 0874216931256 pages
Review
1 of 2 people found the following review helpful. excellent memoirBy Jean LuttrellThis is an excellent history of a sheep ranch that was at one time the largest private landowner in Utah. The book tells how wool is produced with details of lambing; shearing and shipping. W. Dean Frischkneckt; a 26 year old graduate of Utah Agricultural Colleg with B.S. and M.S. degrees; was hired in 1946 as sheep foreman. He soon learned that the company was all about profit and loss. For instance Dean is told that as a cost cutting measure herders' orders for jam and pickles were to be reduced or denied. Of special interest are the chapters telling of the Winter of the Big Snow -- 1948-49 -- and those dealing with the change of ownership when a syndicate of a dozen investors purchased the company in 1953. If this book were made into a movie there would be no part for John Wayne or Roy Rogers and the big rancher villain featured in the traditional Western would be replaced by big government; which reduced the company's winter range by 23 percent to create the Dugway Proving Ground. This is an excellent memoir and an accurate history of sheep ranching as big business.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. GreatBy BillieGood read!1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. gift purchaseBy Murleen GoodrichI bought a book for my dad; and it was great! He is so happy. Thank you for this positive experience.
