American Skinheads: The Criminology and Control of Hate Crime

(Hardback)

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"American Skinheads" is an analysis of organised hate crime violence. Mark Hamm presents historical specificity for a modern theory of hate crime, then rigorously tests the theory with interview data derived from skinheads who have committed an array of violent acts against people because of their race, religion, or sexual preference - people who are members of the classic "outgroups" of American society. Part One traces the roots of the Skinhead Nation through the Beats, Mods, Hippies, and Punks in London, and then examines the rise of the Neo-Nazi offshoots (Romantic Violence, The Aryan Youth Movement), recruiters (Tom Metzger), and recruitment tools (WAR Magazine and Hotline, electronic mail, Race and Reason), and appearances on the Oprah Winfrey and Geraldo Rivera shows. In Part Two, Hamm discusses the accepted sociological perspectives on terrorist youth subcultures (not "gangs"), then presents findings of his own study of 36 skinheads, including social and economic characteristics, psychological profiles, the role of skinhead "girls", use of drugs and weapons, satanism, and neo-fascism. Part three assesses the future for American neo-Nazism and recommends steps for preventing skinhead terrorism.

Reviews

"This outstanding book helps us to understand the social and psychological dynamics that have led to the development of the skinheads in particular and of social movements based on hatred in general....Mark Hamm's fine work is social science at its best....The book will serve not only to educate us, our students, and the public, it may well encourage other sociologists to leave the cloistered halls of their universities and discover what is happening in the real world."-From the foreword by William J. Chambliss, Past President American Society of Criminology and the Society for the Study of Social Problems
I now feel that I have a better understanding of Skinheads and more fear of their potential for violence and growth. I recommend this book to persons who are working with gangs of any type and particularly to those who are working with White Supremacist youth.-Federal Probation
The book is well written; Hamm also makes judicious use of explanatory line diagrams. Good references, adequate index. Recommended. General; advanced undergraduate; graduate; faculty; professional.-Choice
This book is an important scholarly contribution to our understanding of hate crime....Hamm analyzes what is known about skinheads within the context of several general theories of crime, and in light of his empirical findings, he suggests an alternative theoretical model....American skinheads is well-written, well-researched, and provides insights into a poorly understood phenomenon. Just as importantly, it should inspire others to further study this important subject.-Justice Quarterly
"I now feel that I have a better understanding of Skinheads and more fear of their potential for violence and growth. I recommend this book to persons who are working with gangs of any type and particularly to those who are working with White Supremacist youth."-Federal Probation
"The book is well written; Hamm also makes judicious use of explanatory line diagrams. Good references, adequate index. Recommended. General; advanced undergraduate; graduate; faculty; professional."-Choice
"This book is an important scholarly contribution to our understanding of hate crime....Hamm analyzes what is known about skinheads within the context of several general theories of crime, and in light of his empirical findings, he suggests an alternative theoretical model....American skinheads is well-written, well-researched, and provides insights into a poorly understood phenomenon. Just as importantly, it should inspire others to further study this important subject."-Justice Quarterly

Author Bio

MARK S. HAMM is Professor of Criminology at Indiana State University. He has published widely on crime and corrections.