“This work has the ring of authenticity. It provides a glimpse into the inner life of gangs and as such is invaluable as a teaching tool.” — T. Ferdinand, Southern Illinois University
“A Nation of Lords is a very timely publication whose content is highly relevant to the increasing prominence of juvenile gang activity in communities which, until recently, have paid little attention to the dynamics of gang development. The text is very useful in the instruction of policy makers in law enforcement regarding the importance of community organization and the need to ensure that minority groups have a genuine investment in a pro-social community.” — Jerry L. DeGregory, University of North Alabama
“The new format and student edition are perfect for class use.” — G. David Curry, West Virginia University
205 pages, $27.95 list
0-88133-628-9
978-0-88133-628-3
© 1992
paperback
eBook availability
A Nation of Lords
The Autobiography of the Vice Lords
Second Edition
An instructive and relevant look at an explosive period in urban history! This savagely moving autobiography of a violent street gang covers its heyday in the 1960s when it had perhaps ten thousand members in at least twenty-six branches on Chicago’s West Side. It is the story of a street gang that became a community organization, supported by private foundations and corporations and dedicated to social, economic, and political development. The gang’s violent neighborhood was transformed into Head Start’s most improved block where the crime rate decreased as did the number of gang-related killings.
Reactions
1972 Introduction
1992 Introduction
1. A Nation of Lords
2. It’s Your World; I’m Just Livin’ in It
3. If We Can’t Get Along, Then We Gonna Get It On
4. The Bridewell
5. Lords Run It
6. Wherever It Go Down
7. Coming Up
8. A Change Is Gonna Come
9. An Ounce of Good
10. Different Strokes for Different Folks
11. Cell 103
12. Keep the Love in the Club
13. Nothin’ Left but Death
14. Spittin’ that Fire
15. The Only White Vice Lord (Bobby Gore)
1992 Introduction
1. A Nation of Lords
2. It’s Your World; I’m Just Livin’ in It
3. If We Can’t Get Along, Then We Gonna Get It On
4. The Bridewell
5. Lords Run It
6. Wherever It Go Down
7. Coming Up
8. A Change Is Gonna Come
9. An Ounce of Good
10. Different Strokes for Different Folks
11. Cell 103
12. Keep the Love in the Club
13. Nothin’ Left but Death
14. Spittin’ that Fire
15. The Only White Vice Lord (Bobby Gore)