Politicians and the media may claim that youth gangs are an American export, but the truth, says youth-gang expert Michael C. Chettleburgh, is that Canada has been cultivating its own homegrown gang culture for years. And gang culture isn't relegated to Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver—it's also in Saskatoon, Winnipeg, Halifax and Hobbema, Alberta. It includes not only poor black kids but privileged white youth, First Nations and Southeast Asian teens in large and small communities across Canada.

In a powerful narrative driven by chilling real-life stories of gang members, victims, families and police—and anchored by rigorous research and thoughtful commentary—Chettleburgh creates a touchstone guide that acts as a wake-up call for Canadians.