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Skinhead Confessions: From Hate To Hope
A background in hate. A life of violence. A love for power. But all he needed was a moment of truth. I heard the gasp of horror and knew I'd been caught. "What are those?" she cried, pointing at my body, which was covered from neck to waist in graphic, sinister tattoos. No way was I going to tell her what they meant - the hate crimes I'd committed, the people I'd stabbed and maimed to earn those tattoos. No way was I going to tell her about the hundreds of kids I'd initiated to follow me into the White Power movement and the things they did for me every day. From his youth, TJ Leyden was taught to fight, to hurt, and to hate. Cunningly brilliant and deceptively clean-cut, TJ found that life with the Skinheads was exactly what he - and they - needed. Quickly rising to the top, TJ recruited members for the Skins, and in return he earned a name and a reputation as one of the most powerful men in the White Power movement. With a skill for fanning the fires of hatred and an ability to elude the law, it seemed that nothing would stop TJ - that is, until he became a father. As his own children grew, so did TJ's uncertainty about the cause he'd endorsed for so long. One fact finally emerged from all the racist white power wasn't about being white; it was simply about having someone to hate. And once he realized this truth, TJ knew his life could never been the same. Skinhead Confessions takes you on an unbelievable ride through a dark world of violence to one of openness and faith in the future. TJ's honesty and courage - even in the face of death - have inspired people across America to take action against gang violence and hate crimes. A book unlike any other, this is the amazing true story of one person's journey from hatred to hope.
- GenresNonfictionMemoir
228 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 2008
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
January 29, 2011
In 2008, I went to a book event that was sponsored by the Utah Humanities Council. TJ Leyden was one of the speakers. It was a very powerful experience to hear him speak of the recruiting tactics gangs use and what he is doing to educate youth, police and the military about racism, hate crimes, etc.
Mr Leyden's story is very powerful. However, the writing was fairly weak. A good editor could have really helped here. Mr Leyden seemed to struggle to find his voice. For example, while he described his gang activity, there were passages that felt somewhat boastful. Yet later, as he described his life since leaving his Skinhead life, his voice was powerful and passionate. But, I won't fault him for these minor writing issues. His story was still powerful. The most touching part of his story was his account of converting to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I wish more than two pages to his conversion, but I also understand his desire to keep that personal. Those two pages were the best pages of the whole book (I'm not just saying this because I'm a member of the LDS Church- his words really did touch me).
Mr Leyden's story is very powerful. However, the writing was fairly weak. A good editor could have really helped here. Mr Leyden seemed to struggle to find his voice. For example, while he described his gang activity, there were passages that felt somewhat boastful. Yet later, as he described his life since leaving his Skinhead life, his voice was powerful and passionate. But, I won't fault him for these minor writing issues. His story was still powerful. The most touching part of his story was his account of converting to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I wish more than two pages to his conversion, but I also understand his desire to keep that personal. Those two pages were the best pages of the whole book (I'm not just saying this because I'm a member of the LDS Church- his words really did touch me).
April 20, 2009
It an interesting non fiction story about a reformed skinhead who went from being a leading neo nazi to working for a Jewish civil rights group. BUT, it is very poorly written, seems that he didn't have any editor at all and is so full of self aggrandizement that it is actually painful to read. If one has some special interest in the history of the skinhead movement in the U.S., it might be worth the read, otherwise, don't waste your time.
September 26, 2008
I think everyone should have this book in their library. It's AMAZING, to say the least. I didn't think much of this book when I found it in San Antonio at a half price book store. I just thought it could be a somewhat interesting read. I found so much more than that. TJ Leyden is amazing. He made me feel so many things in this book... my reaction to his past racism and Skinhead associations, deeds and beliefs... to his beautiful transformation to open mindedness and acceptance. It's freakin' awesome, to say the least. :) Definitely in my top 5.
August 15, 2018
Very insightful into the wold of skinheads and also inspirational his journey out.
December 25, 2014
I saw M. Bridget Cook, co-author of the book, at a writer’s conference talk about writing this book, “Skinhead Confessions, From Hate to Hope”. I thought the premise of the story was interesting and I decided to purchase a copy of the book. I even had Ms. Cook autograph it for me. She was an entertaining speaker and very charming to chat with after the conference.
This book is about TJ Leyden a leader and top recruiter for different skinhead gangs in Southern California. His story of joining the skinhead movement, recruiting many other young men to the cause, being a leader in the racist movement, and finally his dissatisfaction with the movement and leaving the organization to work with the Simon Wiesenthal Center in a role of teaching about the skinhead movement and spearheading tolerance among races and religions.
The story painted a disturbing picture of violence, hate, and lawlessness inside the skinhead movement. It was interesting to see this lifestyle through the eyes of one who lived it for 15 years and could explain why some are attracted to it.
I liked that the story had a redemptive element to it of TJ leaving the movement and trying to atone for the many sins of his prior life, especially with his efforts to talk with youth about the evils of skinhead involvement and the racist teachings associated with it.
I also thought the authors did a good job of letting you see into the skinhead organization and activities without being overly graphic or sensational. I learned much about the goals and methods used be skinheads to recruit and grow their hate filled organization.
I enjoyed that TJ did not only leave the organization but that he tried to make amends for all of the people that he had hurt through his misguided and evil actions as a skinhead. He worked with the Jewish organization Simon Wiesenthal Center, police and military organizations, and schools teaching about the tactics and tools used by skinheads to recruit new members and to identify there ideology and its fruit.
I thought his eventual recognition of the hell his life had become and the influence that he and his bigoted wife had on his two young sons was an interesting study in how the sins of the parents are passed to the children and how astute TJ was to recognize this before his sons followed in his footsteps and propagated the evil and racism that TJ had lived for so many years.
I would recommend this book to anyone that would like to read a book about skinhead movement from a former insider. Also those who enjoy stories of redemption and change and modern day miracles would find this story interesting and well worth the time to read.
Other books I’ve read by authors
None
Favorite Quotes
TJ Leyden commenting on the power of music in the skinhead movement:
“I recognized the power of music at a very young age. I saw it as the most powerful influence in the world, especially on teenagers. I witnessed the effect of music every day.” p. 98
Another quote about the power of music
“However, if I gave a kid a tape of music and he dug the sound, he would listen to it a hundred times over. Often even more (sp). I also knew the lyrics would roll unconsciously around and around in his mind for hours after the music was shut off. It would begin to wheedle its way into his brain and become ingrained either subtly or boldly as new beliefs." p. 49
This book is about TJ Leyden a leader and top recruiter for different skinhead gangs in Southern California. His story of joining the skinhead movement, recruiting many other young men to the cause, being a leader in the racist movement, and finally his dissatisfaction with the movement and leaving the organization to work with the Simon Wiesenthal Center in a role of teaching about the skinhead movement and spearheading tolerance among races and religions.
The story painted a disturbing picture of violence, hate, and lawlessness inside the skinhead movement. It was interesting to see this lifestyle through the eyes of one who lived it for 15 years and could explain why some are attracted to it.
I liked that the story had a redemptive element to it of TJ leaving the movement and trying to atone for the many sins of his prior life, especially with his efforts to talk with youth about the evils of skinhead involvement and the racist teachings associated with it.
I also thought the authors did a good job of letting you see into the skinhead organization and activities without being overly graphic or sensational. I learned much about the goals and methods used be skinheads to recruit and grow their hate filled organization.
I enjoyed that TJ did not only leave the organization but that he tried to make amends for all of the people that he had hurt through his misguided and evil actions as a skinhead. He worked with the Jewish organization Simon Wiesenthal Center, police and military organizations, and schools teaching about the tactics and tools used by skinheads to recruit new members and to identify there ideology and its fruit.
I thought his eventual recognition of the hell his life had become and the influence that he and his bigoted wife had on his two young sons was an interesting study in how the sins of the parents are passed to the children and how astute TJ was to recognize this before his sons followed in his footsteps and propagated the evil and racism that TJ had lived for so many years.
I would recommend this book to anyone that would like to read a book about skinhead movement from a former insider. Also those who enjoy stories of redemption and change and modern day miracles would find this story interesting and well worth the time to read.
Other books I’ve read by authors
None
Favorite Quotes
TJ Leyden commenting on the power of music in the skinhead movement:
“I recognized the power of music at a very young age. I saw it as the most powerful influence in the world, especially on teenagers. I witnessed the effect of music every day.” p. 98
Another quote about the power of music
“However, if I gave a kid a tape of music and he dug the sound, he would listen to it a hundred times over. Often even more (sp). I also knew the lyrics would roll unconsciously around and around in his mind for hours after the music was shut off. It would begin to wheedle its way into his brain and become ingrained either subtly or boldly as new beliefs." p. 49
Want to Read
July 10, 2008@ neither.
When I was 14 I went to New Zealand. As part of the trip I stayed with a family for a few days. I was showing them pictures of my friends so that they could see what Americans looked like (yes, I really thought that). I happened to have a picture of a jr high boy who I was secretly in love with and we were “going out” (But we had never actually spoken and to this day we have never officially broken up, however marriages and his two or three kids in a way have made it semi-official.) Right before school was out for the summer he had shaved his head. I took pictures of people on yearbook day. And of course I just happened to “accidentally” get a picture of him, my crush. I remember the family looking at that picture and asking if he was a “Skinhead”. I didn’t really know what that meant, other than people could see the skin on your head, so I said yes. At the time I didn’t really think much of the odd look that passed between the parents and the gulp that they seemed to do, but I knew it was the wrong answer. I tried to get the right answer out by saying that lots of my friends were skinheads. I was trying to make it sound as if lots of American teenagers shave their head (even though I only happened to know one of them), not that most American teenagers belonged to a white supremacy group. But since I didn’t know exactly what a skinhead was I wasn’t really able to fix my mistake. I may be the responsible party if we ever go to war with New Zealand.
When I was 14 I went to New Zealand. As part of the trip I stayed with a family for a few days. I was showing them pictures of my friends so that they could see what Americans looked like (yes, I really thought that). I happened to have a picture of a jr high boy who I was secretly in love with and we were “going out” (But we had never actually spoken and to this day we have never officially broken up, however marriages and his two or three kids in a way have made it semi-official.) Right before school was out for the summer he had shaved his head. I took pictures of people on yearbook day. And of course I just happened to “accidentally” get a picture of him, my crush. I remember the family looking at that picture and asking if he was a “Skinhead”. I didn’t really know what that meant, other than people could see the skin on your head, so I said yes. At the time I didn’t really think much of the odd look that passed between the parents and the gulp that they seemed to do, but I knew it was the wrong answer. I tried to get the right answer out by saying that lots of my friends were skinheads. I was trying to make it sound as if lots of American teenagers shave their head (even though I only happened to know one of them), not that most American teenagers belonged to a white supremacy group. But since I didn’t know exactly what a skinhead was I wasn’t really able to fix my mistake. I may be the responsible party if we ever go to war with New Zealand.
May 7, 2012
I found myself not being able to put this book down. It was enlightening to see the point of view that the author had as a strong leader and powerfult influence in a gang that I never gave much thought to. I was intrigued by this portion of the history of the area that I grew up in, unaware of such events. This book really brought important issues to light, and made me think hard about being more aware.
April 29, 2009
Amazing look into how these kinds of organizations recruit - really well written, story of redemption and forgiveness. I think this books should be read by anyone who has children becoming teens or who have a child that has began to act differently - out of character.
July 27, 2010
I wasn't sure what to expcet from this book and was pleasantly surprised. Not graphic, yet painted a picture of his former life that left no doubt about what he experienced. Hats off to T.J. Leyden for making a new life for himself.
October 2, 2011
Great Book! I would recommend this book to anyone over the age of 17. It is harsh, but it is a book to make people more aware of the hatred that is out there. We met the author and she was brilliant.
July 29, 2011
Interesting read about the inner workings of the skinhead movement. What put me off was the author's ego that shone through throughout. Even as T.J. left the life he had dedicated himself to for so long, he's not shy about reminding you just what a bad ass he once was.
March 20, 2015
powerful story. his writing could have been better but the story is powerful. I love that he found faith....in my church even! his story about leaving the violent gang life, and finding peace is worth reading.
May 7, 2009
This was written by a friend from school. I'm so proud of him for sharing his story and dedicating his life to stop hate.
January 22, 2009
Interesting book, I learned a lot. Loved the ending, he ends up joining the LDS church!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 15, 2009
I was shocked in the end. A true tesitment that anyone can be forgiven
April 6, 2010
Wow,an inspiring story that tells about the power of forgiveness and change. I would love to meet TJ Leyden.
February 28, 2014
A solid 3 stars, but giving it an extra star to balance out the skinhead here who gave it a one star.
November 27, 2012
I enjoyed this read. it was interesting and enlightening and showed that people can change. It was well written and flowed pretty well. a must
March 27, 2017
This was a world so far apart from my own. I'd never really understood the hierarchy or motive for joining white supremacist skinhead gangs and the intensity and hate fuelled culture. T J Leyden takes us fully into that world. Showing how he used music amongst other means to recruit which also shows the power that music can hold over us. It took T J Leyden becoming a father for him to get his wake up call and the latter half of the book tells us of how he fights to change.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews