Skinheads Shaved For Battle: A Cultural History of American Skinheads

by Jack B. Moore

This book describes who American skinheads are, how they have developed within larger youth group scenes, their ideas and activities, the role of music in their formation and development, how they have been perceived by the media in America, and what damage they have done in American society. Jack B. Moore focuses on the cultural history of this group in America during the 1980s and suggests that while they were originally a minor distraction on the punk scene, they have grown into a dangerous and far more politically engaged source of hate thought and crime.

208 pages, Paperback

First published June 15, 1993

About the author

Jack B. Moore is Professor and Chairman of the American Studies Department at the University of South Florida, Tampa.

Reviews

[Jim · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book read like a sloppily-written master's thesis. I was interested in the subject, but it was difficult to get around the writing and organization of the thing.

The book dates from the early 90s, when right-wing extremism and racism was very much in the news, both in America and in Europe. The author focuses on the neo-Nazi factions within the skinhead movement, ignoring the broader sociocultural phenomenon which included apolitical, left-wing, and anti-racist members.

While I was reading this, I went to the Wikipedia entry for skinheads, which focused on skinheads as a sub-set of punk, presenting rightwing racists as some sort of aberration within the sub-culture. Information on bands and fashion took up about 60% of the article.

Reading this book made me want to find a more comprehensive,up to date treatment of the subject.

[Jeff · Rating 1 out of 5]

Horrible. Typical academic writing in an ivory tower with absolutely no clue to as to what's really going on. He focuses obsessively on white power skinheads while pretty much dismissing anti-racist, leftist skins because in some cases they have been known to use violence against the racist skins. Give me a break. The tradition of anti-racism and equality is as old as the skinhead movement itself. Unfortunately this book, like most others written from an outside perspective, goes for the cheap shock value that is afforded by concentrating on white power skins.

[Tyff · Rating 1 out of 5]

this is the WORST book in the history of books. Not only is it badly researched, but its obvious this writer knows NOTHING about skinheads. He capitalized on the ignorance of the publisher on the topic. It is so fraught with errors and misstatements it borders on comical. Completely irresponsible writing and publishing and I hope the publisher kills it off and never reprints it ever again. I would never suggest this book to anyone researching skinheads. And anyone that gave it higher than the lowest star possible has zero clue about the topic and have been led astray.

If I could give this book NO Stars I would. HORRIBLE DON'T BOTHER READING IT!!!