Based on fifteen years of research, Dr. Mark Totten offers a compelling look at gangs across Canada. He interviewed over 500 members to trace their journeys from childhood to gang life.

Challenging common perceptions, Totten examines how poverty, family breakdown, and social exclusion drive young people toward violence. He also explores the near-impossibility of escaping gang culture, where exit often means imprisonment, injury, or death.

Readers gain an unflinching view of internal hierarchies, recruitment strategies, and daily realities within Canadian gangs. The book sheds light on:

• Root causes of gang involvement
• Profiles of members from different regions
• The role of violence and loyalty
• Obstacles to rehabilitation and reform

Nasty, Brutish and Short is essential for anyone studying criminology, social work, or seeking to understand the human stories behind headlines on gang violence in Canada.

Ideal for policy makers, researchers, or anyone interested in Canadian social issues.

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