Vampires, Dragons, and Egyptian Kings

This historical study explores the culture of postwar youth gangs in New York. The text takes us into a world of switchblades and slums, zoot suits and bebop music to explain why youth gangs emerged, how they evolved and why young men found membership, and the violence it involved, so attractive.

---

They called themselves "Vampires", "Dragons", and "Egyptian Kings". They were divided by race, ethnicity and neighbourhood boundaries, but united by common styles, slang and codes of honour. They fought - and sometimes killed - to protect and expand their territories. In postwar New York, youth gangs were a colourful and controversial part of the urban landscape, made famous by "West Side Story" and infamous by the media. This is a historical study which explores the culture of these gangs. Author Eric Schneider takes us into a world of switchblades and slums, zoot suits and bebop music to explain why youth gangs emerged, how they evolved, and why young men found membership and the violence it involved, so attractive. Schneider focuses on the years from 1940 to 1975, but takes us up to the present in his conclusion, showing how youth gangs are no longer social organizations but economic units tied to the underground economy.