"Messy, sometimes tender, always brutal, Mark Tottens stories of ten different gang-bangers all inhabit the feral streets of our inner cities. In clear and unsentimental prose he draws a line from early poverty and abuse towards addiction and violence, a line as straight and undeniable as destiny."
- Stephen Reid, author of A Crowbar in the Buddhist Garden
"Hidden under the cloak of anonymity these ten criminals are able to tell their tales of their lost worlds with brutal honesty. A triumph in exploring the depths of the drug addicted and how their unrelenting struggle keeps them in a life of crime. While at times it felt as though I was reading a biographical news article, I applaud Mark Totten for being able to bring these peoples stories to life in their own words."
- Ranj Dhaliwal, author of Daaku: The Gangster's Life
"Although there is no shortage of books written by 'experts' on gangs, this book offers a visceral accounting about the lives of ten (former) high profile Canadian gang members. Capitalizing on his twenty-five years of related work with gangs and gang members, Totten offers a refreshing yet provocative insight not only about the 'how' of gang life but more importantly the 'why' of gang involvement."
- John Winterdyk, Professor of Justice Studies, Mount Royal University
"Anyone who thinks Canada does not have a serious gang-violence problem should take off their rose-coloured glasses and read Mark Totten's chilling book."
- Robert Rotenberg, author of Stranglehold
"Mark Totten has done a masterful job humanizing the lives of gangsters."
- Bob Mills, Superintendant, RCMP, Strategic Operations branch, Regina, SK
"Dr. Totten's brave new book, Gang Life, provides an extremely rare and remarkably insightful examination of the violent, troubled, and often shortened lives of individual gang members."
- Peggy Rudin, Executive Director, Prince Albert Youth Outreach Program
"An excellent resource for foster parents, social workers, teachers and many other professionals who work with youth at risk."
- Stella Bone, Executive Director, Winnipeg's West Region Child & Family Services
"This is a powerful inside look at lives about which we hear a great deal but seldom take the time to really understand. Totten does a wonderful job of giving them voice, making these individuals seem much more human, and more vulnerable, than we might want to believe."
- Michael Ungar, Network Director, Children and Youth in Challenging Contexts (CCYC) Network
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