Stanely Cohen's study of deviant groups - society's "folk devils" - and the public and media reaction to them, is widely hailed as a classic of its kind. With great insight he reviews recent theory and criticism about the concept of "moral panics" and discusses the moral panics surrounding the folk devils of recent times. '...a brilliant and sutble exercise in "grounded theory".' Stuart Hall, Emeritus Professor, The Open University 'Richly documented and convincingly presented' New Society