Julius Clark Jones Releases A Brothaz Love to Confront Gang Violence and Inspire Change
Updated: Aug 5
"Title: A Brothaz Love" eBook: by Julius Clark Jones is a raw, unfiltered autobiographical look into how environmental trauma, broken homes, and systemic pressures drive youth toward gang violence.
What the eBook is about
The narrative focuses on the real-life story of Julian Raskho, also known as "Infrared 1," a reputable figure from the Newport News, Virginia East Coast chapter of the "Naybahood Bloods".
The Transformation: It details Julian’s early life as a sensitive, emotional "mama's boy". His trajectory radically shifted after his parents' divorce left his single mother struggling financially.
The Descent: After moving into drug-infested and gang-occupied neighborhoods, Julian and his older brother, Joel ("Red Haze 1"), turned to gang banging and drug dealing to seek a sense of belonging.
The Consequences: The book highlights the violent realities of street life. Julian was shot five times and ended up serving a federal prison sentence. Meanwhile, his older brother served a state sentence and was tragically murdered by rival gang members less than six months after his release.
The Message: Julius Clark Jones uses this brutal history to shed light on complex topics like community colorism, fractured self-perception, and the hollow glorification of gang culture. The book aims to serve as a gang-prevention tool and a blueprint for youth looking to change their lives.
What readers and reviewers are saying
Reviews highlight the book's intense realism and its value as an educational tool for community outreach.
Raw and Authentic Reality: Readers appreciate that the book strips away the glamorous Hollywood or rap-industry myths surrounding street life. It gives first-hand, heartbreaking accounts of what actually happens behind the scenes.
Impactful Lessons on Belonging: Reviewers note how effectively the text outlines the step-by-step difficulties of growing up in broken environments. It explicitly illustrates how a lack of guidance forces young Black men to seek validation and protection through gang ties.
A Call for Change: Audiences praise the author’s shift from the streets to community advocacy, noting that the inclusion of real community pictures and vulnerable life stories acts as a powerful deterrent for at-risk youth.
Major retailers & digital ecosystems
Apple Books: Available for Apple users. You can purchase and read it directly through the native Apple Books app on an iPhone, iPad, or Mac.
Rakuten Kobo: Available globally for Kobo eReaders and the Kobo desktop/mobile reading apps.
Barnes & Noble Nook: Accessible digitally for Nook devices and the B&N mobile app marketplace.
Google Play Books: Available for Android users and web browsers directly through the Google Play store catalog.
Smashwords: An open multi-format indie eBook catalog offering direct DRM-free file downloads (EPUB/PDF formats).
Casa del Libro: If you are looking for international availability, the English eBook version is listed on major global networks like the Spanish distributor Casa del Libro.
Subscription & library lending apps
Scribd / Everand: A monthly subscription platform providing instant digital streaming access to independent titles without individual purchases.
OverDrive / Libby: Allows readers to check out the digital version for free using a local public library card.
Hoopla Digital: A library media platform offering immediate digital borrowing with no waitlists, depending on your public library's network catalog.
