Travis Hirschi is one of the most cited criminologists of the twentieth century, yet it is remarkable how little is known about his life and career. Known as spokesperson for social control theory, Hirschi has been a controversial figure. He has challenged popular theories in criminal career research as well as the need for longitudinal studies of offenders and criminal justice policies. For Hirschi, ideas are always tied to the mode of investigation and the mode of investigation is always tied to substantive concerns. Thus, substantive theoretical contribution and research methodology have been the twin driving forces throughout his career. John Laub's introduction combines a discerning account of Hirschi's life and work, accompanied by an interview with the author. He divides the volume into four parts. Part 1, "Methodological Issues," includes two essays, "Principles of Causal Analysis" and "False Criteria of Causality in Delinquency Research," coauthored with Hanan C. Selvin, "The Methodological Adequacy of Longitudinal Research on Crime," coauthored with Michael R. Gottfredson, and Hirschi's "Procedural Rules and the Study of Deviant Behavior." Part 2, "Causes and Correlates of Crime and Delinquency," encompasses Hirschi's "A Control Theory of Delinquency," "Causes and Prevention of Delinquency," and "Family Structure and Crime"; with Rodney Stark, "Hellfire and Delinquency"; with Michael J. Hindelang, "Intelligence and Delinquency: A Revisionist Review"; with Michael Gottfredson, "Age and the Explanation of Crime." Part 3, "A General Theory of Crime," consists of "The Distinction between Crime and Criminality," "The Generality of Deviance," "Causes of White Collar Crime," and "Control Theory and the Life Course Perspective," all coauthored with Michael R. Gottfredson. Part 4, "Critiques of Theories and Research in Criminology," consists of Hirschi's "Separate and Unequal is Better," along with "The True Value of Lambda Would Appear to be Zero," "Rethinking the Juvenile Justice System," and "National Crime Control Policies," all coauthored with Michael Gottfredson.

Travis Hirschi is one of the most cited criminologists of the twentieth century. His work has provoked controversy and heated debates about the causes of crime, proper research methods, and the most effective policies to prevent and control crime. Known as a spokesperson for social control theory, Hirschi always ties his ideas to the mode of investigation and the mode of investigation to substantive concerns. Theoretical contributions and research methodology have been twin driving forces throughout his career. This book contains representative selections of Hirshi’s work over many years. It is remarkable how little is known about Hirschi’s life and career. John H. Laub’s introduction combines a discerning account of Hirschi’s life and work, accompanied by an interview with the author. Laub’s volume covers various topics: methodological issues; principles of casual analysis; criteria of causality; longitudinal research on crime; rules and the study of deviant behavior; correlations between crime and delinquency; control theory of delinquency; intelligence, causes, and prevention of delinquency; family structure and crime; theory of crime; crime and criminality; deviance; white collar crime; and juvenile justice systems. Now available in paperback, this is an invaluable text for courses in criminology, as well as a valuable addition to professional libraries.

Criminals attract an audience. People admire the sneakiness and creativity of the profession while cursing the dastardly outcomes. So why not have all of the tricks without the trade? This book brings together illicit behaviour and artistic expression with dark humour in this do-it-yourself project book. This book focuses on original crafts and recipes themed in noir, murder, retro espionage, pulp fiction, mafia, and voodoo. Crafters and mischief lovers alike will love this book of 30 projects revolving around notorious criminals and their activities. From John Dillinger's soap gun to Bonnie Parker's gunshot poetry journal, readers will find themselves both amused and intrigued with the devious creativity. Not to mention how impressed party guests will be when they show up to Flaming Amy cocktails and cocktail bars stashed in violin cases. And just wait until you show off your shiv cozy!

First Published in 2018. The Generality of Deviance advances the idea that all forms of deviant, criminal, reckless, and sinful behavior have one thing in common: the tendency to pursue immediate benefits without concern for long-term costs. The editors argue, and the contributors confirm, that such disparate behaviors as smoking, auto accidents, burglary, and rape are similar in that they all involve disregard for their inevitable consequences: poor health, injury, loss of freedom, shame, or disrepute. The chapters here show how various forms of deviance relate to one another and can be explained by a common theory involving self-management.The editors illustrate how the idea of self-control challenges the psychological concept of aggression and provides a more useful alternative for understanding deviant behavior. They also apply the theory to the family, showing how this institution is central to crime control. Other contributors bring fresh perspectives to a variety of topics: the uncanny similarities between victims of car accidents and perpetrators of crime; the connection between drugs and crime; feminist explanations of rape; gender differences in crime rates; drunk drivers among high school students; and the progression of a delinquent's life from adolescence to adulthood.In short, this book makes a convincing case that it is a waste of intellectual effort and public funds to treat different forms of crime and deviant behavior as distinct problems. Studied collectively, various crimes may be seen to have the same causes and, hence, one cure. The Generality of Deviance will be a significant and provocative addition to the libraries of criminolegists, psychologists, and sociologists, those attempting to solve as well as to identify problems.

What is the role and value of criminology in a democratic society? How do, and how should, its practitioners engage with politics and public policy? How can criminology find a voice in an agitated, insecure and intensely mediated world in which crime and punishment loom large in government agendas and public discourse? What collective good do we want criminological enquiry to promote? In addressing these questions, Ian Loader and Richard Sparks offer a sociological account of how criminologists understand their craft and position themselves in relation to social and political controversies about crime, whether as scientific experts, policy advisors, governmental players, social movement theorists, or lonely prophets. They examine the conditions under which these diverse commitments and affiliations arose, and gained or lost credibility and influence. This forms the basis for a timely articulation of the idea that criminology’s overarching public purpose is to contribute to a better politics of crime and its regulation. Public Criminology? offers an original and provocative account of the condition of, and prospects for, criminology which will be of interest not only to those who work in the fields of crime, security and punishment, but to anyone interested in the vexed relationship between social science, public policy and politics.

This text recognizes that crimes of the state are far more serious and harmful than crimes committed by individuals, and considers how such crimes may be contested, prevented, challenged or stopped.

Sensory Penalties aims to reinvigorate a conversation about the role of sensory experience in empirical investigation. It explores the visceral, personal reflections buried within forgotten criminological field notes, to ask what privileging these sensorial experiences does for how we understand and research spaces of punishment and social control.