Synopses & Reviews
The Fourth Edition of
Criminology is Piers Beirne and James W. Messerschmidt's well-respected and comprehensive introduction to the study of crime and criminological theory. The authors take a critical sociological approach that emphasizes the relationship between four different sociological variables (gender, class, race, age) and crime. Thoroughly revised and updated, the new edition features numerous additions, both empirical and theoretical, including globalization, cyberstalking, computer crime, animal abuse, the latest corporate scandals (Enron, Worldcom, etc.), violence by college athletes, election fraud, and terrorism.
One of the main strengths of this text is the way in which the authors trace the historical development of criminological theory and place the development of each theory in a historically specific set of social, economic, and political circumstances. Definitions of crime and the measurement of crime are subjected to a critical analysis that focuses on the social construction of crime and crime rates. The authors explore a wide range of research on property crimes and interpersonal violence as well as syndicated, white-collar, and political crimes. The chapter on the study of crime and victimization in a cross-national context helps students understand the importance of viewing crime through a culturally relative lens, as well as the problems associated with making cross-national generalizations regarding crime.
Throughout the text, Beirne and Messerschmidt address historical, feminist, and comparative perspectives highlighting the major types of crime and victimization patterns. Their introduction addresses two key questions: "What is crime?" and "How is it measured?" The authors then debunk the major crime myths that are recreated daily and the notion that the most serious crimes are committed by the urban underclass.
Written in student-oriented, accessible language, Criminology increases understanding through the abundant use of relevant illustrations, examples, and case studies. End-of-chapter key terms, discussion questions, additional readings, a glossary, and suggested websites further support student learning.
Review
"This book stands head and shoulders above most criminology textbooks because it provides a clearly critical sociological perspective on the problem of crime, while giving a balanced overview of the field in its entirety. It logically organizes appropriate content, and does so through a writing style that is both sophisticated yet accessible to the average student."--Raymond Michalowski,
Northern Arizona UniversityReview
"It would be hard to find a more thorough and wide-reaching criminology text than this one! From basic chapters defining crime and the criminal justice system to excellent overviews of classical through contemporary theories, this book is an outstanding choice for undergraduates as a comprehensive basic text. Beirne and Messerschmidt are also careful to provide sophisticated analyses of international developments and the relevance of globalization for students interested in crime."--Lynn S. Chancer, Hunter College and the City University of New York Graduate Center
"This book stands head and shoulders above most criminology textbooks because it provides a clearly critical sociological perspective on the problem of crime, while giving a balanced overview of the field in its entirety. It logically organizes appropriate content, and does so through a writing style that is both sophisticated yet accessible to the average student."--Raymond Michalowski, Northern Arizona University
Synopsis
Ideal for undergraduate courses in criminology--especially those taught from a critical perspective--
Criminology: A Sociological Approach, Fifth Edition, is a comprehensive yet highly accessible introduction to the study of crime and criminological theory. Authors Piers Beirne and James W. Messerschmidt present the topic from a sociological standpoint, emphasizing the social construction of crime and showing how crime relates to gender, class, race, and age. Providing students with a strong theoretical foundation, the book also addresses historical, feminist, and comparative perspectives and highlights the major types of crime and victimization patterns.
The text is divided into three Parts:
* Part I focuses on three questions: "What is crime?" "How can we measure how much crime there is in the United States?" and finally, "How can we compare rates of crime in different societies?"
* Part II is a systematic guide to modern criminological theory and its historical development.
* Part III examines specific types of crime, including property crime, interpersonal violence, white-collar crime, and political crime.
Written in student-friendly language, Criminology uses abundant illustrations, examples, and case studies to elucidate key points. The text also offers many helpful learning aids, including chapter previews, lists of key terms, chapter reviews, questions for class discussion, and suggestions for further study.
NEW TO THE FIFTH EDITION
* Moves the theory chapters to earlier in the book, helping to better connect them with one another
* Reorganizes the chapters on theory to showcase the self-contained, internally coherent nature of criminology--rather than criminology's place in the historical record
* Adds examples throughout
* Presents new and up-to-date empirical data in all sections
* Discusses many new topics, including cultural criminology and green criminology
* Covers numerous types of crime that were not discussed in previous editions (e.g., whiteness and crime, the rape-war connection, Ponzi schemes, domestic right-wing terrorism, and state- sanctioned torture)
Synopsis
Ideal for undergraduate courses in criminology--especially those taught from a critical perspective--
Criminology: A Sociological Approach, Fifth Edition, is a comprehensive yet highly accessible introduction to the study of crime and criminological theory. Authors Piers Beirne and James W. Messerschmidt present the topic from a sociological standpoint, emphasizing the social construction of crime and showing how crime relates to gender, class, race, and age. Providing students with a strong theoretical foundation, the book also addresses historical, feminist, and comparative perspectives and highlights the major types of crime and victimization patterns.
The text is divided into three Parts:
* Part I focuses on three questions: "What is crime?" "How can we measure how much crime there is in the United States?" and finally, "How can we compare rates of crime in different societies?"
* Part II is a systematic guide to modern criminological theory and its historical development.
* Part III examines specific types of crime, including property crime, interpersonal violence, white-collar crime, and political crime.
Written in student-friendly language, Criminology uses abundant illustrations, examples, and case studies to elucidate key points. The text also offers many helpful learning aids, including chapter previews, lists of key terms, chapter reviews, questions for class discussion, and suggestions for further study.
NEW TO THE FIFTH EDITION
* Moves the theory chapters to earlier in the book, helping to better connect them with one another
* Reorganizes the chapters on theory to showcase the self-contained, internally coherent nature of criminology--rather than criminology's place in the historical record
* Adds examples throughout
* Presents new and up-to-date empirical data in all sections
* Discusses many new topics, including cultural criminology and green criminology
* Covers numerous types of crime that were not discussed in previous editions (e.g., whiteness and crime, the rape-war connection, Ponzi schemes, domestic right-wing terrorism, and state- sanctioned torture)
About the Author
Piers Beirne is Professor of Sociology and Legal Studies in the Department of Criminology at the University of Southern Maine.
James W. Messerschmidt is Professor of Sociology and Women and Gender Studies in the Department of Criminology at the University of Southern Maine.
Table of Contents
PART I: INTRODUCTION TO CRIMINOLOGY Chapter 1. The Problem of Crime
Images of Crime
Crime, Criminal Law, and Criminalization
Crime as a Sociological Problem
Chapter 2. The Measurement of Crime
Caution: Data Do Not Speak for Themselves
Official Crime Data
Unofficial Crime Data
Chapter 3. Comparative Criminology and Globalization
Approaching Comparative Criminology
Comparative Crime and Victimization Data
Cross-National Generalizations Regarding Crime
PART II: CRIMINOLOGICAL THEORY
Chapter 4. Inventing Criminology: Classicism, Positivism, and Beyond
The Enlightenment and Classical Criminology
The Emergence of Positivist Criminology
Neoclassical Criminology
Chapter 5. Social Structure, Anomie, and Crime
Durkheim's Sociology of Law and Crime
Social Structure, Anomie, and Deviance
Revised Strain Theory
Chapter 6. Delinquent Subcultures, Subcultures of Delinquency, and the Labeling Perspective
The Chicago School of Criminology, Disorganization, and Delinquency
Delinquent Subcultures
Matza's Delinquency and Drift
The Labeling Perspective
Chapter 7. Social Learning and Social Control Theories
Differential Association
Social Learning
Social Control
Self-Control
Control Balance
Chapter 8. The Conflict Tradition
Marxism, Law, and Crime
Conflict Theory
Radical Criminology
Chapter 9. Feminist Criminology and Critical Criminologies
Feminist Criminology
Critical Criminologies
PART III: INEQUALITIES AND CRIME
Chapter 10. Inequality, Crime, and Victimization
Class and Crime
Gender and Crime
Race and Crime
Age and Crime
Chapter 11. Property Crime
Robbery and Burglary
Varieties of Larceny
Dealing and Damage
Chapter 12. Interpersonal Violence
Murder, Assault, Hate Crimes, and Rape
Interpersonal Violence in the Family
Interpersonal Violence in the Workplace
Chapter 13. White-Collar Crime
Occupational Crime
Corporate Crime
Transnational Corporate
Chapter 14. Political Crime
Political Crimes against the State
Domestic Political Crimes by the State
Transnational Political Crimes by the State
Glossary
References
Author Index
Subject Index