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Description
In the third edition of Essential Criminology, authors Mark M. Lanier and Stuart Henry build upon their critical review of criminology, expanding their coverage of the multifaceted “Crime Prism,” adding boxed readings by both international theorists and students, and identifying the six fundamental world changes that are altering the way we think about crime. By reframing crime and its control in the context of global interdependence, the communications revolution, and changing perceptions of national security, the authors ask: what kind of criminology is needed for the twenty-first century? With cutting-edge updates and illustrative real-world examples of everything from Blackwater to government surveillance and Lombroso’s legacy to the global spread of disease, this text is a necessity for both undergraduate and graduate courses in criminology.
Mark Lanier is associate professor of criminal justice at the University of Central Florida. He is the author or editor of numerous books, including The Essential Criminology Reader (with Stuart Henry).
Stuart Henry is professor of criminal justice and director of the School of Public Affairs at San Diego State University and visiting professor of criminology at the University of Kent, Canterbury, England. He is the author of more than twenty books including the classic The Hidden Economy.
About the Authors
Mark Lanier is professor and chair of the department of Criminal Justice at the University of Alabama. He is the author or editor of multiple books on crime, including The Essential Criminology Reader (with Stuart Henry).
Stuart Henry is professor of criminal justice and director of the School of Public Affairs at San Diego State University and visiting professor of criminology at the University of Kent, Canterbury, England. He is the author of more than twenty books including the classic The Hidden Economy.
“Essential Criminology is a text for this century. It puts 'crime' in the context of globalization, communication, privatization, disease, security and terrorism. While other texts are still echoing concern with 19th century street crime, this book grapples with these crimes as well as the crimes of the imagined future: that which students must know. In an age of vulgar summaries and often wrong synopses, this book stands out. I recommend to scholars and to students alike. It really is essential. —Peter K. Manning, Northeastern University
In the third edition of this rich, accessible, and exciting text, Lanier and Henry have gone global in their approach to crime, criminology, and criminological theory. Their nuanced examination and synthesis of theory development—past, present, and future—is as good as it gets. My students, who gave the earlier editions high marks for conceptual clarity and applied orientation, will love the new version for the same reasons and especially because this text is located within a changing world that they find themselves a party to. —Gregg Barak, Eastern Michigan University
“Essential Criminology presents a multi-disciplinary and integrated approach to understanding, studying, and researching criminal behaviour. With the introduction of the crime prism, Lanier and Henry have provided a broader framework to the concept of crime and criminal behaviour. The interconnectedness of the world has generated transnational crimes such human trafficking, organized crime, terrorism, environmental crime and drug trafficking. In Essential Criminology the feminist perspective is provided to explain female criminal behaviour as central to criminal activities and new directions in criminological theory are explained. Professionals working in the fields of public health, criminology, criminal justice and legal policy making, and crime prevention through environmental design will greatly benefit from this book. —Thozama Lutya, University of Pretoria
“Essential Criminology is a pretty bold title. It suggests that the authors, Mark Lanier and Stuart Henry, have produced a text that provides all a student needs to understand crime … After reading this innovative text, I am convinced that the authors made good on their title.” –Teaching Sociology
Praise for Previous Editions:
Comprehensive, accessible, engaging, and concise, covering key theories from conservative to critical with very useful early chapters on defining criminology, crime, and crime data. Each subsequent chapter includes a succinct overview of a set of core theories, an illuminating section on limitations and policy implications, and a precise summary of key points (including basic idea, human nature, society and social order, causality, criminal justice policy and practice, and evaluation). Unlike many texts, this inclusion provides the student and the well-versed abundant opportunities for engagement and critical dialogue. No text on theories of crime on the market can compete with the extensive and precise coverage of core theories in crime causation along with the seductive encouragement to actively engage the respective theories. Essential Criminology is also futuristic, providing the grounds for constructive critical engagement with emerging perspectives. This will not only appeal to students but also to those well-versed seeking a comprehensive, critical reference text. Three cheers for the innovative and comprehensive exposition and critique! —Dr. Dragan Milovanovic, Justice Studies, Northeastern Illinois University
Represents the first important shift in the content and presentation of introductory criminology textbooks in over 29 years. Students at the college level receive an introduction to the past wealth of criminological thought as well as new ideas on the topic. This simplifies arguments and perspectives yet contains all the overview of important issues central to criminology theory.” —The Bookwatch
1. What is Criminology: The Study of Crime, Criminals, and Victims
2. Classical, Neoclassical and Rational Choice Theories
3. "Born to Be Bad:" Biological, Physiological, and Biosocial Theories of Crime
4. Criminal Minds: Psychiatric and Psychological Explanations for Crime
5. Learning Criminal Behavior: Social Process Theories
6. Failed Socialization: Control Theory, Social Bonds, and Labeling
7. Social Ecology and Cultural Theories of Crime
8. The Sick Society: Anomie, Strain, and Subcultural Theory
9. Capitalism as a Criminogenic Society: Conflict, Marxist, and Radical Theories of Crime
10. Patriarchy, Gender, and Crime: Feminist Criminological Theory
11. Criminologies for the Twenty-First Century: Globalization, an issue of War or Peace?
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