Subjects:  1. Jurisprudence    2. Law    3. Legal Reference / Law Profession    4. Crime & criminology    5. Law / Jurisprudence   

Reviews (14)

Another Fine Crime Files Book
Ann is my favorite true crime writer; in fact, she's pretty much the only one I read regularly.I really enjoy her story-like style which allows the case to unfold in a very real and natural feeling way. I especially have appreciated this series, with a "main" case and then several short story length ones after.
Ann Rule Gets Better With Each Book
The most recent release of one of the best true crime authors Ann Rule, is a great compilation of stories relating the tales of those depraved, twisted individuals that found others lives to be more valuable to them, whether financially or physically, dead than alive.
Another Great Read, Better than Last Few
First, I am a fan of Ann Rule.I feel she handles her genre expertly.With the past few crime files books, however, I found myself becoming a little disappointed although I still enjoyed her books.I felt that too much time was spent on the detectives (yes, I am sure that her police background makes her partial) and I found that old cases were being written about without any new information added.Along came this book and I purchased it expecting to be entertained but not expecting the book to be up to Ms. Rule's usual standard.Well, this book surprised me.I thoroughly enjoyed the five stories in this volume and I will now look at the next in the crime files a bit differently and without skepticism.I feel like this is a worthy book and not one that the publisher was in a hurry to get "out there" in order to make a buck.Whether you are new to Ann's book or someone who has read everything she has written, you will enjoy this book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Case studies    2. Cold cases (Criminal investigation)    3. Criminology    4. Infamous Crimes And Criminals    5. Murder    6. Murder - General    7. True Crime    8. True Crime / Espionage    9. United States    10. True Crime / Murder   

Reviews (1)

Shaking habits
Originating from the Forensic University of Lausanne (Switzerland), the authors produced an up-to-date register of not only optico-physico-chemical skin impression developments, but also of their interpretation to produce a ridge (fingerprint, barefoot) individualization.Read more

Subjects:  1. Criminal Law - General    2. Criminal investigation    3. Fingerprints    4. Forensic Science    5. Forensic sciences    6. Identification    7. Legal Reference / Law Profession    8. Life Sciences - Human Anatomy & Physiology    9. Science    10. Science/Mathematics    11. Criminal investigation & detection    12. Law / Forensic Science   

Subjects:  1. Case studies    2. Criminology    3. Mass murder    4. Serial murders    5. Social Science    6. Sociology    7. United States    8. Offenders    9. Psychology    10. Social Science / Criminology   

Reviews (1)

Not as Good as Some Years
This year's edition of Otto Penzler's and Thomas H. Cook's BEST AMERICAN CRIME WRITING hasn't a whole lot to recommend it, and most of these stories are pretty blah.I don't know if good crime writing needs space to expand, and suffer with the enforced brevity of a newspaper article or magazine piece, but these tales seem like they were fished out of ancient copies of READERS DIGEST.
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Subjects:  1. Collections Of Monographs, Essays (Multi-Subject)    2. Crime And Criminals    3. Criminology    4. General    5. Sociology    6. True Crime    7. True Crime / Espionage    8. True Crime / General   

Reviews (26)

The Encyclopedia of Serial Killers by Michael Newton
The Encyclopedia of Serial Killers is by Michael Newton. It is encyclopedic in scope. A lot of research has been done about murderers and their motives. Much of the research overlooks the fact that the most prolific serial killers were socialists, both as representatives of the government, or as individual murderers.
The Encyclopedia Schools Haven't Found Out About Yet...
....and I'm glad they haven't! This book both disturbed and fascinated me. It's nothing less than a compilation of all the notable people throughout history twisted enough to turn to killing innocent people for personal pleasure (most crimes are sexual, too). Although I normally love this stuff, this book disturbed me more than any others have (including "In Cold Blood" by Truman Capote, which came close). I mean....at the risk of sounding hopelessly naive, THIS IS REAL. I can read story after Stephen King story, but these are real crimes and real killers.
Interesting
I felt the book was very interesting, very well organized, but to me it lacked something. Not sure how to put my finger on it but a good reference. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Criminology    2. Encyclopedias    3. Homicide    4. Murder - General    5. Nonfiction - True Crime / Espionage    6. Serial murderers    7. Social Science    8. True Crime    9. True Crime / Espionage    10. English    11. Reference works   

Reviews (32)

Intriguing, but not really worth the hype.
I heard so much about this book I got curious and sought it out. According to the stories, it's a diabolical guide to committing murder full of dangerous information.
Old tech that still may work today
This book was interesting back when I first saw it, in the 80's. My friend and I found it rummaging through his father's closet. At the time his father was in the police department, and simply had interesting books, this one was one of them.
don't waste money
This is a great book.However, unless you're a book collector...don't waste your money.After the said lawsuit was finish between the publisher and the plantiff. The publisher dropped the copyright vowing to never publish it again.This allowed anyone to provide it free via copies; internet; etc.If you want to just read the book visit-- ftp.die.net/mirror/hitman/ ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Criminal methods    2. Handbooks, manuals, etc    3. Murder    4. Murder for hire    5. True Crime / Espionage    6. Other Technologies   

Reviews (7)

Hopeful
Would give this book 5 stars for the hopeful ideas about rehabilitating violent youth offenders.Successful treatment program could be used nationwide and lead to increased rehabilitation instead of increased recidivism.Youths from horrific backgrounds and who committed horrendous crimes begin to feel empathy and remorse.

a dose of a different reality
For those of us who have been sheltered from the abuse and misery caused by illegal drugs, both passed on unfailingly from one generation to the next, this books is almost an overdose of what reality is like for the abused children of users.It is also an absorbing account of pain and hope in the Texas juvenile justice system.I'm glad I heard the author interviewed on NPR, and I'm glad I read his skillful account of one program in the justice system that appears to work.

perspective is excellent
Hubner's perspective is excellent.As a former case worker with Juvenile Delinquents I found his research impressive and his insights even more impressive.A must read for those in the field or interested. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Correction Of Crime And Delinquency    2. Criminology    3. General    4. Giddings State School    5. Juvenile corrections    6. Juvenile delinquents    7. Juvenile justice, Administration of    8. Penology    9. Rehabilitation    10. Social Science    11. Sociology    12. Texas    13. Current Events / General   

Reviews (118)

Great Read
Very easy reading book seems to give the reader a pretty good taste of the current MC world.

Excellent
I could not put this book down. It gave me great insight on the world of motorcycle gangs.

GREAT BOOK!!
I have read several books on this subject. This is the very best!! Some have complained about the writing style, but this book was written by a former undercover agent, not an author. It is a very easy read and gives good insight into both sides of the law. The good on both sides, and the bad. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography / Autobiography    2. California    3. General    4. Motorcycle gangs    5. Political Freedom & Security - Law Enforcement    6. Queen, William    7. Specific Groups - General    8. True Crime    9. Undercover operations    10. United States    11. True Crime / General   

Subjects:  1. Criminal Law - General    2. Criminology    3. Law    4. Sociology    5. Crime & criminology    6. Law / Criminal Law   

Editorial Review

When telecommunications companies merge, the news is immediately analyzed by the media and government agencies. Owners of the companies' stock immediately vote on the wisdom of the move by buying or selling. But when criminal organizations merge and make their operations global, it takes years for law enforcement to figure out what happened, who was involved, and what the implications are. Ever since Italian-American mobster Lucky Luciano linked Mafia families in Sicily and the U.S., crime cartels have been finding ways to expand their operations across national borders, making those countries' policemen play an extended game of catch-up. Jeffrey Robinson is an authority on international crime, especially money laundering, and his book Read more

Reviews (19)

Grab-bag of crime stories lacks focus
An unstructured sampler of crime anecdotes does not add up to a well-developed book-length thesis.
A complex subject presented with the drama of a novel
An outstanding look at modern international crime. Robinson has all the details and facts but puts them together in a compelling fashion that makes this book as much a page-turner as any crime novel. He has a knack for taking a complex subject and making it very clear without dumbing it down. I highly recommend this book, especially if you want to know why the "war on drugs" is failing miserably.

good insights into the mire
The Cali cartel, whose profits dwarf those of America's largest companies, have a simple mode of operating. All potential partners fill in a simple form listing the names and addresses of all their living relatives so these urbane men know whom to knock off, if they are double-crossed.
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Subjects:  1. Criminology    2. General    3. Organized Crime    4. Politics - Current Events    5. Politics / Current Events    6. Social Science    7. Sociology    8. Transnational crime    9. True Crime / Organized Crime   

Editorial Review

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Reviews (55)

No such thing as ethical hacking
Face it, whether you're a white hat or a black hat - hacking is hacking.Alas, the term "ethical hacker" is merely a way for those breaking the law to rationalize their behavior.Littman did a great job of exposing this great debate in the book.In the field of information security, Mitnick is known to all of us as the king of social engineering.Let's be completely honest (even Mitnick and Littman exposed this in the book)... Kevin is not good at hacking but rather at exploiting the human factor.That is - humans are the weakest link in this whole information security thing - not the systems themselves.You want to design a secure system? - educate your users, administrators, managers and executives on how to be wise and vigilant and adhere to a sound security policy.
This is a book about lifestyle, not technology
If you're interested in the technical side of Mitnick's computer vandalism, you won't find it here.You will, however, get a glimpse into his personality and lifestyle, as well as an idea into those of other famous computer criminals of the '90s. Better than similar books, not great
I wish this book had been focused on the media coverage of "hackers." The book does expose how tech companies, and the media, especially Markoff from the NY Times, exploited Mitnik and his story.It also shows the incompetance of the FBI and other agencies in dealing with Mitnik, trying to make him an example for others and nearly making him a martyr instead. This story has no heroes, and its painfully noticeable that even the author is milking the "hacker" phenomenon for what its worth. It is the pathetic world of a computer prankster, his malicious "friends" and a host of others determined to pad their resumes with Mitnik's misery. "The Watchman" was more informative and satisfying, however this is the most fair and balanced treatment of Mitnick's story I've read. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. (Kevin David),    2. 1963-    3. Computer crimes    4. Computer hackers    5. Criminology    6. General    7. Internet    8. Investigation    9. Mitnick, Kevin D    10. Other Miscellaneous Crimes    11. Psychology    12. Security measures    13. Social Science    14. Sociology    15. True Crime / Espionage    16. United States    17. Computer games    18. Current Events / General    19. USA   

Reviews (4)

Masterpiece -- The Art and Science of Interviewing and Interrogation
This book is the benchmark by which all other books on the art and science of interviewing and interrogation should be measured.It is truly a grand tour in every sense of the term.The text covers the greatest discoveries, techniques and practices in the field, and provides valuable insights by the authors, who are widely acknowledged experts and seasoned practitioners.The historical basis for truth-determining techniques is discussed at some length.However, the book really shines in its coverage of interviewing and interrogation theories and techniques developed over the past eighty years, paralleling the great advancements in law enforcement and psychology.The authors present a concise, insightful and balanced examination of the significant theories and theoreticians in the field, all the while drawing upon their substantial knowledge and expertise when evaluating and assessing the various theories and techniques discussed throughout the book.Their observations on interrogation ethics post 9-11 are thought-provoking.
Effective Interviewing and Interrogation Techniques
I have read several books on this topic in the past.I found this book to be very interesting and easy reading.It contained excellent information applicable for anyone involved in the field of interviewing. This Book Delivers
I have just finished reading this book and I am thoroughly impressed with it's attention to detail, usable procedures, and overall organization.It was a very quick read, and I now feel like an expert in the art of interrogation.I am already confidently putting these new techniques into practice and seeing results.If your goal is attaining the truth in an interview situation, buy & read this book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Forensic Psychology    2. Forensic Science    3. Interviewing    4. Interviewing in law enforcement    5. Legal Reference / Law Profession    6. Police questioning    7. Political Freedom & Security - Law Enforcement    8. Political Science    9. Politics/International Relations    10. Criminal investigation & detection    11. Psychology & Psychiatry / Forensic Psychology   

Subjects:  1. Cases    2. Civil rights    3. Criminal Investigation    4. Criminal Procedure    5. Law    6. Legal Reference / Law Profession    7. United States    8. Crime & criminology    9. Criminal law    10. Social Science / Criminology   

Reviews (7)

Good overview, not definitive
Unlike one of the other previous reviewers, though I am generally a conservative, I would agree with this book's primary conclusion: the NRA has had a disproportionate impact on the politics of gun control.
Politics of Gun Control - Another liberal hatchet job
I read this book because I was required to in College. It is painfully, obvious that it was written from a predetermined conclusion. The history of the NRA is especially vicious. The author chastises the NRA at several points for the NRA early support by Government by subsidies, use of Nat'l parks to train WWII soldiers how to shoot, etc. The author essential argument that anyone that has ever received support from Gov't has duty not to ever to oppose the government in anything. In the beginning he points out that this book he will not examine gun control polices in foreign countries, yet on several instances he cites them (Canada for instance) to make his point, but nevertheless totally neglects gun control failures such as England and Austrailia (See London Times 1/16/2000 for details on this) . He quickly glosses over concealed weapon laws citing statistics showimng their failure, when a number of policy studies have concluded the opposite that Concealed weapon laws do in fact reduce crime.If you want one-sided reading of gun control this is your best bet.

Not For Those Who Have Already Made Up Their Minds
I wonder if the reader from Glen Ellen CA and I read the same book?That review seemed to my mind an excellent example of tediously shaving facts to fit one's predilections- much more so than the actual work in question.Read more

Subjects:  1. Gun control    2. Political Freedom & Security - Law Enforcement    3. Politics / Current Events    4. Sociology    5. United States    6. Central government policies    7. Crime & criminology    8. USA    9. Violence in society   

Reviews (3)

A great social/behavioral science book
I've now read this book about 10 times over the past three years while teaching an evolution of human behavior course at the college where I'm employed.I was motivated to say a few supportive words about this book because I have become convinced of its groundbreaking importance in the scientific literature.After a decade of reading and studying evolutionary anthropology/psychology I find no other single book that so clearly and convincingly articulates the application of Darwinian thinking to modern human behavior. It is a perfect text to use with students as it not only teaches a wealth of information, but is also an excellent example of critical interpretation of data.Many of my students have commented on the power of this book to transform them into appreciative readers of science.From my own experience, it is one of a few books that transformed me from a standard social science undergraduate--mired in theoretical mush--into a more critical and thoughtful scholar.The other books that influenced me were by Sarah Hrdy, Don Symons, and later,Jarome Barkow et al.I encourage anyone interested in human behavior to read this book.Bring along a collegiate dictionary if yourvocabulary is anything like that of my undergraduates!

Compelling analysis of the phenomenon of homicide.
Although nominally about the material designated in its title, this book is no mere collection of statistics, but contains wide-ranging discussions of evolutionary psychology, which Daly & Wilson use as the framework for an understanding of the phenomenon of homicide. So if the propensity to homicide is bred into the human race by millennia of natural selection, so also are other phenomenawith which society struggles, like sexual harassment. I guess my point is that this book is about homicide and more. It's also lucid and even witty. It reads like a detective story, which indeed it is, but the culprit here is manifold rather than singular. The book will also furnish guidance to those who subscribe to the view thatarrest, conviction, and incarceration will have only limited effects on the homicide rate, and that homicide be treated also as a public health problem. Daly & Wilson consider anthropological data from around the world and historical data as well to draw their inferences. In the most common type of murder the perpetrator and victim are young men who know each other and are in (ostensible) conflict over some trivial matter.But Daly & Wilson say that murder is the rare outcome of a common situation where two men face off against each other with each trying to appear more formidable and dangerous than the other.The(biological) reason they behave as they do is that such behavior causes them to acquire (or keep) control of the reproductive behavior of their women.Think about it: wimps, who allowed their women to be taken away from themselves, left no wimp genes in the gene pool. Of course there are a lot of other kinds of murders: children are occasionally murdered, sometimes by their natural parents, but more often by step-parents.It appears that there is a basis for the ever-popular myth (in many cultures, not just western European) of the evil step-parent.Husbands murder wives, but this seems to be a case of violence being usedto control the wife's reproductive behavior, and the violence gets out of hand. When wives murder husbands (a rarer occurrence) it tends to be defensive in nature. Wonderful book! Very thought provoking.

pick and shovel
This book presents the view of evolucionist pychology. These authors have some excellent points, especially concerning social anthropology and some of Freud's misinformation, and anyone interested in psychology should not miss this book.However, once the authors have given an overview of behavior in the species homo sapiens, their theories cannot be translated to the individual.They have not taken into consideration the complexity of the human brain and the resultant behavior, especially the ability to symbolize.I felt like I was reading a book on how to assemble a Swiss watch using a pick and shovel ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Anthropology - General    2. Behavior evolution    3. General    4. Homicide    5. Murder - General    6. Psychological aspects    7. Psychology    8. Research & Methodology    9. True Crime / Espionage    10. Crime & criminology    11. Law / General   

Reviews (32)

Blow
The up your nose, in-your-face life of George Jung, the high-school football star from small-town USA who became the American linchpin of the Columbium cocaine cartel.Jung is talked about his earlier years as a poor student, risk taker from a shaky family but the story comes to age as he takes off for California for a haze of sunbathing, sex, pot, and LSD.Soon enough George is arrested and his operation is on hold temporarily.In prison, Jung befriends a young Carlos Lehder and links up with the Medallion cartel, which gross 35 billion in cocaine sales a year.Money, Learjets, fast cars, and very wild women make this story a big success.George Jung did what he considered the best thing he would be at and took it to a level of unknown power.During the 1980's if you snorted cocaine you had an 85% you bought it from him or people he supplied to.I would recommend this book to people that can feel remorse for what a man did only for the reason he was good at it and enjoyed what he did.George Jung lived the American Dream in his own aspect and I will respect him for what he did and what he regrets.

Sloppy job, but still interesting
Aware that the movie is only loosely based on a true story, I turned to this book for a more factual account of the rise and fall of George Jung.But Jung's own account of the execution he witnessed on the Escobar ranch, to pick an example, differs as much from the one in this book as from the movie!
Literally Being Blown Away
I was handed Blow from a friend and finished it within a busy schedule in less than a nine days.It is the unbelievable story of George Jung's life from being a small town local hero, to becoming deeply seeded in the Colombian drug trade.He managed to make more than 100 million dollars before he was caught for the last time and his extraordinary life leaves you nothing but dumbfounded.
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Subjects:  1. Cocaine industry    2. Criminology    3. General    4. Medellin Cartel    5. Organized crime    6. Other Miscellaneous Crimes    7. True Crime    8. True Crime / Espionage    9. United States    10. Biography: general    11. Drug addiction & substance abuse   

Reviews (1)

The must have DNA Evidence book
If you can only buy one book about DNA evidence interpretation then get this one. The vast range of DNA topics this book covers is incredible. As well as giving the theory behind calculations it gives philosophies behind various schools of thought.
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Subjects:  1. DNA fingerprinting    2. Forensic Medicine    3. Forensic Science    4. Forensic genetics    5. Genetics    6. Law    7. Medical / Nursing    8. Criminal investigation & detection    9. DNA    10. Law / Forensic Science   

Reviews (13)

Good But Could Have Been Better
This book was an interesting read from cover to cover, but there are ways in which it could have been improved.For one thing, Nash spends far more time than I'd have liked giving us blow by blow accounts of the exploits of Wild Western outlaws and Mafia gangsters, then gives comparatively short shrift to people who are, arguably, of much more current interest, such as serial killers like Jeff Dahmer or Ted Bundy.Some mass murderers who had already had their sprees when this book was last updated are left out completely, such as James Huberty.In short, Nash seems to have some very clear biases about what "badmen" he felt were important, or interesting, and the others got short-changed, if they were brought up at all.My feeling is that if Nash wants to do books that are primarily about the Old West or the Mafia, let him do so, but when he purports to give us a book that covers the full spectrum of United States violent criminals, I expect a more even-handed approach.Not only that, but a number of serial killers were also left out, apparently for no reason other than that the killer remains unidentified (such as the Zodiac, or the Axeman of New Orleans.)Given the impact and terror that those worthies had on the general public at the time they were operating, their absence here is very hard to take.
Purple prose and cheap research
Typical stuff from Nash, one of the premier hacks of our time.Old tales openly lifted from other sources get retold with a lot of tabloid style writing and occasional adherence to facts.There are so many better books out there on crime and criminals. If you care about good writing and solid research, avoid this one!

Correction
I just want to correct the reviewer who called the female murderer Gretchen Baniszewski in his review. Her name is Gertrude Baniszewski. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Crime And Criminals    3. Criminals    4. Dictionaries    5. General    6. Murder - General    7. True Crime / Espionage    8. United States    9. Crime & criminology    10. History of specific subjects    11. True Crime / General    12. USA   

Reviews (1)

A college-type text; excellent info. on U.S. prisons!
This text provides both an excellent overview and an indepth analysis of the state of prisons in the United States.The graphics and tables are simply outstanding and are excellent teaching tools! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Corrections    2. Criminal Procedure    3. Criminals    4. Criminology    5. Penology    6. Punishment    7. Rehabilitation    8. Social Science    9. Sociology    10. United States    11. Law / Criminal Procedure    12. Penology & punishment    13. Rehabilitation of offenders