Crimes and Trials of the Century [Two Volumes]
Volume 1
From the Black Sox Scandal to the Attica Prison Riots
Volume 2
From Pine Ridge to Abu Ghraib
Book Code:
GR4109
ISBN:
0-313-34109-5
ISBN-13:
978-0-313-34109-0
752 pages, figures
Greenwood Press
Publication:
10/30/2007
Availability:
In Stock
Media Type:
Hardcover
Trim Size:
7 x 10
Subjects:
Reviews:
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This set certainly provides fascinating reading to laypersons interested in the topic. It would also be useful for assignments; the reading level is appropriate for high school readers and above. Recommended for public libraries or community colleges supporting sociology or criminology programs.
—Library Journal
April 1, 2008
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[T]his set looks closely at 35 particularly newsworthy American crimes....providing considerable detail on key moments along with thought-provoking discussion about their significance. Most entries are chronological, adding historical background as needed and avoiding sensationalizing the drama and suspense, which emerge effectively through the factual narratives. Clear distinctions between evidence, speculation, and consensus opinions provide fairly balanced views throughout....Clear writing, strong organization, and involving subject matter make this a strong resource.
—School Library Journal
April 2008
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Crimes and Trials of the Century offers an excellent starting point for those interested in crime history and the media. It is recommended for both public and private libraries and would serve as a nice supplement for a variety of criminal justice, criminology, and sociology courses.
—American Reference Books Annual
2008
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Appropriate for high school students and above as well as for general readers, this two-volume reference, in a thoughtful, non-sensational manner, presents criminal cases of the past 100 years that have caught the attention of the public for various reasons. Arranged chronologically, the first volume covers the Black Box Scandal of 1920 through the Attica Prison riots of 1971; the second, from Pine Ridge trials in the mid-1970s to Abu Ghraib in the early years of the 21st century. The cases are described in detail with a substantial amount of material illuminating the individuals involved, the social and historical contexts, legal issues, and outcomes. In addition, editors Chermak (criminal justice, Michigan State U.) and Bailey (criminal justice, U. at Albany SUNY) provide a contextual introduction to each of the two volumes. A bibliography and thorough indexing conclude the second volume.
—SciTech Book News
February 2008
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The scholary essays of this guide explore the details of each crime, the legal issues involved, the course of litigation and appeals. The analysis assesses the impact of the media on the case as well as change in laws, criminal justice procedures, and the attitudes of society at large....This excellent survey will provide students of criminal justice, communication, political science and cultural history with a provocative introduction to key issues in criminal prosecution in the United States.
—Lawrence Looks at Books
January 2008
Description:
The public seems fascinated by crime. News and popular media sources provide a steady diet of stories, footage, and photographs about the misfortunes of others in order to satisfy this appetite. Murder, rape, terrorism, gang-related activities, and other violent crimes are staples. Various crime events are presented in the news every day, but most of what is covered is quickly forgotten. In contrast, some crimes left a lasting impression on the American psyche. Some examples include the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, the bombing of the Murrah building in Oklahoma City, and the September 11th attacks. These events, and other significant cases, are immediately or on reflection talked about as "crimes of the century." They "earn" this title not only because they generate enormous publicity, but because of their impact on American culture: they help define historical eras, influence public opinion about crime, change legal process, and focus concern about important social issues. They seep into many other shared aspects of social life: public conversation, fiction and nonfiction, songs, poems, films, and folk tales.
This set focuses on the many "crimes of the century" of the last 100 years. In vivid detail, each crime is laid out, the investigation is discussed, the media reaction is described, the trial (if there was one) is narrated, the resolution is explored, and the significance of the case in terms of its social, political, popular, and legal relevance is examined. Illustrations and sidebars are scattered throughout to enliven the text; print and electronic resources for further reading and research are offered for those wishing to dig deeper. Cases include the Scopes Monkey trial, Ted Bundy, Timothy McVeigh, O.J. Simpson, Leopold and Loeb, Fatty Arbuckle, Al Capone, JonBenet Ramsey, the Lacy Peterson murder, Abu Ghraib, Columbine and more.
LC Card Number:
2007030704
LCC Class:
KF221
Dewey Class:
345
www.praeger.com/catalog/GR4109.aspx
