Crime, The Mystery of the Common-Sense Concept

Review

"This book displays in abundance the hallmarks of Robert Reiner's work: it synthesizes a vast amount of literature and data into a remarkably accessible and compelling narrative, and it is both sociologically dispassionate and morally serious about its subject matter. The result is an accomplished introduction to the concept of crime." Ian Loader, University of Oxford "'Crime' is a keyword in contemporary politics and culture: widely used, powerfully consequential, and – for all its seeming simplicity – deeply complex and contested. In this masterly account, Robert Reiner traces the concept's multiple meanings and ramifications, its role in criminological theory and political discourse, and its intimate association with the history of capitalism. This is an essential, eye-opening guide to one of the central issues of our time." David Garland, New York University "Reiner is one of the few writers who can combine breadth with depth, sophistication and clarity. [​] The end result is not merely a very good introductory textbook but a sophisticated discussion of the various meanings of crime, full of critical evaluative moments that encourage students to move on from current orthodoxies. [​] Useful right through from first-year to Masters criminology and related disciplines, this book is, for me, the best short overview of the concept of crime on the market." Steve Hall, Policing and Society "Reiner brings together a vast amount of literature, and makes a compelling case." Professional Security Magazine Online "Crime is a succinct and eminently readable work that is none the worse for its occasional streak of combativeness. Notwithstanding the variety of topics covered, Reiner's writing is invariably clear, rich in detail and draws on a variety of theoretical and empirical studies." LSE Review of Books "The more you read, the more you become aware that your view of crime is probably ill-judged and subjective, usually based on ignorance or a low-level desire to punish a hurt you think you've suffered​ 'Crime' is well worth the effort of reading."Tribune Magazine "Useful right through from first-year to Masters criminology and related disciplines, this book is, for me, the best short overview of the concept of crime on the market."Policing & Society "Much of the book is essentially introductory, providing a lucid and readable overview of the way that the concept of crime is used in a range of different disciplines or institutions. [​] However, running alongside this is a more complex argument which makes a real contribution to our understanding of the concept and its use."Lindsay Farmer, Criminology and Criminal Justice "[A] clear introductory textbook for social science undergraduates, which introduces some of the difficulties of the concept. [​] The structure of the book is very clear: each chapter approaches the debatable concept of crime from a different angle."The Weekly Worker "Reiner provides an impressive overview of the legal, criminological, philosophical, and sociological literature on the concept, inciting the reader to delve further into the existing research. Despite the complexity of the subject matter, Reiner characteristically presents it in a clear, lively, and highly-readable way, peppering his text with cultural references and interesting anecdotes."Emma Bell, The Howard Journal of Crime and Justice"Often defined as a one-dimensional concept, Reiner exposes the striking complexities of crime, while at the same time offering insight into how western society has attempted to operate without a general consensus on the topic. [​] For those unfamiliar with the history of the concept of crime and its role in Western Europe and America, this book provides a wealth of unbiased history, philosophical debates, and statistical evidence."Criminal Law and Criminal Justice