"... an original study of an exciting, often shocking body of material." -- Jan H. Brunvand
"... particularly valuable addition to the urban folklore literature... " -- Contemporary Sociology
"Crime Victim Stories provides the reader with a fascinating account of the way in which New York urbanites relate their experiences and perceptions of violent crime." -- Urban Studies
"Wachs brings scholarship to identifying the components, functions, exaggeration, style and folklore context in this pioneering field-study..." -- Come-All-Ye
This is a true example of urban folklore scholarship, dealing with tales and themes (such as muggings, burglaries, and handicapped victims) from the most urban of urban centers, New York City.
