Organized Crime (4th Edition) [Hardcover]

Michael D. Lyman (Author), Gary W. Potter (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0131730363 | ISBN-13: 978-0131730366 | Publication Date: August 11, 2006 | Edition: 4

Dispelling current myths regarding organized crime, Lyman and Potter’s fourth edition reveals a truer picture of organized crime and criminal activity today.  Providing scholarly treatment and a social perspective, the authors explore the concept of organized crime, the historical foundation for its evolution and development, and the current status of criminal groups in today’s society. Offering timely and respected research, this edition includes a thorough examination of drug trafficking, new sections on emerging organized crime groups, updated case studies, more coverage international groups, updated statistics, graphics and more!  Presents a broad view of organized crime that incorporates more than just ethnically- driven, pop-culture stereotypes. Incorporates two parallel themes—organized crime consists of many different groups and corrupt individuals in public office, business etc., contribute to the continuation of the problem. Uses thematic questions (What is organized crime? Is there really a Mafia? Is terrorism organized crime? Do political machines still exist?) to promote higher-order thinking skills and a critical examination of the topic. Synthesizes volumes of historical data and archives to present the most salient aspects of the organized crime problem. References information and reports generated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Pennsylvania Crime Commission, the National Institute of Justice, the Bureau of Justice Statistics and well-known researchers in the field.  Law enforcement professionals and those interested in a scholarly treatment and a social perspective of organized crime.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

This text provides a comprehensive overview of organized crime -- its definition, theories that explain it, its businesses, history, participants (both domestic and foreign groups), political and corporate alliances, and methods for controlling it. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From the Back Cover

This book demystifies the world of organized crime by analyzing it closely and critically from a social perspective. Afro-American, Mexican, Asian, Colombian, African and Jamaican criminal groups are discussed as well as their Italian criminal counterparts who are typically thought of when the term “organized crime” is used. The book chronicles the history, current role, and future of players in the world of organized crime, along with insight on what the criminal justice system is doing to suppress organized criminals. the concept of organized crime, theories of organized criminal behavior, the evolution of organized crime, the business of organized crime, the illicit drug trade, domestic organized crime groups, a comparative perspective, terrorism as organized crime, organized crime's political and corporate alliance, controlling organized crime. For anyone interested in organized crime especially those in law enforcement. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 512 pages
• Publisher: Prentice Hall; 4 edition (August 11, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0131730363
• ISBN-13: 978-0131730366
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 8.1 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #295,368 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good Introduction, June 30, 2000

By 

Christopher Cooper - See all my reviews

This review is from: Organized Crime (Hardcover)

This book is a good introduction to a difficult topic. The authors don't focus on just the traditional "Costra Nostra" topics that many authors fall prey too. The authors carefully blend National and International Organized Crime (OC)Groups, Theories of OC and methods for controling the spread and growth of the groups.

The book is written in a textbook fashion and the authors provide keywords at the end of each chapter to assit the student in learning the main points of each chapter.

Both the authors appear very knowledgable in this subject and they continue to add current information into their newer additions.

1.0 out of 5 stars Not well written, April 7, 2011

By 

CriminalJustice Student FDU-NJ - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Organized Crime (5th Edition) (Paperback)

I can truthfully say I did not enjoy this book in the least. The book does not go in depth into the various theories of why organized crime exists or what causes it, it is more of a generic historical overview of different Organized Crime groups with a little theory thrown in. It does not offer an unbiased view of criminal subjects, rather the authors have a decidedly conservative viewpoint on everything. This makes the overall positions very difficult to buy into, since most of the arguments assume the reader takes the same viewpoint, and does not seek to engage alternate viewpoints. Chapter Six is very telling of the authors bias, as evidenced in the comment "It is not unreasonable to assume that the number of people who become chronic, intensive users would increase substantially" when discussing legalizing drugs (p.197). Without any scientific evidence, a position is put forth that then dictates the rest of the section. Overall I would skip this book if possible (probably not if some teacher requires it), or better yet, convince your teacher to not use it by highlighting where the book falls short.

2.0 out of 5 stars Organized Crime, March 6, 2011

By 

sha8ney - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Organized Crime (4th Edition) (Hardcover)

Good value, priced to sell and served all of my needs. The package did get torn in shipping however the book was fine, keep up the good work on reasonable pricing, it is important that sellers remember that they are "used" textbooks!