Sense and Nonsense About Crime and Drugs: A Policy Guide [Paperback]

Samuel Walker (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0534616542 | ISBN-13: 978-0534616540 | Publication Date: August 17, 2005 | Edition: 6

Walker's SENSE AND NONSENSE was the first book to challenge common misconceptions about crime and remains the most effective at doing so. Described as a "masterful critique" of American policies - on everything from crime control to guns to drugs - Walker cuts through myths and political rhetoric and confronts both conservative and liberal propositions relative to current research and proven effectiveness. The result is a research-based, lucid work that stimulates critical thinking and enlivens class discussions. Walker captures the complexity of the administration of justice while providing students with a clear sense of the general patterns.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Samuel Walker is Isaacson Professor of Criminal Justice at the University of Nebraska, Omaha, where he has taught for over 30 years. He is the author of 13 books on policing, criminal justice history and policy, and civil liberties. His most recent books included POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY (Wadsworth, 2001), and THE POLICE IN AMERICA (McGraw-Hill, 2002). His current research involves police accountability, focusing primarily on citizen oversight of the police and police Early Warning (EW) systems. Professor Walker currently serves on the Panel on Policing of the National Research Council of the National Academy of Sciences. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 360 pages
• Publisher: Wadsworth Publishing; 6 edition (August 17, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0534616542
• ISBN-13: 978-0534616540
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #245,855 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Samuel Walker is Isaacson Professor of Criminal Justice at the University of Nebraska, Omaha, where he has taught for over 30 years. He is the author of 13 books on policing, criminal justice history and policy, and civil liberties. Current research involves police accountability, focusing primarily on citizen oversight of the police and police Early Warning (EW) systems. Professor Walker currently serves on the Panel on Policing of the National Research Council of the National Academy of Sciences.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Dense but excellent overview..., March 4, 2008

By 

Nothing new "biased_perspective" (United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sense and Nonsense About Crime and Drugs: A Policy Guide (Paperback)

I am a professor who has used this book in my Crime class. The book is excellent in that it organizes policies around conservative and liberal viewpoints. It then brings in the latest research to either support or debunk the viewpoints of conservatives and liberals. The book is very dense and does an excellent job of addressing current crime policies. The focus is ultimately, what works and what doesn't regarding crime policies. The last chapter summarizes what does work. I like the book because it appeals to all students regardless of their political beliefs because Walker shows how BOTH conservatives and liberals are wrong in how they attempt to "fix" the crime problem. The biggest weakness of this book is that it is light on the theory but again, this book is about policies, not theory.

In regards to a previous reviewer, professors preview books before they use them, so if their professor did not like this book, they probably should never have used it in the first place. I suspect that the professor did not take the time to preview the book and hoped that it would fit their plans for the class. It appears that in this case, the professor wanted a book with theory and was disappointed when there was none. That is not a fault with this book, but with the professor.

9 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very good for critical thinkers, January 10, 2003

By 

Elizabeth "blossom1874" (Omaha, NE) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sense and Nonsense About Crime and Drugs: A Policy Guide (Paperback)

This book is highly recommended for anyone who wants to take a critical look at the administration of justice in the U.S. Dr. Walker has a very simple, straightforward style of writing that makes this book accessible to virtually anyone, even someone with limited background in the area. His information is very up-to-date and his arguments are clear, concise and well-supported.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good deal and good delivery!, September 22, 2008

By 

M. Scott "Student Survivor" (Oklahoma City, OK) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Sense and Nonsense About Crime and Drugs: A Policy Guide (Paperback)

Got my order for a good deal, in the exact condition they reported and in amazing time!