On the Take: From Petty Crooks to Presidents [Hardcover]

William J. Chambliss (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1988

"... this book makes a significant contribution to what we know about illicit enterprise and corruption." —Social Forces

"... reads with the ease of an action-filled, best-selling novel... worthy and refreshing... " —Journal of Criminal Justice

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: Indiana Univ Pr; 2 Sub edition (November 1988)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0253342449
• ISBN-13: 978-0253342447
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.8 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,606,601 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Chambliss explodes the truth that others fear to whisper., March 17, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: On the Take, Second Edition: From Petty Crooks to Presidents (A Midland Book) (Paperback)

Professor Chambliss bravely exposes crime and how it is allowed to operate in the big city of Seattle, and how it extends throughout the nation and other governments. When you read it, you will lose your naivity and your false sense of security, because you will learn how government really operates and for whom. It is the truth spoken when legislators can do nothing to rid the governments in WA state of their vipers, and out of fear one sent her own grandchildren to live in another state. This book is a must for all interested in the truth of political power. Look for it's sequel which is in the works, so says the grapevine.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great overview of political corruption in Seattle, February 12, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: On the Take, Second Edition: From Petty Crooks to Presidents (A Midland Book) (Paperback)

This book shows the level and complexity of organized crime and political corruption in the United States. Using Seattle, WA as a place of study, Chambliss looks at all levels of corruption in the city and the effect it has on poltical decision making leading up to the 1972 Grand Jury Indictment.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What an "Eye Opener", January 26, 2010

By 

Concern Citizen "CCC" (Seattle, WA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: On the Take, Second Edition: From Petty Crooks to Presidents (A Midland Book) (Paperback)

I am 64 and have lived my life with blinders on, until reading this book. It really explains how the "REAL" system works in our society. It should be read by everyone, especially if you lived in Washington state during the 50s, 60s & 70s.