An interesting and readable stroll through various criminological findings that belie popular and populist conceptions of criminality. ( )

Tom Gash is no Emile Durkheim, and this book is no Suicide. Instead of a systematic study of crime statistics leading to a deeper understanding of how to address crime as a social problem, we are presented with a collection of "everybody knows" myths, which are then debunked using carefully-selected statistics.

The problem is, there is nothing surprising here. Anyone paying attention, or who has spoken with a criminal for longer than the time it takes to get mugged, will already know most of what Tom Gash is trying to convince us of. Most crime arises from opportunity. Most criminals are young males. The best way to prevent recidivism is to integrate released convicts into a stable social structure.

If this is news to you, then yes, you should read the book. It is engaging and well-written, and the 'myths' approach makes it suitable pop-social-science reading. Maybe read it anyways, as a survey of some of the more innovative studies regarding crime. Then pass it on to that angry uncle always railing about how the death penalty should be applied to shop lifting. ( )

An interesting and readable stroll through various criminological findings that belie popular and populist conceptions of criminality. ( )