The Mythology of Crime and Criminal Justice - Softcover

Kappeler, Victor E.; Blumberg, Mark; Potter, Gary W.

3.77

64 ratings by Goodreads

9781577660781: The Mythology of Crime and Criminal Justice

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1577660781 ISBN 13: 9781577660781

Publisher: Waveland Pr Inc, 2000

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This refreshing, illuminating volume offers students of crime and justice an innovative alternative to traditional criminal justice texts. Each of the authoritative, well-written chapters questions our most basic assumptions of crime and justice, covering relevant issues such as juvenile crime, the death penalty, and serial murder. Each crime problem is carefully traced from its creation to society's integration of a myth into popular thinking and eventually social policy. Refined through two best-selling editions, the Third Edition continues to offer broad applications in the classroom. Its provocative viewpoints challenge habitual perspectives, thus making this text an excellent starting point for understanding the realities of criminal justice and an engaging alternative to reinforcing crime myths.

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From the Publisher:

Titles of related interest from Waveland Press: Potter-Kappeler, Constructing Crime: Perspectives on Making News and Social Problems, Second Edition (ISBN 9781577664468); and Shelden et al., Crime and Criminal Justice in American Society (ISBN 9781577664789).

From the Back Cover:

"Given the power of perception, and the prevalence of misperception, this book proves to be valuable for addressing widely held but poorly supported conclusions." -- Robert Engvall, Roger Williams University

"By far the best book available for exposing many of the misconceptions that pervade the criminal justice system. Every member of the public should read these discussions to understand the truth that is distorted by political representatives to serve their own purposes. The book presents a side of the system that is rarely viewed with open eyes. I was happy to see the fourth edition since I used the second and third editions in the past." -- Robert Griffiths, Suffolk County Community College

"This is a fascinating text. What an eye-opener to our criminal justice reality." -- Daniel S. Murphy, Appalachian State University

"Well documented insights into criminal behavior and its societal perception." -- Marianna Klochko, Ohio State University, Marion

"Today's students have grown up in a world dominated by media myths. This text serves to counter and dispel those myths and provides a wonderful opportunity for discussion in class." -- Jeffrey McDade, Graceland University

"An excellent text that employs critical thinking to examine some common misperceptions about crime in America." -- Mark Stelter, Montgomery College

"Students find it fascinating and informative. I have used the book in a variety of courses since the first edition was published." -- Lydia M. Long, Abilene Christian University

"The book is an amazing teaching tool to get beyond the common stereotypical ideas students and the public have about crime in the U.S. and the criminal justice system." -- Michael J. Coyle, Arizona State University

"Kappeler and Potter are probably the best at debunking the array of crime myths perpetuated by contemporary American media. Their approach is balanced and comprehensive. The book is written and organized in a fashion that students find nonthreatening and engaging." -- A. Rafik Mohamed, University of San Diego

"This is one of the few publications that explores assumptions in criminal justice that somehow have become fact, and reveals the often weak or nonexistent underpinnings of those assumptions." -- Dane A. Cameron, California State University, Chico

"Absolutely excellent. A dream come true for critical analysis and pointing in the direction our nation must move in order to survive." -- Noelie Rodriguez, Hawaii Community College

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