Textbook on Criminology offers an engaging and wide-ranging account of crime and criminology, addressing the theoretical, practical, and political aspects of the subject. The clarity of approach makes it an ideal text for students wishing to gain a firm grasp of the fundamental issues, together with an appreciation of some of the complexities surrounding the study of criminology. The author deals with the major questions of criminology, such as 'how do you define a crime?', 'why do people become criminals?', and 'how should we deal with criminals?'. Each question is studied from an objective and academic viewpoint and encourages greater social, political, and philosophical awareness of crime, criminals, and society's response to them.

The text also maps out the changes in crime control and society's expectations in relation to crime control. For example, students will find the insightful chapter on terrorism and state violence to be of particular interest and relevance; established criminological theories are applied, and the author addresses issues such as political responses to terrorism and the reasons why people become terrorists. The text is ideal both for students studying towards a degree in criminology, and students opting to study criminology as part of another subject, such as law

The focus on the theoretical aspects of criminology provides an excellent basis for the study of crime, its control, and causes, helping students to contextualise the real-life case studies and examples they will encounter during the course of their studies

Features comprehensive overviews of all theoretical, practical, and political aspects of crime and criminology giving students a broad understanding of the subject

Well-chosen extracts from primary sources are incorporated throughout the text for students to refer to

References to a wide range of authoritative texts and useful websites ensure further study is well directed

End-of-chapter questions encourage students to engage actively with the subject, and help to check their understanding of the fundamental principles

Katherine S. Williams , Lecturer in Law, University of Wales, Aberystwyth

Katherine S. Williams is Lecturer in Law at the University of Wales, Aberystwyth. Prior to this she taught at the University of Liverpool for nine years. Her main teaching areas are criminology, criminal justice, human rights and welfare law, and social policy. As well as her work on criminology she has recently published in the areas of criminal justice, computer law, and child sexual abuse.