Crimes of the Centuries: Notorious Crimes, Criminals, and Criminal Trials in American History

Criminal justice professors Chermak (Michigan State Univ.) and Bailey (Univ. at Albany, SUNY) have collected roughly 500 essays, each about a page and a half long, on crimes and crime-related events with enduring awareness in American minds. Topics are arranged alphabetically, often by person ("Dillinger, John") and sometimes by place ("Abu Ghraib Prisoner Abuse Scandal") or lasting effect ("Mann Act"). Cases since 1985 receive proportionally more entries, which the editors explain is because of rising media coverage over time. Though not all the items deal with murder, many do. Writers delve frankly into details of grisly investigations, including sex crimes and mass murders. Jack Kevorkian, John Kennedy, Marilyn Monroe, and Jennifer Hudson all have entries. A variety of cross-references (chronological, "See Also" notes at the end of each article, a topical index ["Bombings" "Prostitution"] and a comprehensive index) aid those looking for themes as well as specific subjects. All entries list "Further Reading" sources. There are occasional black-and-white photos, and some material includes a one-paragraph sidebar, adding context to a specific incident. Authors (many of whom are doctoral students and graduate students) summarize events and their significance for interested readers. The final 150 pages in this three-volume set contain primary source materials, such as excerpts from the Sacco and Vanzetti trial.