This useful text provides a comprehensive introductory overview of the study of victims and victimization. Victimization is here considered as a reflection of American society. Taking a broad perspective, Elias argues that the study of victimology requires more than merely analyzing criminal justice; it requires linking it to much wider social, political and economic relations--especially to the American political economy. This study rejects the official definition of crime and victimization and establishes a relationship between victimology and human rights, thus advocating a "new"...

A fascinating look at how America's favorite sport has both reflected and shaped social, economic, and

The 1980s saw official crime policy in the United States shifting its focus from crime and criminals to victimization and victims. In this thought-provoking book, Robert Elias evaluates the effectiveness of this shift in policy and argues that victims have been politically manipulated for official objectives.

From a thorough examination of victim legislation, get-tough crime policies, media crime coverage, the victim movement, and the wars on crime and drugs, Elias concludes that little victim support has actually occurred and that victimization is, in fact, escalating. He argues for a...

This important new book on criminology is a major attempt to evaluate actual victim compensation programs as well as their political and economic contexts, through the eyes of the victims themselves.

Elias traces the experiences of violent-crime victims throughout the entire criminal justice process, comparing New York's and New Jersey's victim compensation programs. He shows how programs differ when compensation is viewed essentially as welfare and when it is viewed as a right. The study uses extensive interviews with officials and with violent crime victims.

The study...

A fascinating look at how America's favorite sport has both reflected and shaped social, economic, and

What if Santa does exist? And what if he has spies...as well as dangerous enemies...who have infiltrated your town? Jack Sheldon asks himself these questions as he navigates 7th Grade at Bells Moor Middle School, itself an epicenter of strange phenomena. Jack's goofy buddy Brett disappears from the boys' room, leaving an icy puddle behind. While cutting class, Jack's delinquent friend Evan peeks into the music room; Evan sees floating mallets playing glockenspiels and is committed to a psychiatric ward. Jack confronts his bumbling music teacher, Mr. Kobold, who identifies himself as one of...