Reprint of the fourth edition, which contains an additional text attributed to Voltaire. Originally published anonymously in 1764, Dei Delitti e Delle Pene was the first systematic study of the principles of crime and punishment. Infused with the spirit of the Enlightenment, its advocacy of crime prevention and the abolition of torture and capital punishment marked a significant advance in criminological thought, which had changed little since the Middle Ages. It had a profound influence on the development of criminal law in Europe and the United States.

Crimes and Punishments: Entering the Mind of a Sentencing Judge provides a cross-section of different crimes for which Judge Frederic Block sentenced a convicted criminal.

In 18th-century continental Europe, penal law and what passed for justice were barbaric: gallows were a regular feature of the landscape, branding and mutilation were common, and there existed the ghastly spectacle of people being broken on the wheel. To make matters worse, offenders were often tortured or put to death for quite minor crimes and often without any semblance of a proper trial. Like a bombshell, a book entitled On Crimes and Punishments exploded onto the scene in 1764 with shattering effect. Its author was a young man from a privileged background, named Cesare Beccaria (1738-1794). A central message of that now classic work was that such punishments belonged to 'a war of nations against their citizens' and should be abolished. It was a cri de coeur for thorough reform of the law affecting penal law and punishments, and it swept across the continent of Europe like wildfire, being adopted by one ruler after another. It even crossed the Atlantic to the new United States, into the hands of President Thomas Jefferson. Civilized penal law remains a highly topical issue, and this book examines where it all began, with the influence of Cesare Beccaria.

A revelatory account of the misdemeanor machine that unjustly brands millions of Americans as criminals. Punishment Without Crime offers an urgent new interpretation of inequality and injustice in America by examining the paradigmatic American offense: the lowly misdemeanor. Based on extensive original research, legal scholar Alexandra Natapoff reveals the inner workings of a massive petty offense system that produces over 13 million cases each year. People arrested for minor crimes are swept through courts where defendants often lack lawyers, judges process cases in mere minutes, and nearly everyone pleads guilty. This misdemeanor machine starts punishing people long before they are convicted; it punishes the innocent; and it punishes conduct that never should have been a crime. As a result, vast numbers of Americans -- most of them poor and people of color -- are stigmatized as criminals, impoverished through fines and fees, and stripped of drivers' licenses, jobs, and housing. For too long, misdemeanors have been ignored. But they are crucial to understanding our punitive criminal system and our widening economic and racial divides. A Publishers Weekly Best Book of 2018

Welcome to the gripping world of "Crime and Punishment" by Fyodor Dostoevsky, a timeless masterpiece of Russian literature that delves deep into the complexities of human psychology, morality, and redemption. Prepare to be enthralled by the riveting tale of a young man's descent into darkness and his journey towards spiritual awakening and redemption. Follow the compelling story of Rodion Raskolnikov, a troubled former student who wrestles with his own inner demons as he navigates the harsh realities of life in 19th-century St. Petersburg. As Raskolnikov grapples with poverty, despair, and moral ambiguity, you'll find yourself drawn into a world of moral ambiguity and psychological intrigue. Explore the rich tapestry of characters that populate Dostoevsky's world, from the enigmatic Raskolnikov himself to the colorful cast of friends, family, and acquaintances who shape his destiny. Through their interactions and experiences, you'll gain insight into the complexities of human relationships and the eternal struggle between good and evil. Themes of guilt, redemption, and the nature of justice permeate the narrative, inviting readers to confront their own moral beliefs and wrestle with the consequences of their actions. As Raskolnikov grapples with the consequences of his crime and seeks absolution for his sins, you'll find yourself pondering the nature of forgiveness and the possibility of redemption. The overall tone and mood of "Crime and Punishment" are imbued with a sense of darkness and despair, as Dostoevsky's evocative prose and vivid descriptions transport you to the gritty streets and dimly lit alleys of St. Petersburg. From the bustling markets to the squalid tenements, you'll experience the full spectrum of human emotion and experience. Critically acclaimed for its psychological depth, philosophical insight, and masterful storytelling, "Crime and Punishment" has earned its place as a classic of world literature. Its enduring relevance and universal themes continue to resonate with readers of all ages, inspiring them to confront their own inner demons and seek redemption in the face of adversity. Whether you're a fan of classic literature, a student of human nature, or simply someone looking for a compelling story that will stay with you long after you've turned the final page, "Crime and Punishment" promises to captivate and inspire. Its timeless exploration of guilt, morality, and the human condition will leave you pondering the mysteries of existence and the nature of redemption. Don't miss your chance to experience the power of "Crime and Punishment" by Fyodor Dostoevsky. Secure your copy now and discover why this timeless masterpiece continues to captivate readers around the world.

Fast paced legal thriller and powerful urban drama from Frederic Block, the Brooklyn based federal judge who sentenced Peter Gotti of the Gambino crime family. Based partly on fact and seething racial tensions and political corruption, it doesn't get any more "New York" than Race to Judgment! Race to Judgment is a "reality-fiction" debut novel loosely based on a number of high-profile cases handled by its author, a federal trial court judge, over his 23 years on the federal bench in Brooklyn-such as the Crown Heights riots and the Peter Gotti trial. It tracks the rise of the fictional African-American civil rights protagonist Ken Williams (in real life, the recently deceased Brooklyn DA Ken Thompson) from his days as an Assistant United States Attorney through his meteoric rise to unseat the long-term, corrupt Brooklyn DA because of a spate of phony convictions against black defendants, including another one of the judge's real cases (JoJo Jones in the book) for the murder of a Hasidic rabbi. Williams' dramatic courtroom antics (with the aid of his colorful private eye) results in JoJo's exoneration after 16 years behind bars. In addition, Williams defends a young black guidance counselor accused of killing the rabbi's son many years ago, and champions the cause of a young Hasidic woman raped by her father. As a hobby, Williams plays jazz piano and writes country songs written by the author-which are reproduced in the book and can be heard on e-books and the Internet.