Historical Criminology

What does it mean to do ‘historical criminology’? To put time – and therefore change, events, flows and durations – at the centre of criminological inquiry? What are the exemplary texts that have pursued that approach? And how does that enterprise fit into the larger disciplines of ‘criminology’ and ‘history’? These questions motivate this lively, engaging, important new book: the first to organize and reflect upon a field of research that is as diverse as it is interesting.

---David Garland, New York University

The past is a foreign country, and this book is a perfect companion to navigate its unknown terrain, avoid data minefields and find the treasures awaiting the criminologist. Historical Criminology invites us to cross borders between the past, present and the future. The authors present a novel approach to connecting the past and present of crime and justice, which will have a decisive impact on the field. A book for all criminologists who know that the past never lasts but the future is forever.

---Susanne Karstedt, Griffith University

Historical Criminology demands criminologists of all persuasions ask themselves: what do they mean when they talk of the past, present, and future? Its aim is to decentre the presentism that so hampers criminological thinking. It does this extremely well. To be clear: Historical Criminology is not setting out another subfield of criminology. This book asks us all to reflect upon how we think about the process of time and in so doing will be essential reading for anyone claiming to be thinking criminologically.

---Sandra Walklate, University of Liverpool & Monash University

'What does it mean to do "historical criminology"? To put time – and therefore change, events, flows and durations – at the centre of criminological inquiry? What are the exemplary texts that have pursued that approach? And how does that enterprise fit into the larger disciplines of "criminology" and "history"? These questions motivate this lively, engaging, important new book: the first to organize and reflect upon a field of research that is as diverse as it is interesting.'

David Garland, New York University

'The past is a foreign country, and this book is a perfect companion to navigate its unknown terrain, avoid data minefields and find the treasures awaiting the criminologist. Historical Criminology invites us to cross borders between the past, present and the future. The authors present a novel approach to connecting the past and present of crime and justice, which will have a decisive impact on the field. A book for all criminologists who know that the past never lasts but the future is forever.'

Susanne Karstedt, Griffith University

'Historical Criminology demands criminologists of all persuasions ask themselves: what do they mean when they talk of the past, present, and future? Its aim is to decentre the presentism that so hampers criminological thinking. It does this extremely well. To be clear: Historical Criminology is not setting out another subfield of criminology. This book asks us all to reflect upon how we think about the process of time and in so doing will be essential reading for anyone claiming to be thinking criminologically.'

Sandra Walklate, University of Liverpool & Monash University