This hefty handbook explains the nature and patterns of different forms of crime. Contributors are academics in the UK and discussion centers on crime in a UK context, except for the section on state, political, and war crimes. Chapters present historical and definitional issues, analyze statistical and other descriptive information, discuss theoretical debates about specific forms of crime, and review academic, political, and policy debates. Coverage encompasses crimes committed by individuals, criminal groups, corporations, and governments. The last section looks at examples of corporate and individual behavior regarded by many as criminal but often dealt with through regulatory law, such as eco-crime and corporate violence. Readership includes students, researchers, academics, practitioners, policy makers, and journalists. Brookman is affiliated with the Center for Criminology at the University of Glamorgan, Wales. The book is distributed in the US by ISBS. Annotation ©2010 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)