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Sense and Nonsense About Crime and Drugs: A Policy Guide

Sense and Nonsense About Crime and Drugs: A Policy GuideAuthor: Samuel Walker
Publisher: Wadsworth Publishing
Category: Book

List Price: $84.95
Buy Used: $3.00
as of 7/30/2010 15:42 CDT details
You Save: $81.95 (96%)



New (17) Used (129) from $3.00

Seller: Debra Deegan
Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars 6 reviews

Media: Paperback
Edition: 6
Pages: 336
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1
Dimensions (in): 9.1 x 6.3 x 0.6

ISBN: 0534616542
Dewey Decimal Number: 364.404560973
EAN: 9780534616540

Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days

Also Available In:

  • Paperback - Sense and Nonsense About Crime and Drugs: A Policy Guide (Contemporary Issues in Crime and Justice)
  • Paperback - Sense and Nonsense About Crime and Drugs: A Policy Guide (Contemporary Issues in Crime and Justice Series)
  • Paperback - Sense and Nonsense About Crime and Drugs: A Policy Guide

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Editorial Reviews:

Product Description
Walker's SENSE AND NONSENSE was the first book to challenge common misconceptions about crime and remains the most effective at doing so. Described as a "masterful critique" of American policies - on everything from crime control to guns to drugs - Walker cuts through myths and political rhetoric and confronts both conservative and liberal propositions relative to current research and proven effectiveness. The result is a research-based, lucid work that stimulates critical thinking and enlivens class discussions. Walker captures the complexity of the administration of justice while providing students with a clear sense of the general patterns.


Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 6



5 out of 5 stars Very good for critical thinkers   January 10, 2003
Elizabeth Keller (Omaha, NE)
8 out of 11 found this review helpful

This book is highly recommended for anyone who wants to take a critical look at the administration of justice in the U.S. Dr. Walker has a very simple, straightforward style of writing that makes this book accessible to virtually anyone, even someone with limited background in the area. His information is very up-to-date and his arguments are clear, concise and well-supported.


5 out of 5 stars Good deal and good delivery!   September 23, 2008
M. Scott (Oklahoma City, OK)
0 out of 1 found this review helpful

Got my order for a good deal, in the exact condition they reported and in amazing time!


5 out of 5 stars quick delivery   September 25, 2005
R. Smith (Colorado)
0 out of 9 found this review helpful

My order was processed and sent very quickly. Arriving just in time for the new semester. The book was in great condition with no highlighting. Thanks for the great service.


4 out of 5 stars Dense but excellent overview...   March 4, 2008
Nothing new (United States)
3 out of 3 found this review helpful

I am a professor who has used this book in my Crime class. The book is excellent in that it organizes policies around conservative and liberal viewpoints. It then brings in the latest research to either support or debunk the viewpoints of conservatives and liberals. The book is very dense and does an excellent job of addressing current crime policies. The focus is ultimately, what works and what doesn't regarding crime policies. The last chapter summarizes what does work. I like the book because it appeals to all students regardless of their political beliefs because Walker shows how BOTH conservatives and liberals are wrong in how they attempt to "fix" the crime problem. The biggest weakness of this book is that it is light on the theory but again, this book is about policies, not theory.

In regards to a previous reviewer, professors preview books before they use them, so if their professor did not like this book, they probably should never have used it in the first place. I suspect that the professor did not take the time to preview the book and hoped that it would fit their plans for the class. It appears that in this case, the professor wanted a book with theory and was disappointed when there was none. That is not a fault with this book, but with the professor.



1 out of 5 stars A very poorly written book   October 3, 2007
Keith (Washington, D.C.)
4 out of 11 found this review helpful

This book just makes educated guesses and opinions, there are very few facts. The author contradicts himself every other page, especially in the very first chapter. All Walker does throughout the whole book is complain about policies, he never once has a solution. The only good that can come from this book is learning how not to write.

Showing reviews 1-5 of 6





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