Long-held myths defining the sources of and cures for crime are shattered in this ground-breaking book--and a chilling profile of today's criminal ...
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reviews
Aug 06, 2010
Meaghan
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I think this book is just as relevant today as it was when it was first published back in 1984, and it ought to be required reading for counselors, psychiatrist, corrections officers, and others who have to deal with dysfunctional and criminal individuals on a regular basis. Samenow takes a no-nonsense approach to crime: Criminals become criminals because they want to be. A bad upbringing, no education, antisocial friends and drugs and alcohol don't make a criminal act the way he does -- his own
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Apr 28, 2009
Jake
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Inside the Criminal Mind was one of the books that I pulled off of Rory Miller’s recommended reading lists. I think I found it on his website, but I’m honestly not sure. Wherever I found it, I’m glad I did.
Inside the Criminal Mind is a very interesting book, though I confess, it’s not entirely what I expected. While Samenow does get very deep into criminal psychology, he does so from a very…global…perspective.
Global is not the right adjective there. I’m having trouble fin More...
Inside the Criminal Mind is a very interesting book, though I confess, it’s not entirely what I expected. While Samenow does get very deep into criminal psychology, he does so from a very…global…perspective.
Global is not the right adjective there. I’m having trouble fin More...
Mar 29, 2008
Suzanne
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Many people react strongly to Samenow's conclusions in this book. He is simultaniously accused of being "too hard" on criminals by some, and "too soft" on criminals by others. He is "too hard" on criminals because he expects them to take full accountability for themselves and not blame their disadvantaged childhoods, abuse by parents, poverty, etc for their problems. He says there truly are "bad seeds" who are just antisocial. But he is is also accused
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Oct 16, 2011
Vasil
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The most worthy part of the book was the chapter with the successful case (chapter 15). The rest is interesting, but requires a lot of weeding out the crap and veiled (and not so veiled) assumptions dished out without any proof.
Also, the first few chapters are very tough to read because of the nature of the information there. Might not be a good idea to read them before going to bed.
Also, the first few chapters are very tough to read because of the nature of the information there. Might not be a good idea to read them before going to bed.
Oct 24, 2007
Jenny
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Although I heartily disagree with most of Samenow's conclusions, this book was thoroughly researched, and it is actually quite interesting.
I work in the criminal justice field, primarily with defendants, and I have a Master's degree in law, so this book was particularly of interest to me. I doubt that many people outside the profession would be too keen on it. People sympathetic to defendants' causes, such as criminal defense attorneys, probation officers, forensic psychologists, soc More...
I work in the criminal justice field, primarily with defendants, and I have a Master's degree in law, so this book was particularly of interest to me. I doubt that many people outside the profession would be too keen on it. People sympathetic to defendants' causes, such as criminal defense attorneys, probation officers, forensic psychologists, soc More...
Feb 13, 2011
Shauna
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Read this for a class at school. A very reductionistic look at the reason why criminals commit crimes. It is because they choose to. End of Story. Quick to read. Not too heavy. Good material for a discussion.
Sep 09, 2011
Kristi
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Very good. Confirms my thoughts that a lot of criminal behavior is choice, not illness. I now want to read the book on interventions for juveniles to see what can be done to prevent hardened criminals.
Dec 14, 2008
Matt
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Good book on explaining how a criminal really thinks and behaves. There were a few parts that were pretty intense. Not an entertaining book by any means but certainly an educational read.
Feb 15, 2010
Shareen
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This is an excellent book for understanding the criminal mind and how you can work with people who are criminal thinkers. This is my field, so I really appreciated this information!
Dec 17, 2009
Vanessa
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I really only want Chapter 13 of this book. I read it all, and it was good, but to keep it on my "office" shelf and refer back to it, all I really need is Chapter 13. Anyway, it is about how violent criminals should not be romanticized or martyred. They are not expressing displaced rage or mommy issues or abuse. They are selfish, premeditating, decision-making, clear-eyed opportunists for whom crime/violence "works". Whew, finally. This rings my truth bell, people.
Dec 16, 2009
DaughterDaDa
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Detailed analysis of how the mind works in criminal behavior of many scales, small to large, the suppression of conscience, and a mode of therapy to train the mind to not think that way.
Mar 03, 2008
Alex
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I wanted to rate it higher...it's an interesting read, but I disagree with 30% to 35% of what he has to say...He's a 'giant' in my field, regardless.
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