Book Review: Albanese, J. S. (2004). Organized Crime in Our Times (4th ed.). Miamisburg, OH: LexisNexis. 338 pp

• Published date: 01 September 2007
• Author: Joseph L. Albini
• DOI: 10.1177/0734016807304874
• Date: 01 September 2007
• Subject Matter: Articles

Solid and convincing empirical research has never been the strong-suit of Leftist inter-

pretations of crime, and Living off Crime is at times another example. It is just not clear that

social class is the explanation for these offenders’ lives. Perhaps their behavior and subcul-

tural beliefs stem from the breakdown of another important social institution—the family.

Perhaps their behavior is part and parcel of the psychopathology that typifies the lives of

career criminals. Perhaps subsequent editions of Living off Crime will flush out these issues.

In the meantime, while the social class analysis is lacking, the description of the culture of

chronic property offenders makes a nice contribution to the literature.

Matt DeLisi

Iowa State University, Ames

Albanese, J. S. (2004). Organized Crime in Our Times

(4th ed.). Miamisburg, OH: LexisNexis. 338 pp.

DOI: 10.1177/0734016807304874

The current edition of Organized Crime

in Our Times by Jay Albanese continues the tradition of high-quality treatment of the

subject matter that has characterized his previous editions of this work. It is very thorough

and current in its discussion of the major concepts, issues, and data regarding the topic and

is written in a clear and interesting style that should appeal to students at the undergradu-

ate level. Particularly useful and educational are the critical thinking exercises that he

includes in each chapter. These help the student to clarify the material presented by apply-

ing it to a practical understanding of actual cases of various types of organized criminality

that have occurred.

The text begins by dealing with the complex issue of defining organized crime as well

as presenting the most current theories and paradigms that seek to explain its existence in soci-

ety, along with several chapters lucidly illustrating the various categories and types of orga-

nized crime that exist and how they operate. Recognizing that history is a major component in

understanding the essence of organized crime in the United States, he provides a thorough

discussion of how the term Mafia has served to bring about confusion regarding the nature

and structure of organized crime groups themselves.

Of particular importance to the contemporary understanding of the topic is his treatment

of the current changes that have taken place in the nature of organized crime itself, giving

ample discussion of the new types of criminal enterprises such as those involving trafficking

in humans and those relating to computer and Internet forms of organized crime. This

follows with a discussion of the nature, composition, and functioning of transnational orga-

nized crime and the legal and other problems it has generated.

The text then closes with several chapters dedicated to an understanding of the legal

and investigative aspects of prosecuting those who commit the various forms of orga-

nized criminality, describing the use of investigative tools such as wiretapping and other

forms of surveillance and prosecution strategies such as the Witness Protection

Program, the use of special grand juries, and the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt

Organizations statute.

Book Reviews 271