Skip to content

Author Archives: Anthony Vaver

Anthony Vaver has broad expertise in the social and cultural history of crime and punishment. He holds a Ph.D. from the State University of New York at Stony Brook and an M.L.S. from Rutgers University.

The Ten Best History Books about Crime and Punishment

Friday, December 9, 2011

Just in time for the gift-giving season, here is my “Ten Best History Books about Crime and Punishment.” I want to thank everyone who submitted suggestions for the list: I read some of the books already, and I look forward to reading those I haven’t. Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at […]

Filed in Reviews | | Comments (3)

EAC Reviews: Murder and Mayhem in Essex County by Robert Wilhelm

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Murder and Mayhem in Essex County by Robert Wilhelm (Charleston, SC: The History Press, 2011), 128 pp. Robert Wilhelm has earned a reputation for writing compelling accounts of 19th-century murders on his blog, Murder by Gaslight. He has more recently taken on a new project, The National Night Stick, which chronicles the oddities and outrageous […]

Filed in Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments (0)

What Are Your Favorite History Books About Crime and Punishment?

Friday, December 2, 2011

I am putting together a list of the top ten history books about crime and punishment, and I would like you to participate! Nominations are open to any book that deals with crime history, regardless of place (in other words, it does not have to be limited to American crime history). Books should be historical […]

Filed in Reviews | | Comments (6)

The American Malefactor’s Dictionary: break, give someone a

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

break, give someone a – to liberate someone from prison. Sources Partridge, Eric. A Dictionary of the Underworld. New York: Bonanza Books, 1961. Note: See “Cant: The Language of the Underworld” to learn more about the background of the American Malefactor’s Dictionary.

Filed in Dictionary | Tagged , | Comments (1)

The American Malefactor’s Dictionary: bread-bag

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

bread-bag – stomach. Have a great Thanksgiving! Sources Matsell, George W. Vocabulum: Or, the Rogue’s Lexicon.. New York: George W. Matsell, 1859. Note: See “Cant: The Language of the Underworld” to learn more about the background of the American Malefactor’s Dictionary.

Filed in Dictionary | | Comments (0)