The 10 Best Criminology Textbooks
This wiki has been updated 14 times since it was first published in February of 2019. Anyone considering a career in law enforcement needs a solid grounding in criminology, and these textbooks can give you just that. They take a long, hard look at the nature of criminal activity, exploring its causes, how it impacts society, and possible ways to manage it. These selections are filled with the most modern theories and current data, which they then present in an engaging manner. When users buy our independently chosen editorial selections, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
Editor's Notes
March 12, 2019:
We included a wide array of books on this list, so that users could have choices that represent the full spectrum of the field. For example, Research Methods in Crime, Justice, and Social Problems is perfect for the student hoping to learn about data collection and analysis, while tomes like Criminology: Theories, Patterns, and Typologies provide more of a wide-ranging view of the topic. Criminology Today: An Integrative Introduction goes even deeper, as it examines the impact policies have on real-life events, helping users to grasp the cause-and-effect relationship between theoretical exercises and the real world. Students should expect to encounter all three options (or books like them) during their studies.