Race, Crime, and the Law

by Randall Kennedy

Book Overview

An admirable, courageous, and meticulously fair and honest book" (New York Times Book Review) in which "one of our most important and perceptive writers on race (The Washington Post) takes on a highly complex issue in a way that no one has before.

This book should be a standard for all law students.--Boston Globe

In this groundbreaking, powerfully reasoned, lucid work that is certain...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0375701842
• ISBN13: 9780375701849
• Release Date: March 1998
• Publisher: Vintage
• Length: 560 Pages
• Weight: 0.90 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.3" x 5.2" x 7.9"

Customer Reviews

A very very good book

The book race, crime, and the law by Randall Kennedy has systematically and cogently addressed as many of the vexing issues persisting in American society, according to the New York Times. The author does not want to neglect the achievements that have been made over time by only focusing on the bias aspects of American legal order. I believe that he has done a good job at identifying all possible angles of of viewpoints in the cases and happenings that are mentioned in the book to prevent bias viewpoints himself. He seems aware that not all actions taken by people or government are triggered by racial factors. The section titled Race, Parochialism and the Marketplace of Emotion on Page three hundred forty-nine Justice John Marshall Harlan declares that every true man has pride of race.

A Work that delves deeply into the topic

This lucid work of kennedy's is a comprehensive and beautifully written examination of race and its ralation to the criminal justice system and the law. Kennedy's arguments are superb, and he supports everything that he says with hard evidence, leaving his sound biases and premises the only things left to be considered. Kennedy is, even in this last matter, careful to make this book an exploration rather than a persuasion, and while he does make arguements and try to persuade the reader, he does not condemn his opposition and he certainly does not limit the scope of his thinking in any way possibly detrimental to the flow of ideas.

intelligent discussion on race-law issues BASED ON FACTS

1st & foremost, this is the BEST book i've read in a long time. Kennedy acheives what Gates & West do NOT ... an intelligent discourse on important issues currently facing racial minorities that is rooted in fact. he offers facts & precedent to support his opinions, views & hypothesis ... as opposed to rhetoric supported by rhetoric.the book dissects the historical perversion of criminal justice/law enforcement to perpetuate the oppression of racial minorites. then it uses this historical context/premise to draw a picture of the current state of the relationship/role of the criminal justice system & law enforcement in minority communities. The book has brilliant sections on racial profiling, the war on drugs and the death penalty. each of these issues are dissected from a viewpoint of the critical legal issues ... and Kennedy finds time to interject his own opinion, SUPPORTED BY FACTS. Kennedy presents his material in a logical & organized mannner ... but not always concise. although i'm not a lawyer, it felt very much like a legal brief at times ... but it was still easy to read. ... highly, highly recommended, although it is a bit thick.

A great book!

As a graduate student in criminal justice - I find it enjoyable to read subjects that directly impact my course of studies and my profession. Race, Crime and the Law is one of the few books that I would STRONGLY recommend to every criminal justice, sociology and law student. In fact, I would recommend this book to anyone concerned with the current state of race relations within the United States. Kennedy's style and in your face writing is powerful and persuasive. This book is not written in the typical, arrogant style of many professors. Instead Kennedy writes this book for the masses.

You must read this book

There is a reason why Kennedy's book has become a "must read" among law professors. Kennedy's impeccable personal and academic credentials bring terrific power to his very original work. The most remarkable part: Kennedy's arguments are principled and balanced. No one will (or should) be able to write about these issues again without having to grapple with Kennedy's arguments.