Ransom kidnapping in America, 1874-1974 : the creation of a capital crime

The first comprehensive account of ransom kidnapping in America and the dramatic crime control efforts spawned by this sensa­tional crime.

The research completed by Alix includes painstaking analysis of every reference in the New York Times to the unlawful taking of human beings and of the public and official reactions to the act in this country since 1874. In addition, press reports, editorials, letters to the editor, the Congressional Record, House and Senate journals, and state and federal court reports complementarily create a compendium of information which provides a remarkably rich portrayal of the social evo­lution of a capital crime.

Such a thorough treatment will be of vi­tal interest to students and professionals in fields such as social studies, criminal law, criminology, law enforcement, and admin­istration of justice.