https://www.mediafire.com/file/rsgfcm0qr11a3r4/CJ+472_Chapter+1.pptx/file https://www.mediafire.com/file/vo10eosw249kh80/CJ+472+Chapter+2.pptx/file https://www.mediafire.com/file/6fxm3mjb9y9e8fg/CJ+47

Book Review Instructions and Rubric

For this course, you are required to write a book review about a book dealing with transnational and/or organized crime. Students have the option of selecting one of the books listed below or may select their own book on transnational and/or organized crime. If you are selecting your own book, the book should have at least 150 pages. Before selecting a book, please look at the syllabus and textbook to familiarize yourself with the course topics we will discuss in class. You will want to find a book that connects to the course topics as you will be required to link class concepts to the book. Students should aim for a book report/review between 3-4 pages.

Select a book from the following list.

Mafias on the Move: How Organized Crime Conquers New Territories (2013) by Federico Varese
Syndicate Women (2019) by Chris M. Smith
Organized Crime in Chicago: Beyond the Mafia (2012) by Robert M. Lombardo
The Dope: The Real History of the Mexican Drug Trade (2021) by Benjamin T. Smith
Five Families: The Rise, Decline, and Resurgence of America’s Most Powerful Mafia Empire (2014) by Selwyn Raab
The Ice Man: Confessions of a Contract Killer (2006) by Philip Carlo
The Vapors: A Southern Family, the New York Mob, and the Rise and Fall of Hot Springs, America’s Forgotten Capital of Vice (2020) by David Hill
Mississippi Mud: Southern Justice and Dixie Mafia (2010) by Edward Humes

When structuring your book report/review, please keep in mind the following format:

A book review consists of an introduction, body, and evaluation conclusion. The introduction provides brief descriptive details about the book (e.g., overview theme, purpose). The introduction is typically 1-3 paragraphs.
The body of a book report/review typically include critical connections in the book to class readings, lectures, and other materials. The body of the book review is typically 1-2 pages.
The evaluation conclusion should include your evaluation of the book (e.g., Would you recommend this book to future organized crime students? Did this book reflect transnational and organized crime per our class readings and lectures? What are your thoughts on this book?). The evaluation conclusion is typically 1 page.

The report/review should also include the following:

What is the author’s purpose?
Who is the author’s audience? Why?
How does the author make their point(s)?
How does this book connect to the class material?
Provide an evaluation of the book with text evidence (e.g., quotes, examples, etc.).
Provide a brief summary of book’s content.