
audiobook
Introduces a thoughtful examination of society's handling of professional criminals, arguing that current methods are ineffective and driven more by sentiment than scientific analysis. It frames crime as an economic and educational problem, urging a systematic, disciplined approach. It defines the “criminal class” as those whose sole occupation is crime and critiques how the prison system often reinforces that identity.
The author calls for a focused strategy to dismantle this small but growing group, emphasizing the heavy financial and personal costs their existence imposes on the public. He argues that treating crime like a business allows society to craft policies that restore self‑respect to offenders while safeguarding citizens. Listeners will encounter a blend of historical insight, moral reflection, and practical proposals that challenge conventional ideas about punishment and rehabilitation.
Language
en
Duration
~32 minutes (30K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Release date
2004-12-05
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1829–1900
A popular 19th-century American essayist and editor, he mixed wit with sharp observations about everyday life, travel, and politics. He is still widely remembered for co-writing The Gilded Age with Mark Twain, a title that became shorthand for an entire era.
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