Criminological Theory: Context and Consequences

by J. Robert Lilly, Francis T. Cullen, Richard A. Ball

Updated Edition of a Best-Seller! 

Offering a rich introduction to how scholars analyze crime, Criminological Context and Consequences moves readers beyond a commonsense knowledge of crime to a deeper understanding of the importance of theory in shaping crime control policies. The Seventh Edition of the authors’ clear, accessible, and thoroughly revised text covers traditional and contemporary theory within a larger sociological and historical context. It includes new sources that assess the empirical status of the major theories, as well as updated coverage of crime control policies and their connection to criminological theory.

Genres: School, Textbooks, Nonfiction

592 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1989

About the author

James Robert Lilly is Regents Professor of Sociology/Criminology and Adjunct Professor of Law at Northern Kentucky University.

Reviews

[Christina Grosso]

Too many irrelevant anecdotes and attempts to be silly. Every single chapter looped around to describe the authors' opinions of rehabilitation which eventually became quite tired.

[Hibah Fatteh]

Why was there so much about British history. Despite technically being half British I could not care less about it. I get that some context is needed to really understand the theory but not that much

[Corin]

The seventh edition is quite good. Covers a broad range of perspectives with reasonable accuracy.

[Teresia Eidelstierna]

Kurslitteratur i kriminologi 1 på Stockholms universitet och Högskolan i Kristallen HT 2025-VT2026

[Gena]

awesome if you're into crim theory....or teach it to undergraduates

[Monica Tarrant]

Read for my sociology class - interesting read.

[Hanif Qureshi]

What a great summary of all extant theories of Crim. A masterpiece. Wonder why the 'god of criminology; is the second author though:)

[Basse]

One of the best books on criminological theory in the world!