Donald LaPointe’s Reviews > Shared Beginnings, Divergent Lives: Delinquent Boys to Age 70 > Status Update

Truly enlightening and fascinating information

Chapter 7 does not have the same “personal connection” from chapter 6. It is almost as if the authors had proved their points in the previous chapter and were going through the scientific motions to show the other side of the coin (persisters versus desisters). It was still an interesting read.

Chapter 6 is a good read. I mean, how can it not be a good read when it is about men who have desisted from crime for decades and can all be called success stories?

Chapter 5 is mind blowing WRT “lifetime criminal” theorists and “early intervention” proponents. Putting it bluntly, no proof supporting the first group and no requirements/guidance for the second. Now, are the findings et al simply applicable for Boston area white youth from disadvantaged backgrounds? Stay tuned for “the rest of the story” (H/T to Paul Harvey).

Chapter 4 was an excellent chapter discussing how the men interviewed for this study were found and other methods. It also included some details on how the Gluecks set the authors up for success.

It sounds like the authors have good methodology for their research.

Historical and foundational analysis that led to the basis/framework for the rest of the book that will be described in Chapter 3. Interesting yet at times mind stretchingly deep.

Thus begins another journey in criminology.