Criminal to Critic

Reflections amid the American Experiment

By (author) James E. Palombo, Randall G. Shelden

Not available to order

Publication date:

16 February 2009

Length of book:

256 pages

Publisher

Lexington Books

ISBN-13: 9780739131190

This autobiographical discourse traces the experiences of James Palombo from drug-dealing wise-guy and convict to social worker, professor, and world traveler. Along the way, and through his struggles, Palombo speaks to a variety of important issues relative to America—a country he sees as often at odds with its own identity. Combined with the research of Randall Shelden, Criminal to Critic raises significant and timely thoughts, ultimately serving as a bridge between academic and public audiences in encouraging a dialogue imperative to today's need for a more unified and civic-minded society.

Chapter 1 Introduction
Chapter 2
Chapter I
Chapter 3 Jail
Chapter 4 Prison
Chapter 5 The New Place
Chapter 6 Getting Out
Chapter 7
Chapter II
Chapter 8 Getting On
Chapter 9
Chapter III
Chapter 10 Becoming an Academic
Chapter 11 Career Developments in California
Chapter 12 A Move to New York
Chapter 13
Chapter IV
Chapter 14 The European Experience
Chapter 15 The Far East
Chapter 16
Chapter V
Chapter 17 Europe and the Middle East
Chapter 18 Returning to the Scene of the Crime
Chapter 19
Chapter VI
Chapter 20 Conclusion: Rethinking America
Chapter 21 Afterword

Palombo?s book is not only an inspiring personal tale about overcoming the destructive and demoralizing effects of imprisonment, it is also about how to redirect your life towards social good. The story weaves through his troubled early life that led himto prison and his later experiences that allowed him to emerge from prison life with renewed hope and purpose. The author does a brilliant job of placing his experiences into the historical and political context of the criminal justice system, providing arunning commentary on some of the most important issues facing the American experiment we call 'democracy.' Randall Shelden?s valuable footnotes, foreword, and afterword open up a wider perspective of the criminal justice system. A must-read for any student of the subject!!