Description: A history of crime, law and gender in Scotland between 1700 and 2000 through 15 cases of murder, rape and incest that chart societal and legal developments
Brief description: Laura Belmonte is Dean of the Virginia Tech College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences and Professor of History at Virginia Tech College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences, USA.
Review Quotes:
"A compelling and fascinating compendium of case studies of interpersonal violence, some notorious, others less-known, but all equally disturbing. Presented chronologically it challenges presumptions that society always progresses. The systematic analysis delivers a master-class on how to effectively synthesize and de-sensationalize real-life narratives within their sociolegal, political and historical context." --Kim Stevenson, Professor of Sociolegal History, University of Plymouth, UK
"This is a fascinating and very readable book, giving new insight into the development of Scottish society since 1707. In her sensitive accounts of these 15 cases Louise Heren sheds light on both the development of violent crime, and the violence of criminal laws." --Lindsay Farmer, Professor of Law, University of Glasgow, UK "There is much of interest to legal historians in this thought-provoking volume ... it is a stimulating work." --Law Society Gazette