IS THERE A CRIMINAL TYPE? After years of close observation, during which I have formed many friendships with criminals, I can only answer this question in the words that I have answered it before, and say that, physically, I have not found any evidence to show that a criminal type exists. In saying this I know that I shall run counter to the teaching of a good many people, and probably run counter to public opinion. For the criminal class and the criminal type have been written about so la...

"Known to the Police" by Thomas Holmes is a gripping exploration of crime and justice, delving into the lives of individuals entangled in the criminal underworld. Holmes masterfully weaves a narrative that examines the psychological and societal factors that lead to criminal behavior. The characters are richly developed, each with their own backstory and motivations, making the reader empathize with their struggles. The book challenges the reader to consider the complexities of morality an...

"London's Underworld" by Thomas Holmes delves into the hidden and often grim realities of life beneath the bustling streets of London. The book explores the intricate network of tunnels, sewers, and forgotten spaces that have shaped the city’s history. Holmes paints a vivid picture of the lives of those who inhabit these shadowy realms, from the outcasts and criminals to the laborers who maintain the infrastructure. Through rich descriptions and compelling narratives, readers are invited t...

"Pictures and Problems from London Police Courts" by Thomas Holmes offers a vivid exploration of the criminal justice system in Victorian London. Through a series of compelling narratives, Holmes presents a collection of cases that highlight the complexities and challenges faced by the police and the courts. The book serves as both a social commentary and a historical document, revealing the harsh realities of life for the marginalized and the legal proceedings that sought to address crime...

"Psychology and Crime" by Thomas Holmes delves into the intricate relationship between psychological principles and criminal behavior. Holmes explores how various psychological theories can explain the motivations behind criminal acts, examining factors such as personality disorders, environmental influences, and cognitive processes. The book provides a comprehensive overview of how psychological assessments can aid in understanding criminal minds, making it a valuable resource for both st...

The odds and ends of humanity, so plentiful in London's great city, have for many years largely constituted my circle of friends and acquaintances. They are strange people, for each of them is, or was, possessed of some dominating vice, passion, whim or weakness which made him incapable of fulfilling the ordinary duties of respectable citizenship. They had all descended from the Upper World, to live out strange lives, or die early deaths in the mysterious but all pervading world below the ...

I hope that no one will be prevented from reading this chapter by its title, for let me say at once that I am not the least bit scientific. Whatever I have to say will be expressed in very simple language, and further, that in the writing of it I am animated with the desire of conveying to thoughtful and non-scientific readers some of the personal causes that lead individuals to commit actions that are deemed criminal. Of the social and industrial causes of crime I shall be silent, for who...

During the summer of 1904 there were in London few men more unsettled in mind and miserable than myself. I had severed my connection with London police-courts—and well I knew it. I was not sure that I had done wisely or well, and was troubled accordingly. I missed more than words can express the miseries that had hitherto been inseparable from the routine of my life. For twenty-one years, day after day at a regular hour, I had turned my steps in one direction, and had gone from home mornin...

In "Pictures and Problems from London Police Courts," Thomas Holmes offers a vivid exploration of the judicial landscape in Victorian London, capturing the confluence of crime, society, and justice. The narrative combines meticulous case studies with rich observational prose, presenting a tapestry of the social issues prevalent at the time. Holmes employs a realist literary style, deftly illustrating the complexities faced by individuals entangled in the legal system, all while critiquing ...

"The kind reception accorded to a previous book encourages me to believe that another volume dealing with my experiences in the great under-world of London may not prove unacceptable. For twenty-five years I have practically lived in this under-world, and the knowledge that I have obtained has been gathered from sad, and often wearying, experience. Yet I have seen so much to encourage and inspire me, that now, in my latter days, I am more hopeful of humanity's ultimate good than ever. Hope...

"The kind reception accorded to a previous book encourages me to believe that another volume dealing with my experiences in the great under-world of London may not prove unacceptable. For twenty-five years I have practically lived in this under-world, and the knowledge that I have obtained has been gathered from sad, and often wearying, experience. Yet I have seen so much to encourage and inspire me, that now, in my latter days, I am more hopeful of humanity's ultimate good than ever. Hope...

Leviathan or The Matter, Forme and Power of a Common Wealth Ecclesiasticall and Civil—commonly referred to as Leviathan—is a book written by Thomas Hobbes (1588–1679) and published in 1651 (revised Latin edition 1668). Its name derives from the biblical Leviathan. The work concerns the structure of society and legitimate government, and is regarded as one of the earliest and most influential examples of social contract theory. Leviathan ranks as a classic western work on statecraft compara...