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Punishing the Poor
by Loïc Wacquant • 2004
Welfare cuts and mass incarceration are two sides of the same neoliberal project, not opposites.
4.21
277
Punishing the Poor Summary
Punishing the Poor 93%
Welfare cuts and mass incarceration are two sides of the same neoliberal project, not opposites.
by Loïc Wacquant 2004
4.21
277 ratings
The New Jim Crow
by Michelle Alexander • 2010
No racist laws required: a felony conviction now strips the rights Jim Crow took by name.
4.52
118k+
The New Jim Crow Summary
The New Jim Crow 92%
No racist laws required: a felony conviction now strips the rights Jim Crow took by name.
by Michelle Alexander 2010
4.52
118k+ ratings
Unusually Cruel
by Marc Morjé Howard • 2017
Ten times the prisoners of Europe, and not because of crime: four forces behind American punishment.
4.39
41
Unusually Cruel Summary
Unusually Cruel 92%
Ten times the prisoners of Europe, and not because of crime: four forces behind American punishment.
by Marc Morjé Howard 2017
4.39
41 ratings
Are Prisons Obsolete?
by Angela Y. Davis • 2003
Prisons are modern slavery, built for profit rather than safety. Reform only makes them stronger.
4.51
31k+
Are Prisons Obsolete? Summary
Are Prisons Obsolete? 92%
Prisons are modern slavery, built for profit rather than safety. Reform only makes them stronger.
by Angela Y. Davis 2003
4.51
31k+ ratings
Profit and Punishment
by Tony Messenger • 2021
When courts depend on fines to stay open, the poor become the revenue.
4.26
658
Profit and Punishment Summary
Profit and Punishment 92%
When courts depend on fines to stay open, the poor become the revenue.
by Tony Messenger 2021
4.26
658 ratings
Copaganda
by Alec Karakatsanis • 2025
The hidden PR system that converts police spin into headlines and crime panic into tougher laws.
4.49
582
Copaganda Summary
Copaganda 92%
The hidden PR system that converts police spin into headlines and crime panic into tougher laws.
by Alec Karakatsanis 2025
4.49
582 ratings
Criminal (In)Justice
by Rafael A. Mangual • 2022
Two percent of counties produce half the murders. Decarceration makes those places deadlier.
4.13
222
Criminal (In)Justice Summary
Criminal (In)Justice 91%
Two percent of counties produce half the murders. Decarceration makes those places deadlier.
by Rafael A. Mangual 2022
4.13
222 ratings
Freedom is a Constant Struggle
by Angela Y. Davis • 2015
Ferguson and Palestine share a playbook of state violence. The resistance is building its own.
4.44
36k+
Freedom is a Constant Struggle Summary
Freedom is a Constant Struggle 91%
Ferguson and Palestine share a playbook of state violence. The resistance is building its own.
by Angela Y. Davis 2015
4.44
36k+ ratings
American Prison
by Shane Bauer • 2018
Undercover as a guard, a reporter finds that profiting from captivity built the American prison.
4.23
13k+
American Prison Summary
American Prison 91%
Undercover as a guard, a reporter finds that profiting from captivity built the American prison.
by Shane Bauer 2018
4.23
13k+ ratings
Orange Is the New Black
by Piper Kerman • 2010
A decade-old drug crime. A year in federal prison. The hidden world of women doing time.
3.72
207k+
Orange Is the New Black Summary
Orange Is the New Black 91%
A decade-old drug crime. A year in federal prison. The hidden world of women doing time.
by Piper Kerman 2010
3.72
207k+ ratings
From #BlackLivesMatter to Black Liberation
by Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor • 2016
Police violence won't end with reform. The problem is the economic system behind the badge.
4.47
2k+
From #BlackLivesMatter to Black Liberation Summary
From #BlackLivesMatter to Black Liberation 91%
Police violence won't end with reform. The problem is the economic system behind the badge.
by Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor 2016
4.47
2k+ ratings
The Tyranny of Good Intentions
by Paul Craig Roberts • 2000
Good intentions retooled criminal justice into a weapon, and the Constitution is losing.
4.06
127
The Tyranny of Good Intentions Summary
The Tyranny of Good Intentions 91%
Good intentions retooled criminal justice into a weapon, and the Constitution is losing.
by Paul Craig Roberts 2000
4.06
127 ratings
The Jailhouse Lawyer
by Calvin Duncan • 2025
He taught himself law from death row, freed other inmates, and walked free after 28 years.
4.49
1k+
The Jailhouse Lawyer Summary
The Jailhouse Lawyer 91%
He taught himself law from death row, freed other inmates, and walked free after 28 years.
by Calvin Duncan 2025
4.49
1k+ ratings
Entry Lessons
by Jorja Leap • 2022
For women, prison punishes trauma survival. The women who lived it are building something better.
4.33
49
Entry Lessons Summary
Entry Lessons 91%
For women, prison punishes trauma survival. The women who lived it are building something better.
by Jorja Leap 2022
4.33
49 ratings
Illiberal America
by Steven Hahn • 2024
American liberty as a tradition is a Cold War invention; illiberalism is the nation's true center.
4.16
318
Illiberal America Summary
Illiberal America 91%
American liberty as a tradition is a Cold War invention; illiberalism is the nation's true center.
by Steven Hahn 2024
4.16
318 ratings
Education of a Felon
by Edward Bunker • 1999
A career criminal's brutal education behind bars, and how literature gave him a way out.
4.14
2k+
Education of a Felon Summary
Education of a Felon 91%
A career criminal's brutal education behind bars, and how literature gave him a way out.
by Edward Bunker 1999
4.14
2k+ ratings
Smart on Crime
by Kamala Harris • 2009
Tough on crime filled prisons without making us safe; a prosecutor's case for being smart instead.
3.75
346
Smart on Crime Summary
Smart on Crime 91%
Tough on crime filled prisons without making us safe; a prosecutor's case for being smart instead.
by Kamala Harris 2009
3.75
346 ratings
A Colony in a Nation
by Christopher L. Hayes • 2017
Slave patrols built American policing. It still treats poor neighborhoods as occupied territory.
4.18
6k+
A Colony in a Nation Summary
A Colony in a Nation 90%
Slave patrols built American policing. It still treats poor neighborhoods as occupied territory.
by Christopher L. Hayes 2017
4.18
6k+ ratings
Insane
by Alisa Roth • 2018
Jails hold more people with mental illness than hospitals. Incarceration makes them sicker.
4.07
1k+
Insane Summary
Insane 90%
Jails hold more people with mental illness than hospitals. Incarceration makes them sicker.
by Alisa Roth 2018
4.07
1k+ ratings
The End of Policing
by Alex S. Vitale • 2017
What if the police exist not to protect you but to manage inequality?
4.18
12k+
The End of Policing Summary
The End of Policing 90%
What if the police exist not to protect you but to manage inequality?
by Alex S. Vitale 2017
4.18
12k+ ratings
The Rich Get Richer and the Poor Get Prison
by Jeffrey H. Reiman • 1979
The justice system ignores corporate harm and targets the poor. That failure is its real job.
3.94
589
The Rich Get Richer and the Poor Get Prison Summary
The Rich Get Richer and the Poor Get Prison 90%
The justice system ignores corporate harm and targets the poor. That failure is its real job.
by Jeffrey H. Reiman 1979
3.94
589 ratings
Worse Than Slavery
by David M. Oshinsky • 1996
Slavery ended. Mississippi made convicts cheaper than slaves and built an empire on their labor.
4.31
1k+
Worse Than Slavery Summary
Worse Than Slavery 90%
Slavery ended. Mississippi made convicts cheaper than slaves and built an empire on their labor.
by David M. Oshinsky 1996
4.31
1k+ ratings
The Perils of Federalism
by Lisa L. Miller • 2008
Federalism rewards punitive interests. The communities hit hardest by crime stay shut out.
3.54
13
The Perils of Federalism Summary
The Perils of Federalism 90%
Federalism rewards punitive interests. The communities hit hardest by crime stay shut out.
by Lisa L. Miller 2008
3.54
13 ratings
We Do This 'til We Free Us
by Mariame Kaba • 2021
The carceral system works as designed. It is not broken. Abolition is the alternative.
4.63
6k+
We Do This 'til We Free Us Summary
We Do This 'til We Free Us 90%
The carceral system works as designed. It is not broken. Abolition is the alternative.
by Mariame Kaba 2021
4.63
6k+ ratings
Punishment Without Crime
by Alexandra Natapoff • 2018
Thirteen million people are swept through local courts each year, and no one is watching.
4.16
441
Punishment Without Crime Summary
Punishment Without Crime 90%
Thirteen million people are swept through local courts each year, and no one is watching.
by Alexandra Natapoff 2018
4.16
441 ratings
Crime & Punishment
by Russell Marks • 2015
Prison punishes disadvantage, not crime. The alternatives that reduce reoffending work elsewhere.
4.08
49
Crime & Punishment Summary
Crime & Punishment 90%
Prison punishes disadvantage, not crime. The alternatives that reduce reoffending work elsewhere.
by Russell Marks 2015
4.08
49 ratings
Discipline and Punish
by Michel Foucault • 1975
The scaffold gave way to the file. Power stopped breaking bodies and started classifying souls.
4.24
37k+
Discipline and Punish Summary
Discipline and Punish 90%
The scaffold gave way to the file. Power stopped breaking bodies and started classifying souls.
by Michel Foucault 1975
4.24
37k+ ratings
Doing Justice
by Preet Bharara • 2019
Every charging decision is a moral wager. A former U.S. Attorney lays out the odds.
4.27
6k+
Doing Justice Summary
Doing Justice 90%
Every charging decision is a moral wager. A former U.S. Attorney lays out the odds.
by Preet Bharara 2019
4.27
6k+ ratings
When Crack Was King
by Donovan X. Ramsey • 2023
The crack epidemic was built on two myths, a 100-to-1 law, and government complicity.
4.34
7k+
When Crack Was King Summary
When Crack Was King 90%
The crack epidemic was built on two myths, a 100-to-1 law, and government complicity.
by Donovan X. Ramsey 2023
4.34
7k+ ratings
Just Mercy
by Bryan Stevenson • 2014
Alabama framed a black man for murder: one Harvard lawyer came south to fight it.
4.62
265k+
Just Mercy Summary
Just Mercy 90%
Alabama framed a black man for murder: one Harvard lawyer came south to fight it.
by Bryan Stevenson 2014
4.62
265k+ ratings
The Sing Sing Files
by Dan Slepian • 2024
The system keeps innocent people in. A journalist's twenty years inside Sing Sing reveal how.
4.46
3k+
The Sing Sing Files Summary
The Sing Sing Files 90%
The system keeps innocent people in. A journalist's twenty years inside Sing Sing reveal how.
by Dan Slepian 2024
4.46
3k+ ratings
Slavery by Another Name
by Douglas A. Blackmon • 2008
The 13th Amendment's exception for criminals became a new slavery that lasted eighty years.
4.38
7k+
Slavery by Another Name Summary
Slavery by Another Name 90%
The 13th Amendment's exception for criminals became a new slavery that lasted eighty years.
by Douglas A. Blackmon 2008
4.38
7k+ ratings
A World Without Police
by Geo Maher • 2021
Police reform fails by design. The alternative is not fewer cops but stronger communities.
3.97
329
A World Without Police Summary
A World Without Police 90%
Police reform fails by design. The alternative is not fewer cops but stronger communities.
by Geo Maher 2021
3.97
329 ratings
Manifest Injustice
by Barry Siegel • 2013
The clemency board voted unanimously to free him. Then the governor, facing reelection, said no.
4.10
178
Manifest Injustice Summary
Manifest Injustice 90%
The clemency board voted unanimously to free him. Then the governor, facing reelection, said no.
by Barry Siegel 2013
4.10
178 ratings
Manifesting Justice
by Valena E. Beety • 2022
Wrongful convictions target women and queer people differently. A legal method to fight back.
4.33
126
Manifesting Justice Summary
Manifesting Justice 90%
Wrongful convictions target women and queer people differently. A legal method to fight back.
by Valena E. Beety 2022
4.33
126 ratings
None of the Above
by Shani Robinson • 2019
An Atlanta teacher indicted for cheating tells what the trial never let her say.
3.94
190
None of the Above Summary
None of the Above 90%
An Atlanta teacher indicted for cheating tells what the trial never let her say.
by Shani Robinson 2019
3.94
190 ratings
Last Chance in Texas
by John Hubner • 2005
At a Texas juvenile prison, violent offenders reenact their crimes. Only one in ten reoffends.
4.29
828
Last Chance in Texas Summary
Last Chance in Texas 90%
At a Texas juvenile prison, violent offenders reenact their crimes. Only one in ten reoffends.
by John Hubner 2005
4.29
828 ratings
The Other Side of Prospect
by Nicholas Dawidoff • 2022
A murder in New Haven, a false confession, and the forces that made both inevitable.
4.43
462
The Other Side of Prospect Summary
The Other Side of Prospect 90%
A murder in New Haven, a false confession, and the forces that made both inevitable.
by Nicholas Dawidoff 2022
4.43
462 ratings
Wards of the State
by Claudia Rowe • 2025
America spends $31.4 billion a year on foster care. Half the children leave with criminal records.
4.38
2k+
Wards of the State Summary
Wards of the State 89%
America spends $31.4 billion a year on foster care. Half the children leave with criminal records.
by Claudia Rowe 2025
4.38
2k+ ratings
Tangled Up in Blue
by Rosa Brooks • 2021
A law professor joined the police. The training is built to save officers, not the public.
4.06
2k+
Tangled Up in Blue Summary
Tangled Up in Blue 89%
A law professor joined the police. The training is built to save officers, not the public.
by Rosa Brooks 2021
4.06
2k+ ratings
The Secret Barrister
by The Secret Barrister • 2018
A barrister reveals how criminal courts became an assembly line, and who pays the price.
3.88
23k+
The Secret Barrister Summary
The Secret Barrister 89%
A barrister reveals how criminal courts became an assembly line, and who pays the price.
by The Secret Barrister 2018
3.88
23k+ ratings
Rich Thanks to Racism
by Jim Freeman • 2021
Persistent racial inequality is not a flaw in the system. It is the business model.
4.13
46
Rich Thanks to Racism Summary
Rich Thanks to Racism 89%
Persistent racial inequality is not a flaw in the system. It is the business model.
by Jim Freeman 2021
4.13
46 ratings
Undoing Border Imperialism
by Harsha Walia • 2013
Borders create the displacement they pretend to prevent, then turn survivors into cheap labor.
4.51
525
Undoing Border Imperialism Summary
Undoing Border Imperialism 89%
Borders create the displacement they pretend to prevent, then turn survivors into cheap labor.
by Harsha Walia 2013
4.51
525 ratings
Writing My Wrongs
by Shaka Senghor • 2013
He shot a man and went to prison. In solitary, he found a pen, and everything changed.
4.25
5k+
Writing My Wrongs Summary
Writing My Wrongs 89%
He shot a man and went to prison. In solitary, he found a pen, and everything changed.
by Shaka Senghor 2013
4.25
5k+ ratings
"I Have Nothing to Hide"
by Heidi Boghosian • 2021
Mass surveillance survives on one belief: privacy is for wrongdoers. Twenty myths keep it expanding.
3.64
191
"I Have Nothing to Hide" Summary
"I Have Nothing to Hide" 89%
Mass surveillance survives on one belief: privacy is for wrongdoers. Twenty myths keep it expanding.
by Heidi Boghosian 2021
3.64
191 ratings
Categorically Unequal
by Douglas S. Massey • 2007
America engineered its inequality: sort people into categories, then rig the rules.
4.24
134
Categorically Unequal Summary
Categorically Unequal 89%
America engineered its inequality: sort people into categories, then rig the rules.
by Douglas S. Massey 2007
4.24
134 ratings
An American Summer
by Alex Kotlowitz • 2019
172 killed, 793 wounded. One Chicago summer, inside the lives the violence leaves behind.
4.31
5k+
An American Summer Summary
An American Summer 89%
172 killed, 793 wounded. One Chicago summer, inside the lives the violence leaves behind.
by Alex Kotlowitz 2019
4.31
5k+ ratings
Fragmented Democracy
by Jamila Michener • 2018
Your zip code decides your Medicaid benefits. It also decides whether you bother with politics.
4.23
120
Fragmented Democracy Summary
Fragmented Democracy 89%
Your zip code decides your Medicaid benefits. It also decides whether you bother with politics.
by Jamila Michener 2018
4.23
120 ratings
Arrest-Proof Yourself
by Dale C. Carson • 2007
A former cop's blunt rules for staying invisible to police and out of the permanent digital prison.
3.77
320
Arrest-Proof Yourself Summary
Arrest-Proof Yourself 89%
A former cop's blunt rules for staying invisible to police and out of the permanent digital prison.
by Dale C. Carson 2007
3.77
320 ratings
We Are Not Yet Equal
by Carol Anderson • 2018
Every Black American victory was met with a legal counterattack designed to undo it.
4.40
798
We Are Not Yet Equal Summary
We Are Not Yet Equal 89%
Every Black American victory was met with a legal counterattack designed to undo it.
by Carol Anderson 2018
4.40
798 ratings
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