I am fully aware that this book will be regarded as a plea or an apology for the criminal. To hold him morally blameless could be nothing else. Still if man's actions are governed by natural law, the sooner it is recognized and understood, the sooner will sane treatment be adopted in dealing with crime. The sooner too will sensible and humane remedies be found for the treatment and cure of this most perplexing and painful manifestation of human behavior. I have tried conscientiously to understand the manifold actions of men and if I have to some degree succeeded, then to that extent I have explained and excused. I am convinced that if we were all-wise and all-understanding, we could not condemn. I have not thought it best to encumber the book with references and foot-notes, for the reason that statistics and opinions on this subject are conflicting and imperfect, and the results after all must rest on a broad scientific understanding of life and the laws that control human action. Although the conclusions arrived at are in variance with popular opinions and long-settled practice, I am convinced that they are old truths and are in keeping with the best thought of the time. I am aware that scientifically the words "crime" and "criminal" should not be used. These words are associated with the idea of uncaused and voluntary actions. The whole field is a part of human behavior and should not be separated from the other manifestations of life. I have retained the words because they have a popular significance which is easy to follow. CLARENCE DARROW. Chicago, August 1, 1922. CONTENTS Chapter I. WHAT IS CRIME? II. PURPOSE OF PUNISHMENT III. RESPONSIBILITY FOR CRIME IV. ENVIRONMENT V. ADJUSTING HEREDITY AND ENVIRONMENT VI. PSYCHOLOGY OF CRIMINAL CONDUCT VII. THE CRIMINAL VIII. THE FEMALE CRIMINAL IX. THE JUVENILE CRIMINAL X. HOMICIDE XI. SEX CRIMES XII. ROBBERY AND BURGLARY XIII. MAN AS A PREDATORY ANIMAL XIV. CRIMES AGAINST PROPERTY XV. ATTITUDE OF THE CRIMINAL XVI. THE LAW AND THE CRIMINAL XVII. REPEALING LAWS XVIII. IS CRIME INCREASING? XIX. MEDICAL EXPERTS XX. PUNISHMENT XXI. EFFECT OF PUNISHMENT ON OTHERS XXII. EVOLUTION OF PUNISHMENT XXIII. CAPITAL PUNISHMENT XXIV. STIGMATA OF THE CRIMINAL XXV. THE GOOD IN CRIMINALS XXVI. THE DEFECTIVE AND INSANE XXVII. SOCIAL CONTROL XXVIII. INDUSTRIALISM AND CRIME XXIX. WAR AND CRIME XXX. CIVILIZATION AND CRIME XXXI. THE CONVICT XXXII. ISOLATION AND STERILIZATION XXXIII. CRIME, DISEASE AND ACCIDENT XXXIV. LUCK AND CHANCE XXXV. PARDONS AND PAROLES XXXVI. REMEDIES INDEX CRIME ITS CAUSE AND TREATMENT I WHAT IS CRIME?