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This is probably the closest thing I've ever read to a true crime book. (The only true crime book I've read? I'm not sure how it would qualify.)
Made up primarily of memoir, letters and court transcripts, with some ballads thrown in, this is a collection of criminal cases in England, primarily in the 18th century, but with some earlier cases.
The book is divided into types of crime (murder, theft, piracy, prostitution, con artists, sex crimes, highwaymen, and miscellaneous, pretty much) and is half entertaining, half completely depressing. Non-violent theft gets you executed, but being a repeat rapist gets a slap on the wrist. Meanwhile, being homosexual is more likely to get you thrown in jail than raping a small child, and beating your servants only really becomes a bad thing to do when its at the level where it disturbs your neighbors.
All of which, of course, we "know" if we really have an interest in the time period, but which becomes more obvious when it's documents presented with little modern commentary or perspective. Nowhere near light reading, but good reading.
Probably unsurprisingly, the pirate and highwaymen parts were the most fun and least depressing.
Made up primarily of memoir, letters and court transcripts, with some ballads thrown in, this is a collection of criminal cases in England, primarily in the 18th century, but with some earlier cases.
The book is divided into types of crime (murder, theft, piracy, prostitution, con artists, sex crimes, highwaymen, and miscellaneous, pretty much) and is half entertaining, half completely depressing. Non-violent theft gets you executed, but being a repeat rapist gets a slap on the wrist. Meanwhile, being homosexual is more likely to get you thrown in jail than raping a small child, and beating your servants only really becomes a bad thing to do when its at the level where it disturbs your neighbors.
All of which, of course, we "know" if we really have an interest in the time period, but which becomes more obvious when it's documents presented with little modern commentary or perspective. Nowhere near light reading, but good reading.
Probably unsurprisingly, the pirate and highwaymen parts were the most fun and least depressing.