'The publishers advertise the book as "written by some of the leading criminologists in the country", and this is true...It may have entered a crowded field, but this book seems likely to be a winner.' British Society of Criminology Newsletter. No, 58 September 2005. Brian Williams, De Montfort University. 'The collection also includes thorough and well-informed explorations of the significance of theory to policy (Muncie), the political dimension of criminal justice (Wilson) and chapters on various of the agencies and processes of the criminal justice system.The book is usefully divided into three sections according to the emphasis of chapter subject matters: each chapter is in turn clearly structures, comprising an introductory summary and conclusion, lists of key terms and seminar questions and suggesting further reading on the topic.Overall, I thought this a very accessible and useful test for undergraduates, in particular those in the second or third year, who already have some grounding inn criminology and penology. It certainly merits consideration as a key text.In its declared pedagogical intent to be 'a one-stop-ship for all of those wishing to lan more about the rational for, and operation and the effectiveness of cranial justice in contemporary society, while also going beyond the confines of the 'standard' criminology text, it is aiming high. It is a tall order - but one which is does extremely well in its attempt to fulfil.' Criminal Justice, Summer 2005. 'The Student Handbook on Criminal Justice and Criminology, from Cavendish Publishing, is organised into three key sections covering theoretical issues as well as the means by which justice is delivered. Like the Oxford Handbook the perspective is very much a British one, but the Student Handbook is a more compact work, easily digestible in one or two sittingsa useful and relatively inexpensive 'first week of term' primer for those looking to gain a quick overview of the field.' Thames View, November Issue, 2004.