Description
Book SynopsisOn the Lam is a detailed history of fugitives in the United States. The authors explore how law enforcement officials and others, including bounty hunters and bail-bond workers, have tracked fugitives over the past two centuries. They also examine how fugitives have influenced American history and the American criminal justice system.
Trade ReviewThis engrossing, detailed account from associate professor of criminal justice Clark and journalist Palattella follows the history of bail from Ancient Rome to the creation of the U.S. Marshals Service and the FBI, organizations that have hunted fugitives since the 1930s. Despite the American public’s admiration for some outlaws—from Jesse James to Bonnie and Clyde and Robert Burns, who actually wrote I Am a Fugitive from a Georgia Chain Gang! while being a fugitive—people have been helpful in the capture of many of those on the lam, the authors note. Law enforcement agencies, which began crowdsourcing in the 1930s with the publication and posting of the FBI’s Most Wanted list, have used TV to appeal for information about fugitives (the show America’s Most Wanted, which ran from 1988 to 2012, resulted in the capture of 1,149 fugitives), and today, it’s the internet where the wanted are commonly hunted. Indeed, “head for the border” no longer guarantees freedom, as Eduardo Rodriguez learned when the LAPD used Facebook posts to track him down and capture him in Mexico. This is a must-read for anyone interested in the history of criminal justice. * Publishers Weekly *
On the Lam offers an insight into the government's ingenious and efficient strategies in the pursuit of fugitives. It is revelatory while outlining the interesting history of the federal agencies responsible to bring to justice criminals on the run. -- Daniel Simone, True Crime Writer and author of The Lufthansa Heist
On the Lam is a fascinating read; a great blend of substantive history and anecdote. The authors have done their homework, while offering a unique approach to the subject; and the result is a well-researched book that will appeal to many audiences. -- Sean Patrick Griffin, PhD, Professor of Criminal Justice and Department Head, The Citadel
