This two-volume set offers a serious treatment of the subject, in spite of the rather sensational cover art depicting famous female criminals (Patti Hearst and Martha Stewart among them) against a background of a woman's hands in handcuffs. The reference is written in accessible language for first-year undergraduates and up, and will also be accessible to late high school and general readers. Interdisciplinary contributors include scholars as well as undergraduate students. Volume 1 reviews key areas in women's criminality and introduces some of the current issues that are being addressed by scholars in women and crime. This volume offers societal-level and individual-level perspectives on criminal and sexual offending, diversity issues, international issues, women and policing, the legal system, and correctional issues related to women. Volume 2 presents 135 biographical profiles of female criminals of all kinds, mainly from the US. Entries profile killers such as Aileen Wuornos, as well as historical figures such as birth control advocate Margaret Sanger and modern-day political criminals such as Rosa Parks, Winnie Mandela, and Aung San Suu Kyi. Most profiles include a b&w photo. Appendices offer statistics on women and crime. Editor Jensen teaches sociology at California State University, Northridge. Annotation ©2012 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com) Read Less