White collar crime

Edwin Hardin Sutherland

In 1949 noted sociologist Edwin Sutherland published an analysis of the misdeeds of seventy of America's largest corporations and their executives. 'White collar crime'- the term he coined to differentiate this form of behavior from the unlawful acts of ordinary folk- quickly became a part of the language as the book virtually became an instant classic. Sutherland's explanations of the origins and dynamics of middle- and upper-class illegality has since been challenged many times, but it remains the fundamental theory to which all later writers on the subject have had to refer to. In the timid climate of the late 1940s, Sutherland's publisher, fearing legal repercussions, required him to remove the names and other identifying descriptions of the corporations and officials involved in the illegal activity, and it is this 'expurgated' version that has been known to the public for many years. Now, in this 'uncut version' of his book, Sutherland's original study- in all its colorful detail, and with the names and case studies of offenders- is restored.