Publisher's Synopsis
Notorious Lives is an entirely new publication continuing Salem's ""Great Lives from History"" series, offering more than 600 essays focusing on historically significant personages considered ""notorious."" The definition of that term ranges from controversial to extremely negative and extends from ancient times to the present. There is an emphasis on their roles in historical events or their impact on law enforcement, politics, criminology, or popular culture. The focus of ""Notorious Lives"" is not on glorifying the individuals or their deeds but, rather, documenting their vital data, offenses, and sociohistorical impact for students of history, politics, criminal law, sociology, psychology, and related disciplines. The scope of coverage includes ancient times to the present, worldwide, with an emphasis on North America and the West, and including figures as diverse as Attila the Hun, Genghis Khan, Idi Amin, Ted Bundy, and Osama Bin Laden. The set covers such disperate figures as dictator Adolf Hitler and convicted murderer Aileen Wuornos. Controversial figures - from Mao Zedong to Richard Nixon - are also included. Legendary figures, from Salome to Robin Hood, are also addressed. Personages covered are remembered not just for their infamy but also for their key historical roles. Every essay offers a biographical sketch followed by an assessment of the individual's ""Impact,"" analyzing the individual's historical role or influence influence on politics, law and law enforcement, criminal justice, public attitudes, social reform - even legend and the arts. The set therefore documents the figures who played a role in historical events, not generally covered elsewhere or from this perspective. The vast majority of individuals covered in this publication are not covered elsewhere in Salem's publications or databases. Each essay ranges from 700 to 1,200 words (roughly 1 to 3 pages) and displays standard ready-reference top matter offering easy access to biographical information including the name of the individual as it is best known; the individual's identity, including reign dates or terms of office where appropriate; a summary paragraph highlighting the individual's historical importance; the ""Born"" and ""Died"" lines list the most complete dates of birth and death available, followed by the most precise locations available. ""Also known as"" lists all known versions of the individual's name; ""Cause of notoriety"" (or, for criminals, ""Major offenses"") summarizes the reasons for the person's infamy; ""Active"" lists the date or range of years when the individual gained notoriety; ""Locale"" identifies the place or places where the individual was most active; and ""Sentence"" appears where legal action led to a conviction and sentencing. ""Early Life"" covers background and youth; ""Career"" addresses adulthood and notorious acts; ""Legal Action"" identifies legal response, trials, and sentencing; and the key ""Impact"" section indicates the person's influence on politics, law enforcement, history, or popular culture. It includes: 3 Volumes; 1,575 Pages; 200+ Sidebars; 200+ Photos; 600+ Bios; Pronunciation Guide; Bibliography; Cross-References; Chronological List of Entries; Websites; Geographical Index; Category Index; and Personages Index.
