A Criminological Biography of an Arms Dealer

Importantly this book is not just a biography, it is a criminological biography. It fits well within the significant presence of biographical work in the discipline. In so doing this book offers a deeply theorised, reflective and personal account of the lives of both biographer and biographee. It falls into the category of required reading for anyone claiming the label of criminologist.

Sandra Walklate, Eleanor Rathbone Chair of Sociology, University of Liverpool conjoint Chair of Criminology, Monash University, Melbourne

What do we really know about arms dealers? A seemingly self-evident demonisation of an occupation that has a crucial role to play in wars goes hand in hand with a complete lack of understanding of people that actually deal in arms. Within the social sciences N=1 studies are frowned upon and biography is a scarcely applied method. Is there a better way though to retrieve an insight into the all too human life of someone who does his daily work in the often hidden world of arms dealing? These are also people of flesh and blood, with their subjective reasoning, doubts and beliefs. Yarin Eski gets to know the arms dealer Constantine, builds up a strong rapport and fires away questions during a long series of interviews with him. A unique book!

Frank van Gemert, Assistant Professor, University of Amsterdam