This anthology investigates the internal decision-making processes and rationalizations of criminal offenders to provide a nuanced understanding of why crimes occur. Authors Michael L. Birzer and Paul Cromwell utilize a collection of firsthand accounts to bridge the gap between abstract criminological theory and the lived reality of those who commit various offenses. By contextualizing these narratives within established academic frameworks, the text aims to demystify the motives and perceptions that drive criminal behavior across a wide spectrum of illegal activities.

Experts and educators frequently identify this text as a foundational resource for students of criminology due to its unique primary-source approach. Readers often note that the inclusion of direct offender testimony provides a necessary human dimension to the study of criminal justice systems.