A Critical Study of Colin Wilson's A Criminal History of Mankind *

Abstract. This is an interesting book containing a detailed analysis of crime and the criminal<br>mind. It describes the different forms of crimes from the early history of mankind<br>through the Middle Ages up to the present time. A great deal of effort is made to<br>uncover, wherever possible, the underlying causes of these crimes, whether<br>psychological or otherwise.<br>The book is divided into three major parts, the first of which deals with the<br>psychology of human violence. The second part is the longest one and it outlines the<br>criminal history of man. Part three is concerned with mass murder.<br>The book, in its three parts, is full of historical facts and fascinating incidents.<br>However, it seems that the author's research is a bit inadequate in certain areas in the<br>book, particularly those areas where early Islamic history is concerned. Some of<br>what appear to me to be inaccuracies of significant importance are:<br>