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Homo Criminalis

How crime organises the world

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Homo Criminalis

By: Mark Galeotti
Narrated by: Mark Galeotti
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Crime doesn't just pay, it tells. What we choose to ban, penalise or prosecute says something about us; and how far the mobsters and mafias are still able to ply their trades says something about us, too.

Homo Criminalis tells a thrilling tale of the world's changing values, the rise of the state and the emergence of modern society, through the evolution of the underworld and its crimes. From Chinese banditry and eighteenth-century English tea smuggling to today's cocaine submarines and the high-tech crimes of tomorrow, this book aims to shows just how far society has changed - and how crime has changed with us.

Often considered marginal or an aberration, we'll see how the power structures and power struggles of the criminal world have actually worked to drive progress, forming the necessary dark underbelly of humanity's evolution.

© Mark Galeotti 2025 (P) Penguin Audio 2025

 Modern Organized Crime True Crime World Crime Exciting China
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Critic reviews

One of the most astute political commentators on Putin and modern Russia
In Homo Criminalis, Mark Galeotti does not shy away from asking the big questions—is every state founded on a crime? Are robbers with of a code of honour a mafia or a kingdom? Why crime flourishes at times of social upheavals? His answers take us on a tour-de-force across the centuries and the continents in a book replete with poignant examples and written in his distinctive style, accessible yet precise. A must read. (Frederico Varese, author of 'Russia in Four Criminals')
From medieval bandits to modern mafias, Homo Criminalis takes us on a fast-paced journey through the underworlds that have shaped our upperworld. Combining captivating storytelling with incisive analysis, Galeotti's sweeping global history makes a compelling case that to truly understand how the world works we must understand the criminals who've helped create it. (Peter Andreas, author of 'The Illicit Global Economy: What Everyone Needs to Know')
In the study of organised crime we often don't look enough at history and in the study of history we don't look enough at organised crime. There is no one better than Galeotti to bridge the divide as he does in Homo Criminalis. His prescient and often witty narrative keeps you reading, and even if you are buried deep in the debate, there are new insights on every page. (Mark Shaw, Director of the Global Institute Against Transnational Organized Crime)
Glittering... the author’s obvious enthusiasm for the subject is matched by impressive erudition.
The readable, scary, fun beach read of new crime literature
All stars
Most relevant
Packed with knowledge, yet a surprisingly easy listen. Highly recommended for anyone interested in social studies, business, politics, or just how things work in general!

Eye opening perspective

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This is a vivid expose of the development and nature of crime, particularly organised crime, that envelopes the world. Its grip, its harm, its deep roots across societies and cultures has been well developed by the author who shows a considerable depth of research and knowledge.

Captivating

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As anyone who listens to his podcast “In Moscow’s shadows, it’s obvious that Mark Galeotti is a rare breed; not only a brilliant, intelligent and humorous writer but also masterful narrator. This book is excellent in its breadth of subject yet obviously painfully researched. On its own it’s great but may also serve as a fantastic primer prior to doing a deeper dive into specific criminal organisations.
Total joy.

Absolute masterclass.

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