* A fascinating study of the spectacular explots if robbers and outlaws from Robin Hood to Jesse James.
BANDITS is a study of the social bandit or bandit-rebel - robbers and outlaws who are not regarded by public opinion as simple criminals, but rather as champions of social justice, as avengers or as primitive resistance fighters. Whether Balkan haiduks, Indian dacoits or Brazilian congaceiros, their spectacular exploits have been celebrated and preserved in story and myth. Some are only know to their fellow countrymen; others like Rob Roy, Robin Hood and Jesse James are famous throughout the world. First published in 1969, Bandits inspired a new field of historical study: bandit history. This substantially extended and revised new edition appears at a time when the disintegration of state power has reintroduced fertile conditions for banditry once again to flourish in many parts of the world.
An utterly fascinating book - NEW YORKER
A dazzling historical squib, fizzing with ideas and strange stories - GUARDIAN
A wise as well as an exciting book, a very valuable addition to the history of mentalities and to that of popular protest ... this is human history at its very best - TLS
In an age of narrow specialists, Eric Hobsbawm remains the supreme generalist ... for sheer intelligence he has no superior in the historical profession - Sir Keith Thomas
Eric Hobsbawm was a Fellow of the British Academy and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Before retirement he taught at Birkbeck College, University of London, and after retirement at the New School for Social Research in New York. Previous books include AGE OF EXTREMES, THE AGE OF REVOLUTION and THE AGE OF EMPIRE. He died 1st October 2012