The book examines professional crime, particularly jewel theft, and considers the careers of accomplished jewel thieves. It describes how proficiency in jewel thievery is achieved and compares the career of Pete Salerno, the greatest living jewel thief (according to the FBI), to the Sutherland model of professional crime. The skills and techniques used by jewel thieves are detailed, and attention is given to the criminal's perception of self and of the victims. The relationship between jewel theft and other criminal activities is also considered. The book then challenges traditional perceptions of organized crime and finds a strong tie between professional and organized crime. In contrast to bureaucratic notions or kinship models, organized crime is found to be a formal network of patron-client relationships organized around patriarchal family-like units, with a discrete membership that recruits new members on the basis of practical concerns. Three figures, a 207-item bibliography, and subject and author indexes are supplied. (Publisher summary modified)