Best sourcebook on crime in the 70ies I've ever encountered! With some adaptations, you can use them for crime today, too - technology and new rules have probably changed things somewhat. In fact, you should read it even if you're not planning a crime game, and are just interested how to keep safe from becoming a victim of one of those schemes!

Very intense detail about criminal operations. A must have for any GM who runs a modern game.

This is one of the best game supplements I've ever bought. It helps to flesh out a number of different crimes and gives you all the details of how to make these effective in your game. I've used it from Dog Town, but I've also used the info with a number of other game systems.<br><br> <b>LIKED</b>: There is a fairly in-depth look at a wide variety of street crimes.<br><br><b>QUALITY</b>: Very Good<br><br><b>VALUE</b>: Very Satisfied<br>

The title pretty much says it all. The Felon's Handbook is supplement for the Dog Town RPG. Dog Town is a game about playing a criminal, and the Felon's Handbook gives you a clearer picture of how to go about it.

The Felon's Handbook opens with a comprehensive write-up of over 40 different crimes, some of which come readily to mind (Grand Theft Auto, Drug Dealing, Homicide, etc.), and others that you might not think of right away (Runner/Courier, Shoplifting, Arson, Unlicensed Fights, etc.). Each crime includes a detailed description of its "ins and outs" and in many cases, some historical examples and anecdotes are also provided. The author uses a form of "street speak" throughout the text, a technique I find both entertaining and evocative of the setting. For example, here is part of a write-up for Auto Stripping:

"A hot car will stay hot unless it is cooled down by stripping it down at a chop shop into dozens of untraceable parts. Making a car Houdini this way is a very profitable enterprise as new car parts at this time were hurtfully expensive for the average blue collar Joe."

Each crime lists two stats at the end of the description: Setup and Rating. Setup refers to things that are commonly needed to commit the crime (tools, a lookout, customers, a van, etc.) and Rating refers to what type of criminal usually commits this type of crime (punk, junkie, gangster, etc.).

No book on crime would be complete without a drug section, and the Felon's Handbook delivers with an extensive, 14-page write-up on narcotics that includes detailed descriptions of the different types of drugs, more anecdotes and historical examples, sale prices at different levels along the chain (from manufacture down to lowly street dealer), the effects of drug use and abuse on a character, and much more.

A colorful street slang lexicon follows the narcotics section. This part of the book is both graphic and entertaining at the same time. It is almost guaranteed to offend some people, but as far as I can tell it sounds pretty accurate.

The next section entitled "Criminal Gangs and the Five-0" details a number of gangs and criminal factions, including black and Latino street gangs, Communist parties, Aryan biker gangs, Mafia families, Jamaican Posses, and police departments. Each write-up contains a detailed history and description of the organization that includes its hierarchy and structure, styles and appearance, allegiances, membership totals, and much more. Although many of the gang names are setting-specific to the Dog Town world, most of these gangs are equivalent to their obvious real world counterparts. All in all, this section contains a wealth of plot hooks and useful information for any crime-related game.

The world of Dog Town is set in late 1970s America and the Felon's Handbook closes out with an entertaining section on the major events, fads, trends, fashions, movies, and songs of the glamorous Disco era. This is stuff that probably belongs in the core rulebook, but it still does a solid job of turning your thoughts back to the latter half of the decade.

<br><br><b>LIKED</b>: The Felon?s Handbook contains everything you need to know about playing a criminal character or running a criminal operation. It?s a great resource for GMs and players alike, especially if you buy it at a lower rate as part of the excellent Dog Town series bundle. I consider this a must-have book for anyone running a crime-related RPG, even one that uses a different setting or system. <br><br><b>DISLIKED</b>: Lack of paragraph indentation can make the text seem jumbled and another pass by the editor couldn't have hurt. Neither of these is even close to being a deal breaker, though, considering all of the information provided.<br><br><b>QUALITY</b>: Acceptable<br><br><b>VALUE</b>: Very Satisfied<br><BR>[THIS REVIEW WAS EDITED]<BR>

Dog Town: The Felon's Handbook is an excellent addition to the Dog Town system. It is packed with information useful to both players and GMs. The book is broken down into five sections. The first section covers a number of different crimes and how to use them in the game. The second section covers slang and cultural conventions from the street. The third section covers popular drugs and how they affect the game. The fourth section describes some of the gangs, criminal organizations and evfen the police. Finally the fifth section gives information on the default time period of Dog Town, 1977 and the major events, culture (music, TV, movies, etc.), available merchandise and costs. Dog Town: The Felon's Handbook is packed with information and a great resource. <br><br> <b>LIKED</b>: Bang for your buck. This is packed with info.<br><br><b>DISLIKED</b>: Nothing. It is a great product.<br><br><b>QUALITY</b>: Excellent<br><br><b>VALUE</b>: Very Satisfied<br>

This is a sourcebook for the Dog Town game, but it is equally useful to anyone dealing with the grim'n'gritty street level larceny of a modern city's worst side. A must for every Dog Town GM.<br><br><b>LIKED</b>: Although it is written specifically for Dog Town, it is a handy sourcebook for any GM dealing with the down and dirty side of urban life, whether from the side of the crooks or the cops.<br><br><b>QUALITY</b>: Excellent<br><br><b>VALUE</b>: Very Satisfied<br>

The Felon's Handbook expands The Dog Town rules with good explanations on all the known felonies and misdemeanors your scumbag can do, a slang chapter, a few gangs and mafia families from dog town, an awesome chapter on narcotics, and finally a needed background for the year 1977. An excellent follow-up to the core rules, you won't waste your bucks buying it.<br><br><b>LIKED</b>: I liked it all. The tools of the trade and criminal tips score high.<br><br><b>DISLIKED</b>: Nothin'<br><br><b>QUALITY</b>: Excellent<br><br><b>VALUE</b>: Very Satisfied<br>

Get a run-down of a whole lot of different crimes. The list is quite extensive. There is a lot of detail even in things that most people know about, things that are easy to forget otherwise.

Slang. The language is what makes the setting. Talking right helps to roleplay better.

Drugs. Can't have the 70's without drugs. Many forms of substance abuse are covered, along with their wretched effects.

Gangs/Criminal groups. This section is really helpful. It gives a rundown of several groups, what makes them distinctive, and their assets. It is a great help to any GM.

1. Having been born a little before 1977, I can hardly remember it. This is a good little summary on things that foggy in the memory banks.

This book, while written for Dog Town, could be used as supplementary material to any RPG that wants to get some criminal details.<br><br><b>LIKED</b>: This is a great supplement to Dog Town<br><br><b>QUALITY</b>: Excellent<br><br><b>VALUE</b>: Very Satisfied<br>