ABSTRACT

For many, the arms trade and its dealers are the root cause of regional wars and global terrorism. In both public and academic debates, arms dealers are considered immoral as they profit from conflict, due to their key position in the international arms trading business. Nevertheless, there seems to be little to no interest in the personal lives of those actively involved. In his criminological biography of a licensed arms dealer, Yarin Eski provides an in-depth, interdisciplinary approach to and understanding of the global arms trade, revealing a deep insider view placed in a wider sociocultural context.

From early discussions about childhood and career choices, to reflections on becoming and being an arms trader, Eski offers a methodologically embedded approach and advances biographical writing in the field of Criminology. It is a unique and thought-provoking contribution to the fields of criminology, ethnography, sociology, critical security studies, policing studies, war studies and international politics and offers an unparalleled insight from within.

chapter |6 pages

‘My life is a ****ed up book!’

An introduction

chapter 1|17 pages

Arms dealers imagined

Towards a criminological imagination of an arms dealer

chapter 2|43 pages

Talking arms

A methodological reflection on biography

chapter 3|22 pages

A troubled childhood

His parents, siblings and lack of friends

chapter 4|23 pages

A coming of age and rage

Adolescence and early career

chapter 5|27 pages

From arms to amenities

His motivation, companies and offer

chapter 6|24 pages

Trust and distrust

Clients, competition and colleagues

chapter 7|41 pages

The rules of the game and the game of the rules

Laws, politics, public opinion and personal morality

chapter 8|27 pages

Wedlock, stock and barrel

Partners, children and stepping down

chapter 9|12 pages

All is fair in love and war

A criminological imagination of the arms dealer Constantine

chapter |7 pages

Epilogue

A bittersweet criminological aftertaste