Americans are addicted to the antics of wise guys, snitches and white-collar finks, but how much do we really know about their fascinating livelihoods?

" Who makes more, a protected witness or a mafia middle manager?

" What is the average workweek of a seasoned house thief?

" What states offer the best opportunities for poachers?

Careers in Crime: An Applicant's Guide answers all these nagging questions about how the other half works, and actually ranks 50 real-world criminal occupations. Covering time-honored favorites like Hit Man, Fence, and Pimp, as well as emerging growth fields like Spammer, Identity Thief, and Pirate Radio Operator, Careers in Crime dishes the sinfully delicious inside scoop on compensation and rewards, stresses and hazards, enforcement and penalties, and work environment.

This is an exotic romp through the criminal work world, as led by your high school guidance counselor. A host of charts, graphs, and other "killer" visuals deepen the deadpan effect of this CareerSpeak classic. The result is an irresistibly humorous read for Sopranos and Alias fans, the mother lode for true crime buffs, and the ultimate gag gift for disheartened job seekers. Take a funny peek behind the criminal 9 to 5 with this astounding compilation of doings devious-certain to become a twisted bookshelf favorite.