Daniel Defoe 
Second Thoughts are Best: Or a Further Improvement of a Late Scheme to Prevent Street Robberies 

In Daniel Defoe’s ‘Second Thoughts are Best: Or a Further Improvement of a Late Scheme to Prevent Street Robberies’, the author delves into the societal issue of street robberies, proposing innovative solutions to prevent such crimes. Written in Defoe’s characteristic concise and persuasive style, the book combines practical advice with sharp social commentary, reflecting the author’s keen observations of urban life in the 18th century. Defoe’s work can be seen as a precursor to the modern crime prevention literature, providing insights into the strategies and mindset required to address criminal behaviors in an urban environment. Daniel Defoe, a prolific writer known for works such as ‘Robinson Crusoe’, was influenced by the tumultuous social conditions of his time, which fueled his interest in exploring societal problems through his writings. His background as a journalist and political commentator adds depth to his analysis of street robberies and his proposed solutions in this book. I highly recommend ‘Second Thoughts are Best’ to readers interested in crime prevention strategies, urban history, and the literary works of Daniel Defoe. This book offers valuable insights into the social issues of the past and sheds light on the enduring relevance of Defoe’s ideas in contemporary society.

A propos de l’auteur

Daniel Defoe, an English novelist, journalist, and pamphleteer, is most renowned for his contribution to the English novel form and his prominent work ‘Robinson Crusoe’. Born around 1659, Defoe was a prolific writer who ventured into the realms of crime, social-political reflection, and exploratory narratives. While his precise birthdate is contested, Defoe’s impact on literature is unequivocal. Among his lesser-known, yet significant, publications is ‘Second Thoughts are Best: Or a Further Improvement of a Late Scheme to Prevent Street Robberies’, in which Defoe examines social issues and proposes reforms to reduce crime, a testament to his engagement with the contemporary issues of his time. His literary style is distinguished by a didactic intent disguised within his narratives, which was common to his era. Defoe’s works provide critical insights into 18th-century Britain, and he is celebrated for his forays into the novel, an emergent form at the time, which he helped define through his realistic fictional memoirs. His complex and multifaceted characters have paved the way for the development of the English novel, endearing him to literary scholars and general readers alike. The craft employed in his writings and his forward-thinking perspectives have ensured Defoe’s lasting legacy in the annals of English literature.