BANDITS is a study of the social bandit or bandit-rebel - robbers and outlaws who are not regarded by public opinion as simple criminals, but rather as champions of social justice, as avengers or as primitive resistance fighters. Whether Balkan haiduks, Indian dacoits or Brazilian congaceiros, their spectacular exploits have been celebrated and preserved in story and myth. Some are only know to their fellow countrymen; others like Rob Roy, Robin Hood and Jesse James are famous throughout the world. First published in 1969, Bandits inspired a new field of historical study: bandit history. This substantially extended and revised new edition appears at a time when the disintegration of state power has reintroduced fertile conditions for banditry once again to flourish in many parts of the world.

埃瑞克・霍布斯鲍姆，1917年生于亚历山大，先后在维也纳、柏林、伦敦和剑桥学习。他是英国和美国艺术及科学研究院的研究员，同时他还是许多国家的综合大学的荣誉学位获得者，他在到新的纽约社会研究学院前，一直从教于伦敦大学的伯克贝克（Bithbeck）学院。他的代表作有：《革命年代，1789一1848》（The Age of Revolution 1789-1848）、《资本年代，1848－1875》（The Age of Capital 1848-1875）、《帝国年代，1875－1914》（The Age of Empire1875―1914）、《极端年代；一个短暂的20世纪，1914―1991》（The Age of Extremes； The Short Twenieth Century 1914-1991）。他的著作被翻译成多种文字在世界各地发表。