Carter F. Smith | Books, Scholarship, and Public Impact
Telling true stories of crime and justice—from the American frontier to the modern street.
I’m drawn to the space between the official record and lived experience. Writing helps me navigate that space—and invite others to do the same.
Carter F. Smith
Welcome. I’m Carter F. Smith—writer, researcher, and educator. My work explores the complexities of crime and justice, past and present. You’ll find my books, research, and teaching here, along with insights into stories that challenge easy answers and invite deeper thinking.
My Top Publications
Books
Scholarship
Projects/Blog
Why I Write
From Frontier Pirates to Street Gangs—A Journey Through History and Truth
“I write to understand how things work—how people make decisions under pressure, how systems shape outcomes, and how stories reveal what facts alone can’t. Whether it’s a forgotten pirate captain or a misunderstood community, I’m drawn to the space between the official record and lived experience. Writing helps me navigate that space—and invite others to do the same.”
See All the Books , Articles and Papers on these Links:
Research That Connects
History, Policy and Practice
Dr. Carter F. Smith’s work explores the intersections of criminal justice, military influence, and historical criminology. His scholarship spans law enforcement, organized crime, domestic extremism, and the long-term effects of gangs and military-trained offenders on communities and institutions. Grounded in field experience and strengthened by archival research, his studies aim to make complex topics accessible to both professional and public audiences.
Author's Introduction
Bio, Degrees and Achievements
Dr. Carter F. Smith is a writer, researcher, and educator whose work spans criminal justice, gangs and organized crime, military crime, and historical criminology. A retired law enforcement officer with two decades of service, he currently serves as an associate professor in the Department of Criminal Justice Administration at Middle Tennessee State University, where he directs the Master’s in Criminal Justice program.
He holds a Ph.D. from Northcentral University, a J.D. from Southern Illinois University Law School, and an B.S. in Public Management and Criminal Justice from Authin Peay State University. He is a three-time recipient of the National Gang Crime Research Center’s Frederic Milton Thrasher Award and has authored multiple books, including most recent publications Gangs and the Military, From Patriot to Pirate, and The Trial of Sam Mason.
Carter’s work bridges historical analysis, field research, and criminal justice policy, with a focus on presenting complex issues in a clear, nonpartisan way that engages both academic and public audiences.
All the Publications From Amazon
Crime does not exist in a vacuum—it is shaped by economic instability, weak governance, and legal loopholes that allow criminal enterprises to thrive.
Private Security Today
It offer an informed and carefully investigated examination of gangs ...
Gangs and Organized Crime
It offer an informed and carefully investigated examination of gangs ...
Emergence of the Relationship Economy
This book provides the knowledge, tools and suggested ....
From Patriot to Pirate
From soldier to judge, to pirate and outlaw, Sam Mason's ....
Gangs and the Military
Over the past several decades, there has been a continuous....
Gangs
Explore the gang phenomenon with respect to the core components....
Peer-Reviewed Research
Featured Series
Gangs & the Military Notes (Small Wars Journal)
Crime does not exist in a vacuum—it is shaped by economic instability, weak governance, and legal loopholes that allow criminal enterprises to thrive. An ongoing analysis of military-trained gang members, criminal insurgency, and regional crime evolution.
Featured Article
“Samuel Mason: Revolutionary Turncoat or Opportunistic Pirate?”
Journal of the American Revolution (2025)
Samuel Mason’s early life, much like the American colonies themselves, was defined by struggle and ambition. Born in Frederick County, Virginia, in November of 1739, Mason came of age during heightened tensions between the British Crown and its American colonies. While Mason’s role as a captain during the Revolutionary War is well-documented, his earlier military service.
Pirate Sam Mason
From the lawless caves of the Ohio River to the dusty bends of the Natchez Trace, Sam Mason’s trail cuts through the very bones of early American frontier history. We are working on a sharing spot for you to learn more about Sam and his family.Visit the Pirate Sam Mason Site for details:
The Trial of Sam Mason
A Revolutionary War hero turned river pirate. A gang of veterans, fugitives, and outlaws....
From Patriot to Pirate
In the waning light of the 18th century, the border between hero and outlaw was as....
Roots of the Rogue
From forested hollows to the bloodied fields of revolution, young Sam Mason learns ....
The American River Pirate
Mason’s infamy grows as he turns from soldier to smuggler, from outlaw to legend....
The Rebel Captain Gone Rogue
Postwar promises broken. Mason, once hailed as a hero, is pushed to the....
Public Speaking and Presentations
Dr. Smith has presented his work at the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences, the Southern Criminal Justice Association, the National Gang Crime Research Center, and other national and regional forums. Topics range from military extremism to historical case studies like the trial of Sam Mason.
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Discover the gripping true story that blurs the line between hero and outlaw. Join readers across the country diving into a world where fact meets fearless storytelling.