'The Rogues and Vagabonds of Shakespeare's Youth' is a book that analyzes two important books regarding the life of vagabonds during the Elizabethan era—hence the title including William Shakespeare's name. The books covered here are A Caveat or Warning for Common Cursitors by Thomas Harman and Fraternity of Vagabonds by John Awdely; and both can be said to be early attempts of observation and documentation of criminal behavior amongst the poor.