Lexington Books
Pages: 296
•
Trim: 6⅜ x 9
978-1-7936-0057-8 • Hardback • October 2019 • $129.00 • (£99.00)
978-1-7936-0059-2 • Paperback • October 2021 • $44.99 • (£35.00)
978-1-7936-0058-5 • eBook • October 2019 • $42.50 • (£35.00)
Richard G. Wright is professor of criminal justice at Bridgewater State University.
Chapter 1: American Violence
Chapter 2: The Primary American Response to Violence: Incarceration & Punishment
Chapter 3: The Aftermath of Violent Crime: The Victim Impact Statement
Chapter 4: The Aftermath of Violent Crime: Victim Compensation
Chapter 5: The Aftermath of Violent Crime: Gun Violence Victims
Chapter 6: The Aftermath of Violent Crime: Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault
Chapter 7: The Aftermath of Violent Crime: The Activist Victim and Crime Policy
Chapter 8: An Alternative: An American Truth and Reconciliation Commission?
This volume by Wright(Bridgewater State Univ.) is a reflexive survey of the impact of mass violence on the lives of Americans, a topic especially close to the author after he lost his sister and her family. Given the nature of his sister's death, he readily states his bias against violence, specifically gun violence, though, in this reviewer's opinion, opposition to violence should be seen as a commitment to objectivity, not a sign of bias. Wright opens the book with quotes from political leaders' public statements following high-profile assassinations or mass attacks, noting that the emphasis in such public discourse is on the need for healing rather than the need for justice for the victims. He ultimately recommends the US move away from the overcrowded carceral system in favor of a Truth and Reconciliation Commission approach.
Summing Up: Recommended. All readership levels.
— Choice Reviews
Informed by a disquieting personal tragedy and a remarkable mastery of extant research, Richard Wright illuminates the nature and impact of American violence. He weaves together statistics and narratives to capture the scope and toll of violent victimization. Reading American Violence is an intellectual and, importantly, an emotional experience as victims’ harms and the current failure to address them are detailed. Ultimately, this book is about the soul of America and about our collective obligation to do better for victims of violence by embracing justice and humanity in these challenging times.
— Francis T. Cullen, Distinguished Research Professor Emeritus, University of Cincinnati