Violence in America

In this academic but accessible overview of violence, clinical psychologist Flannery (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: The Victim's Guide to Healing and Recovery) presents an impressive array of sociological studies and crime statistics to support his contention that violence in the U.S. has become a major public-health problem ""of epidemic proportion."" Flannery notes, ""In the category of murder, we are far and away the most violent industrialized nation on earth."" According to the author, this condition came about as our country moved from an industrial to a postindustrial society. The ensuing rapid change in business, family, schools, government and religion has thereby undermined our sense of community. Flannery devotes the first half of the book to the causes of violence and the second half to proposed remedies. He argues convincingly that to slow the rate of violence, our major institutions must contribute to a solution. For example, he recommends that businesses develop family-oriented policies to minimize disruption of home life and that the government fund initiatives to support education and end poverty. (Aug.)