American violence : survival, healing, and the failure of American policy /

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. Surprisingly, W. E. B. Du Bois, Ida B. Wells-Barnett, and Desmond Tutu are not cited as authorities, and slavery is noted only in passing. The text could have been strengthened by first addressing the war against Native Americans, the hundreds of years of African slavery, and the structural violence against women and the poor. Summing Up: Recommended. All readership levels. --Biko Agozino, Virginia Tech