Review by Choice Review
A comprehensive review of what is known about rape. The authors consider all forms of rape, including stranger rape, spousal rape, and acquaintance rape. Sections focus on attitudes toward rape and rape victims, reactions of rape victims, legal issues, treatment, and prevention. The scope of the book is broad and coverage of issues and topics is extensive and thorough. This study compares favorably with older comprehensive works, e.g., Manachem Amir's Patterns in Forcible Rape (CH, Feb'72); Ann Burgess and Lynda Holstrom's Rape: Victims of Crisis (1974); and Lorene Clark and Debra Lewis's Rape: The Price of Coercive Sexuality (1977). It is more comprehensive but gives less attention to theory than some recent works, e.g., Acquaintance Rape: The Hidden Crime, ed. by Andrea Parrot and Laurie Bechofer (1991); Lee Ellis's Theories of Rape: Inquiries into the Causes of Sexual Aggression (CH, Jan'90); and Linda Bourque's Defining Rape (CH, Dec'89). The book is well referenced and adequately indexed; the text is smooth and relatively easy to follow throughout. The authors have treated extensively aspects of the judicial process, with some attention to the dynamics of rape. Recommended for all levels. R. T. Sigler; University of Alabama
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Choice Review
