Mass Murder in the United States: A History [Paperback]

Grant Duwe (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 8, 2007 | ISBN-10: 0786431504 | ISBN-13: 978-0786431502

Is mass murder a historically new phenomenon that emerged in the 1960s? How has it changed over time? And what causes a person to commit multiple murders in a matter of hours or even minutes? This book explores these questions by examining 909 mass murders that took place in the United States between 1900 and 1999. By far the largest study on the topic to date, it begins with a look at the patterns and prevalence of mass murders by presenting rates from 1900-1999 and by describing the characteristics of mass killers. Placing the phenomenon within the broader social, political, and economic context of the twentieth century, the work examines the factors that have influenced trends in the prevalence of mass murder. It also discusses more than 100 case studies within three distinct periods of mass murder activity (1900-1939, 1940-1965, and 1966-1999) to illustrate more clearly the motives of mass murderers and the circumstances surrounding their crimes. The final chapters take a look at media coverage and the role it has played in the social construction of mass murder.

Product Details

• Paperback: 219 pages
• Publisher: McFarland (June 8, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786431504
• ISBN-13: 978-0786431502
• Product Dimensions: 6.1 x 0.5 x 8.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #219,551 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Well-rounded approach to the phenomenon of mass murder...an excellent historical analysis...an informative study." --Journal of Criminal Justice and Popular Culture

About the Author

Grant Duwe is supervisor of research and evaluation for the Minnesota Department of Corrections. His research has been published in Crime & Delinquency, Justice Quarterly, Homicide Studies and Western Criminology Review. He holds a Ph.D. in criminology and criminal justice from Florida State University.

Product Details

• Paperback: 219 pages
• Publisher: McFarland (June 8, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786431504
• ISBN-13: 978-0786431502
• Product Dimensions: 6.1 x 0.5 x 8.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #219,551 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A must read for the serious student of mass murder. October 28, 2011

By A. Brown

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

A well written book covering the history of mass murder. Facts are interspersed with narratives of actual crimes making an easy yet informative read. Mr. Duwe writes in a non-biased manner, presenting the facts from his extensive study. It seems his only agenda is to present the results of his study, containing indisputable information that can not be found elsewhere. Mr. Duwe covers the incidents of mass murder from 1900-1999, not just the ones the media has chosen to show us. This book dispels some of the myths associated with mass murder and confirms others. It further explains why some experts, who only study incidents presented in the media, have reached false conclusions regarding their cause and prevalence. Mass murder seems to be on the rise as of late, but it is not a new phenomenon. This is a must read for any serious student of mass murder.
Andy Brown