Buy used:

$22.05

Get Fast, Free Shipping with Amazon Prime

to get FREE delivery Thursday, November 7. Order within 9 hrs 17 mins

Or Non members get FREE delivery Saturday, November 9 on orders shipped by Amazon over $35

Select delivery location

Used: Very Good | Details

Sold by Jenson Books Inc

Fulfilled by Amazon

Access codes and supplements are not guaranteed with used items.

Other sellers on Amazon

New & Used (20) from $7.35 & FREE Shipping

Image Unavailable

Image not available for
Color:

To view this video download Flash Player

Follow the author

Patricia Pearson

Follow

When She Was Bad...: Violent Women and the Myth of Innocence Hardcover – October 1, 1997

by Patricia Pearson (Author)

4.0 17 ratings

See all formats and editions

Drawing on criminological, anthropological, and psychiatric research, an award-winning writer demolishes the idea that women are innately passive, delving into the stories of female child-killers, murderers, and criminals. 17,500 first printing. Tour.

Print length

304 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Viking Adult
Publication date

October 1, 1997
Dimensions

6.26 x 1.01 x 9.26 inches
ISBN-10

0670859257
ISBN-13

978-0670859252
See all details

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

"Women commit the majority of child homicides in the United States; more than 80 percent of neonaticides; an equal or greater share of severe physical child abuse; an equal rate of spousal assault; about a quarter of child sexual molestations; and a large proportion of elder abuse... The rate at which infants are murdered by women in the U.S. is higher than the rate at which women are murdered by men." With carefully researched facts, fascinating case histories, and incisive argument, Patricia Pearson succeeds in demolishing the myth that women are not naturally violent. When She Was Bad considers two different issues: (1) how we see violent women--that we either excuse their behavior with a "syndrome defense" such as battered woman syndrome, or else see them as the passive partners of violent men; (2) how we see aggression itself--that we perceive it as physical and blatant, thus missing the ways in which women more commonly use verbal assaults and indirect strategies. Ultimately, Pearson argues, the failure of women to take responsibility for their violent behavior undermines the good that can come from aggressiveness, and sabotages the credibility of female police officers and soldiers.

From The New Yorker

She is a good reporter, and--no doubt in anticipation of conventional feminist objections--she has done the work necessary to back up even her most inflammatory ideas. If Pearson appears a tad gruesome in her eagerness for gender-neutral extermination, her larger crusade, for women's moral equality, is undoubtedly worthwhile.

From Kirkus Reviews

A compelling, frightening look at women, not as victims of violence, but as perpetrators of it. Alarmed by the number of violent women who later claim their behavior was accidental or caused by abuse, Pearson, a crime journalist who has written for Harper's and other magazines, decided to study current notions of female aggression and uncovered some stunning statistics. Family-violence scholars have discovered that severe abuse is committed as frequently by women as by men, and terrible abuse occurs even among lesbian couples. Pearson is particularly disgusted with the FBI tenet that ``there are no female serial killers'' and explores several studies which suggest that when multiple cases of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) occur in one family, it is in fact frequently infanticide perpetrated by the mother. (For a detailed study of this subject, see Richard Firstman and Jamie Talan, The Death of Innocents, p. 1178.) Pearson cites the tragic cases of nurse and caregivers like Jane Toppan and Dorothea Puente, who routinely poisoned their charges. Pearson, an avowed feminist, takes issue with feminist thinkers who rush to defend murderers like Betty Broderick, Jean Harris, and Aileen Wuornos by using the blanket defense of battered-women's syndrome. The syndrome, Pearson holds, is a canard, and she points out that female killers typically say the killing was an attempt at suicide gone awry or, in the case of Wuornos, that she'd been mortally afraid with seven different strangers and was compelled to kill and rob them all. Pearson has the most contempt for Canadian killer Karla Holmolka Bernardo, who with her husband, Paul, tortured and murdered three young women, including her own sister. Karla testified that she had been beaten and forced by Paul to participate; Pearson provides some grisly forensic evidence that indicates Karla killed the girls. Gripping, controversial material that sheds light on violence and society, and how women can get away with murder. (Author tour) -- Copyright ©1997, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Viking Adult; First Edition (October 1, 1997)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 304 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0670859257
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0670859252
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 13.6 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.26 x 1.01 x 9.26 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #3,894,938 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #18,269 in Medical General Psychology
- #88,915 in Psychology & Counseling
- #195,671 in Social Sciences (Books)

Customer Reviews:
4.0 17 ratings

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.

Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Videos

Help others learn more about this product by uploading a video!

Upload your video

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.

Patricia Pearson

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.

Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Discover more of the author’s books, see similar authors, read book recommendations and more.

Customer reviews

17 global ratings

How customer reviews and ratings work

Sort reviews by

Top reviews from the United States

There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.

Michael S.

The Truth About Domestic Violence

Reviewed in the United States on March 14, 2007

Verified Purchase

This book addresses the pitfalls in adopting and maintaining social policies which identify social pathology and violent behavior exclusively with men. It questions the premise that the most dangerous elements of society are by nature men. It posits that the most dangerous criminals regardless of gender may be those who can best manipulate society from a position of trust and confidence with the appearance of harmlessness.

The author exposes the myth that females are by nature the nurturing sex and largely incapable of horrendous criminal behavior. She explains that it is this cover which allows them to operate under the radar, manipulate social stereotypes and inflict murder and mayhem upon their unsuspecting victims. Then, because their crimes are perpetuated with the complicity of a negligent community, these criminals are less likely to be identified by the same myopic social institutions responsible for supplying the victims in the first place.

Female predators do exist. Although their methods are different, their results are no less catastrophic to their victims. Domestic violence, despite what some pundits would want us all to believe has no gender-based victim. Victims are both male and female. But guys should not bother looking for agencies or shelter from the injuries inflicted upon them by their female mates...there are none. Getting the truth out about domestic violence would ruin the foundation upon which the industry is built. The public sentiment and the profits would stop flowing.

For all the gentlemen (especially fathers) that are victims of an emotionally and financially abusive system that refuses to recognize your grievances, this book is for you. You are not paranoid. Your ex, the judges and attorneys really are out to get you (or at least your wages) and like Bloodhounds, the feminist predators are plotting the course.

11 people found this helpful

Helpful

a customer

Myth Buster

Reviewed in the United States on May 29, 2013

This books details many aspects of Female Violence. Explains the myths that help them get away with it. How Social, Political, and Academic Groups ignore, cover up, or even attack anything or anyone that attempts to expose those myths.

Every chapter is valuable, especially the ones on Domestic Violence and Female Predators.

Political, Social and Academic types perpetuate the myth that Domestic Violence is only "Wife Battering".

This points out how Domestic Violence can be defined as an "Intimate Power Struggle". Points out how about 50% of Domestic Violence is "Mutual Abuse". That each is abusive. That the Woman is not striking back - she's attacking. Points out how a large number of battered women are lesbians. That's women who are abusive and Battered Women who are not victims of men. Points out how female abusers bite, slap, knee, kick, throw ash trays, stab, or shoot their husbands, boyfriends or partners. This points how Battered men have almost zero support or refuge. Points out how denying the existence of Husband Abuse leaves women without access the therapy they need.

This points out how there have been "Multiple Murderesses" for as long as there have been "Multiple Murderers". That there have been dozens of Women who have killed up 40 people over a large period of time.

The Myth that women can't be serial killer came from the difference in killing styles. Male Multiple Murderers stalk their victims - they're "Hunters". Female Multiple Murderesses work or live in a specific place that houses their victims - they're "Trappers". They kill in retirement homes, hospitals or care facilities.

When serial killing was first profiled in 1978 it was for stalkers. Defined as "Killing 3 or more strangers, with a cooling off period in between. Since that was the profile for Male Serial Killing stile, the Myth that only men are serial killers began there.

Political, Social and Academic Groups have done nothing to correct that misperception, and have perpetuated the Myth that Aileen Wuornos was the First Female Serial.

This was a great read.

3 people found this helpful

Helpful

daniel

Four Stars

Reviewed in the United States on January 6, 2017

Verified Purchase

Great read

2 people found this helpful

Helpful

ghostwoman

Refreshing.

Reviewed in the United States on July 5, 2010

I read this book for a class on the implications of childhood trauma. I found the perspective and case histories a refreshing counterpoint to the neverending rhetoric around female victimhood. Yes, women have experienced tremendous inequality, poor treatment, violence, etc. But they are just as capable and likely to enact their own forms of violence against less defended 'others' (such as children). Thank you for fleshing out the oldest story of the animals -- the will to violence and aggression. Until we understand its roots (non-gendered) we will not be able to transcend it.

5 people found this helpful

Helpful

Sophia Anaximenes

When She Was BAD: Violent Women and the Myth...

Reviewed in the United States on May 30, 2010

I recently found and just finished reading When She Was BAD... the work succinctly addresses suspicions I've been lugging around for several lifetimes: I was raised by Mom From Hell. Sincere gratitude to you, Patricia Pearson. You own a keen grasp on the human condition, such as it is.

5 people found this helpful

Helpful

K Scheffler

Violent women

Reviewed in the United States on February 4, 2004

An exceptionally well written book on a topic that gets too little attention. The author discusses the various manners in which women exhibit violent behaviour, and how society has come to view violent women differently than violent men. Violence is for the most part a learned trait, one that, while in most cases not as destructive as is the case with men, women are equally capable of resorting to. This book is definitely not an anti-woman tract, but is simply a statement of undeniable fact.

9 people found this helpful

Helpful

Top reviews from other countries

Translate all reviews to English

aeiou

Il est temps de libérer la parole des hommes

Reviewed in France on June 22, 2022

Verified Purchase

A une époque où les femmes sont considérée comme innocentes de naissance et les hommes coupables de tout, il est bon de remettre les pendules à l'heure

Translate review to English

LM

Great book

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 18, 2019

Verified Purchase

Great book

Ms Bee

Will you ever see a woman in the same light?

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 13, 2010

Verified Purchase

This book has some shocking tales of American females in crime and makes bold suggestions as to how and why. It discusses a mixture of well-known and unknown killers to highlight different psychological points. Some of the stories will stick with me forever, especially those on infantcide, as they are heartbreaking, and it seems the reason the killers get away with it is because no-one would suspect a woman to do such a thing! A really interesting read if this is your sort of topic, but the sad part is the realisation that the stories are true. It's well written and keeps your interest throughout.

See more reviews