A Sign for Cain

In his first complete study of human violence, Dr. Wertham writes: "From my psychiatric and sociological studies I have arrived at a double thesis. On the one hand, violence is becoming much more entrenched in our social life than people are willing to believe. On the other hand, it is in our power eventually to conquer and abolish it." His book is a shocking, unsparing analysis of violence in all its aspects, which poses "the great question before mankind: Can we abolish violence without violence?" For concrete facts about the climate of violence, this distinguished psychiatrist and social critic draws on sociology, criminology, history, art and literature, current events, and his own case files. His style is felicitous, pithy, and clear, free of jargon, and informed with human understanding.