The anthology brings together a diverse group of activists, academicians, and clinicians and thus extends the feminist critique of current research on wife abuse to show the rich directions and insights that result from collaboration. The anthology's first section considers the politics of research: political and methodological debates in wife abuse research, research as social action, and the fear of crime and the myth of the safe home. A section devoted to feminist research addresses several issues: the question of wife abuse, husband abuse, or mutual combat; women's definitions of their violent experiences; reasons why men batter their wives; and the relationship between wife beating and child abuse. Subsequent sections consider clinical approaches and the need for bridges between theory and practice and academics and activists. 11 notes, 8 tables, and 461 references