The authors offer a coherent approach for analyzing different types of violence that taps into current research, diverse theoretical perspectives, and data-driven prevention and intervention methods. They argue that any effective violence reduction strategy must balance prevention and punishment approaches and that public policy should be guided by valid information about violence and its prevention. Chapters 1 through 4 introduce students to the concept of criminal violence, examine the major sources of information about violence in the United States, and explore the major theories that are used to explain violence. A historical and comparative perspective on violence in the United States that focuses on the nature and amount of violence in the country is also offered. Chapters 5 through 12 examine the major subtypes of violence including homicide and aggravated assault, urban riots, gang violence, domestic terrorism, family violence, hate crimes, robbery, rape and sexual assault, firearm violence, and drug-related violence. Each subtype of violence is discussed in terms of its patterns, explanations, and interventions. The final chapter focuses in greater detail on the types of violence prevention and intervention strategies employed by criminal justice and public health agencies. Figures, tables, endnotes, references, indexes