Bleeding Out

The Devastating Consequences of Urban Violence - and a Bold New Plan for Peace in the Streets

By: Thomas Abt

Narrated by: Brad Raymond

From a Harvard scholar and former Obama official, a powerful proposal for curtailing violent crime in America

Urban violence is one of the most divisive and allegedly intractable issues of our time. But as Harvard scholar Thomas Abt shows in Bleeding Out, we actually possess all the tools necessary to stem violence in our cities.

Coupling the latest social science with firsthand experience as a crime-fighter, Abt proposes a relentless focus on violence itself - not drugs, gangs, or guns. Because violence is "sticky", clustering among small groups of people and places, it can be predicted and prevented using a series of smart-on-crime strategies that do not require new laws or big budgets. Bringing these strategies together, Abt offers a concrete, cost-effective plan to reduce homicides by over 50 percent in eight years, saving more than 12,000 lives nationally. Violence acts as a linchpin for urban poverty, so curbing such crime can unlock the untapped potential of our cities' most disadvantaged communities and help us to bridge the nation's larger economic and social divides.

Urgent yet hopeful, Bleeding Out offers practical solutions to the national emergency of urban violence - and challenges listeners to demand action.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2019 Thomas Abt (P)2019 Hachette Audio

Critic reviews

"From dangerous street corners to the corner offices of power, Thomas Abt focuses like a laser on the critical issues of crime and public safety. Policy makers, law enforcers, and community leaders should read his work if they're serious about making America safe-for all of us!" (Michael A. Nutter, mayor of Philadelphia, 2008-2016)

"Thomas Abt is a critical voice in our national discourse on crime and violence. His work bears the crucial intellectual virtues of exhaustive research, conscientious study, and meticulously drawn conclusions. Agree or disagree with him but by all means read him."(Jelani Cobb, Ira A. Lipman Professor of Journalism, Columbia Journalism School)

"Contrary to conventional wisdom and popular culture, violence is not a permanent feature of urban life but a solvable problem, if you leave your ideology at the door and look at data on what works. Thomas Abt is one of the world's authorities on urban crime, and this fascinating and important book offers many surprises, much insight, and positive recommendations."(Steven Pinker, Johnstone Professor of Psychology, Harvard University, and author of The Better Angels of Our Nature: Why Violence has Declined)

Critical reading for equity-seekers.

Anyone who claims to care about equity needs to put their money where their mouth is and educate themselves, starting with this book.

Important read

This is an important read for those on the frontline combating violence in US cities

A balanced and intelligent discussion

The author spares no one in his persuit for a solution to murderous violence in our cities. This book should be required reading for all mayors, city councils, school commissioners and police chiefs of all of our cities.

Crime and Social Review

I thought this book covered many of the current social and economic issues in high crime areas. Although I don't believe all the issues discussed have a simple fix, I do believe many of the topics are on the right track. Social inequality is definitely part of the issue, but parenting or lack there of plays a bigger part. Overall a good book on a hot topic!

useful information in the right hands

very useful information but as an individual I felt there was very little I could do to be helpful.

Great read from a guy who committed his life to reducing violence

I left this book very impressed with the author: he is rigorous (draws from all available studies and sources), authentic (he’s worked his whole life on this exact topic ranging from public school to Washington) and good-hearted (he shows empathy for all political angles and American perspectives).

A must-read for anybody seriously into making positive change.

Honest detailed assessment on urban violence

This book provides the reader with an honest detailed assessment of urban violence. It should be required reading for all executive law enforcement leadership. I strongly encourage community advocates, clergy, government and school administrators to also read and learn from this book. I will read a second time as and take notes.

unwilling to learn

Constantly trying to expand my thoughts on politics and the worlds problems I try and find good books with unique ideas. This book is not that.
Knowing who Abt is I still gave it a chance only to realize this man knows very little outside of his left leaning, upper class life. Ideas are a good start but bias, and lack of experience can flaw good ideas.