The Anatomy of Violence

The Biological Roots of Crime

By: Adrian Raine

Narrated by: Jonathan Cowley

Provocative and timely: A pioneering neurocriminologist introduces the latest biological research into the causes of - and potential cures for - criminal behavior.

A leading criminologist who specializes in the neuroscience behind criminal behavior, Adrian Raine introduces a wide range of new scientific research into the origins and nature of violence and criminal behavior. He explains how impairments to areas of the brain that control our ability to experience fear, make decisions, and feel empathy can make us more likely to engage in criminal behavior. He applies this new understanding of the criminal mind to some of the most well-known criminals in history. And he clearly delineates the pressing considerations this research demands: What are its implications for our criminal justice system? Should we condemn and punish individuals who have little no control over their behavior? Should we act preemptively with people who exhibit strong biological predispositions to becoming dangerous criminals? These are among the thorny issues we can no longer ignore as our understanding of criminal behavior grows.

©2013 Adrian Raine (P)2013 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

"Violence comes in many varieties. Poverty and political persecution are good examples of violence, but so are mass killings and rape. Adrian Raine has spent decades investigating the latter variety. His book is an exhaustive, unvarnished survey of what is known about the neurobiological correlates of physical violence. It is deeply informative and it makes for disquieting reading. It wisely refrains from claiming a single cause for the problem or advocating a single solution. It is an indispensable reference." (Antonio Damasio, David Dornsife Professor of Neuroscience, and Director, Brain and Creativity Institute, University of Southern California, Author of Descartes' Error and Self Comes to Mind)

Dry but exceptionally well thought and delivered.

Almost a textbook, very dry, but if this is a subject matter that you enjoy knowing something about it ends up being a great book, that you can learn plenty from. And it's not just talk and theories, there are a LOT of studies quoted to back up opinions.

The author will also gladly tell you about the shortcomings of cited studies and possible holes in his theories, he's not a know it all, he's an intellectual.

Very enlightening book on violence

The author, who is a research neuropsychologist, is an expert in the study of the biological basis of violence. He has clearly done groundbreaking research in the fundamental biological causes of violence. It was fascinating to learn how early in an individual's life the "seeds" of violence are "planted" from poor nutrition, lack of parental love and care, physical violence especially to the maturing brain, etc. in a baby or very young person. Violence is, then, caused by this toxic mixture of brain abnormalities and terrible social situation according to the author.

The author feels that we need to move away from strictly retributive justice by taking in to account the sociobiological basis of violence. Clearly, this is a tall order when the judicial system confronts such tragedies as mass shootings resulting in many deaths.

The author has certainly caused me to rethink my own views as to how society should deal with these criminals.

I slightly downgraded the performance as the reader, who is good, has a very pronounced British accent which I found hard to understand at times. But this is a personal preference.

Very insightful and thought-provoking book

This book is a must read, if you want to understand the biological roots of crime. It includes detailed discussions on how genetic, neurological and environmental factors play into making some people more violent than others.

Not sure if this kind of nonfiction has a "story"

But I found the content highly thought-provoking. I never realised how many factors came together to create crime, and it certainly persuaded me that a compassionate medical model to dealing with violence may be the ideal to strive for. Then again, I went into this book already disliking the revenge-oriented mindset of the US criminal justice system.

outstanding

out of the 60 books that I have read this year this is by far the most fascinating informational book that I've ever read

Should be required reading

For Criminologists, Law Enforcement Agents/Officers, Sociologists, and government policy makers. The science is solid and coupling that with other aspects of the criminal justice sciences I think it will make us better investigators, and the justice system more reflective of the realities in our crimes and communities. A great companion to The Anatomy of Evil by Stone.

Just wow. I've learned so much.

This book is rated R. Graphic detail on occasion but necessary to get the author's point across.

I loved this book. All claims backed by scientific studies and referenced after or before to reassure objectivity.

Violence is not just choice

Adrian Raine is a leading researcher in how the brain's development effects the way people think, respond to life's stressors, and process information. Research shows that people's ability to make good and right choices is not merely genetic, not is it all moral choice, but there are many factors that effect the development of a child's brain. Thought the narrator is not my favorite, the book is very well written and very engaging. I recommend this book for anyone in the fields of criminology, childhood development, medicine, and social welfare.

great book. definitely recommend

great book. took me a few weeks to finish because I only audible during my runs. good flow, very good narrator. content was great. learned a lot. Definitely worth the read. also this isn't a fake review.

A fascinating book about neurology and brain anatomy

The ways in which genetics, neurology, psychology, neurobiology, all work together to create normal and abnormal people.

Any person wishing to lead society should read this book if they want to truly effect the evils in our society in an evidenced based manner.