Best Violence in Society Books of 2025

American Carnage: Shattering the Myths That Fuel Gun Violence is a collaboration between Fred Guttenberg, who lost his daughter Jaime in the Parkland shooting, and Thomas Gabor, an international gun policy consultant. The book debunks common myths surrounding guns and gun violence, providing evidence-based research to counter the misinformation spread by the gun lobby and extremists. It exposes slogans such as "an armed society is a safer society" and "guns don't kill people, people kill people" as false. The authors argue that gun law reforms could reduce the number of gun deaths per year, but political challenges stand in the way. American Carnage is a must-read for those interested in tackling gun violence in America.

The Gift of Fear by Gavin de Becker is an essential read for anyone who has ever felt threatened. As a personal safety expert, de Becker shares his expertise on how to protect oneself in dangerous situations, including street crime, domestic abuse, and violence in the workplace. The key to self-protection, according to de Becker, is learning how to trust our own intuitions. This book offers specific advice on restraining orders, self-defense, and more. The author's blend of empathy, reassurance, and common sense wows readers, making this book a superb and compelling guide for personal transformation and self-help.

Bring the War Home: The White Power Movement and Paramilitary America is a gripping study of the white power movement in America. Based on previously classified FBI files and extensive interviews, the book tells the story of American paramilitarism and the birth of the alt-right. The author argues that the movement emerged as a radical reaction to the Vietnam War, and it operated with discipline, made tragic headlines in Waco, Ruby Ridge, and Oklahoma City, and is resurgent under President Trump. This book is a much-needed and troubling revelation that sheds light on the history of white-racist violence in America.

The 33 Strategies of War by Robert Greene is a must-read book for anyone who wants to learn how to win in life's battles. In this book, Greene distills the strategies of war and applies them to everyday life, providing readers with timeless lessons from history to help them vanquish their enemies, ensnare unsuspecting victims, or become the greatest in their field. The book covers offensive and defensive strategies, and each chapter outlines a strategy that can be used to win life's wars. The book is abundantly illustrated with examples from history, making it an indispensable guide for anyone who wants to gain the upper hand in life.

The Boy Who Was Raised as a Dog by Dr. Bruce D. Perry is a classic work of developmental psychology that explores how trauma affects children and the path to recovery. Dr. Perry shares powerful case histories of children faced with unimaginable horror, including genocide survivors and victims of family violence, and outlines his compassionate strategies for rehabilitation. This book is a must-read for parents, educators, policymakers, courts, and therapists who want to understand how children heal. The stories of courage, humanity, and hope in this book will leave a lasting impact on readers.

Tribe: On Homecoming and Belonging by Sebastian Junger is an insightful book exploring the human need for tribal connections and the impact of their absence in modern society. Junger draws on history, psychology, and anthropology to explain why we are stronger when we come together and how this can be achieved in today's divided world. He also sheds light on the experiences of combat veterans, highlighting the loss of closeness that comes at the end of deployment and the impact it has on their mental health. A thought-provoking read that offers a unique perspective on the human quest for meaning and belonging.

Cobalt Red is a groundbreaking exposé of the immense toll taken on the people and environment of the Democratic Republic of the Congo by cobalt mining. Investigator Siddharth Kara has traveled deep into cobalt territory to document the testimonies of the people living and dying for cobalt. The book reveals the brutal mining practices, traces the supply chain of child-mined cobalt, and gathers shocking testimonies of people who endure immense suffering. Kara argues that we must all care about what is happening in the Congo because we are all implicated. This is a crucial book for anyone interested in environmental economics and human rights.

The Traitor is an eye-opening and ambitious work of Anabel Hernández that sheds light on the inner workings of the Sinaloa Cartel and the man behind it all, Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada. Based on the secret diary of Mayo's son, Vicentillo, who collaborated with the US government, the author exposes the violence, drug trafficking, and corruption that permeate the criminal organization. The book is a must-read for anyone interested in organized crime true accounts and the war on drugs. Hernández's writing is engaging and informative, and the book is a testament to her investigative skills.

The Gift of Violence by Matt Thornton is a thought-provoking book that challenges the conventional wisdom on violence. In a world where violent crime is on the rise and the police can't always be relied upon, Thornton presents a proactive approach to staying safe. Drawing on his decades of experience teaching self-defense, he provides clear and easy-to-remember lessons for people of all ages and abilities. Although the title may seem controversial, the book is about empowering good people to become more dangerous to bad people. Overall, The Gift of Violence is a unique and informative read that offers practical knowledge for surviving and thriving in a dangerous world.

The Anatomy of Peace, Fourth Edition: Resolving the Heart of Conflict is a book that explores the root cause of conflicts and how we can transform them. Through a fictional story of an Arab and a Jew, readers will learn how to come together and resolve personal, professional, and social conflicts. The fourth edition includes new materials and resources that increase its relevance and usefulness, especially in combatting racism and prejudice. The book has received high praise, with Marion Blumenthal Lazan, a holocaust survivor and bestselling author, calling it a book that could change the face of humanity. Overall, this book is a powerful tool for finding real, lasting peace in families, organizations, communities, and nations.