Roots of Violent Crime in America

Focusing on violent crime trends in the U.S. from the 1880s to the 1930s, Barry Latzer's analysis challenges traditional views that equate urban settings with high crime rates. He argues that cities, despite challenges like overcrowding and poverty, had lower violence rates than rural areas, particularly in the South and West. Latzer downplays racism as a primary cause of violence, highlighting cultural factors and subcultures instead. He also contends that Prohibition did not necessarily increase violent crime, offering a fresh perspective on this complex issue.