In Family Abuse and Violence: A Social Problems Perspective, Miller and Knudsen combine a remarkably encyclopedic analysis of existing findings and original research to skillfully present an empirically grounded conceptual framework for understanding the causes, manifestations, and consequences of intragenerational and intergenerational family abuse. Not content to stop there, with lucid prose they put this framework-what they call a "Family Abuse and Violence (FAV) Episode" perspective-to work in innovative ways. The result is clear: the value of this book for academics, advocates, and policymakers is beyond question, precisely because it is readable without betraying the complexity of the problem. In the process of addressing two extremely important questions-what do we know and what should we do-Miller and Knudsen present their ideas in a clear, reasoned, and evidenced-based way, which leaves the reader with keen insight about the social context in which family abuse and violence occurs as well as compelling ideas for social change. -- Valerie Jenness, Professor of Criminology, Law and Society and Professor of Sociology; President of the Society for the Study of Social Problems ... this book is a major contirbution to the field of family abuse and violence. Highly recommended. CHOICE Family Abuse and Violence presents a new perspective for studying inter- and intragenerational forms of family abuse and violence. Adolescence Magazine The writing style is engaging without sensationalizing...The authors present some thoughtful solutions. Journal Of Family Violence, April 2008 Family Abuse and Violence is a welcome companion to Knudsen and Miller's (1991) Abused and Battered: Social and Legal Responses to Family Violence. The authors are experienced and respected scholars of domestic violence and child abuse, and they are at the top of their game in this volume. I especially found their thoughtful focus on the often contentious processes and thorny dilemmas of defining family abuse and violence to be valuable, as well as they way they situate these processes in larger cultural, organizational, and political contexts. The book's synthesis of theoretical perspectives and typologies of family violence/abuse is also valuable for those seeking an intelligent overview of the field. I would certainly recommend the book for use in upper level undergraduate classes or graduate seminars on family, violence, criminal justice policy, or social work. -- Jeffrey Ulmer, Associate Professor of Sociology and Crime, Law, and Justice (Penn State University)
