Book Reviews
| Author | Marian Duggan, Anne Robinson, Jake Phillips |
| Pages | 103-111 |
103
BOOK REVIEWS
Edited by Marian Duggan, Anne Robinson & Jake Phillips
THE ANATOMY OF VIOLENCE: THE BIOLOGICAL ROOTS OF CRIME
Adrian Raine (2013) London: Allen Lane pp496 £25 ISBN: 978-1846143076
The name Lombroso is seen differently in Adrian Raine’s latest book, Ana tomy of Violence.
Within the field of criminolo gy, it is general knowledge that though Cesare Lombroso
brought scientific methodology to the study of crime, his findings are widely discredited as
they posit that criminality is genetic and is identifiable through many physiological
features. But with Raine’s ability to shift once infamous ideas into thought provoking
ones, Lombroso is depicted as a criminologist who had the right idea regarding the origins
of crime.
In Anatomy of Violence, Raine sends the reader on a journey of developments in
neurocriminology, arguing for the consideration of biological factors in crime policy. An
unusual but refreshing combination of autobiography (the reader learns how Raine
established his interests in the biology of crime), quirk (comic book hero Tintin is involved)
and honesty (sometimes he admits that the relationships for crime and violence are
complicated), th e book clearly demonstrates Raine’s passion and enthusiasm toward his
research. Unlike a standard academic text that exclusively targets fellow scholars,
Anatomy of Violence is an open invitation for anyone interested in crime.
The approach is reminiscent of an amicable conversation between a teacher and student.
The writing style acknowledges the reader, using plenty of “you”s. Raine aptly fuses
mainstream references and his academic work to create accessibility to his lif etime’s work,
a skill that tends to be lacking in academia. Understanding plays a major role in the
exchange as Raine provides numerous examples, stories and hypothetical scenarios for
the reader to follow along. In a way, it is interactive, and the reader finishes the book
knowing just as much about Adrian Raine as about his research, demonstrating that his life
is intertwined with his work.
Raine showcases ground breaking studies he and his colleagues have conducted, from
abnormal areas of the brain to malnutrition , supporting evidence that crime, particularly
violence, has a biological basis. But Raine is also honest with the reader. He points out the
findings’ limitations and contradictions and carefully e mphasises that biological factors are
not the only culprits increasing the likelihood for violence. Rather, the social environment
British Journal of Community Justice
©2014 Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield
ISSN 1475-0279
Vol. 12(2):103-111
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