Book Review: James, W. C. (2007). Defining Danger. New Brunswick, NJ: Transaction Publishers. ix pp., 417 pp

Published date01 December 2008
DOI10.1177/0734016808320289
AuthorRobert M. Worley
Date01 December 2008
Subject MatterArticles
individual, group, and community goals. They also suggest that programs would benefit
from a clear understanding of the differences between prevention, intervention, and sup-
pression strategies. The last chapter offers an impressive model for organizing policy
choices that will greatly increase the general understanding of gang control programs.
When applied to 58 gang control programs, the policy model clarifies numerous similari-
ties and differences between programs.
Street Gang Patterns and Policies is an important piece of scholarship by two of the most
influential gang scholars. The reader should expect that this book thoroughly discusses
empirical literature on numerous important gang issues and provides new insights when
necessary. The authors are making an unambiguously strong statement about the need for
gang control programs and the deficiencies of current programs. Consequently, the book
represents a significant advancement in thinking and provides direction for future program
development and research. This discussion, however, is far from resolved. The organiza-
tions creating and implementing these programs are as complicated as gangs themselves.
Knowledge about gangs will only lead to successful programs when combined with a work-
ing knowledge of such organizations and the ability to orchestrate them.
Timothy R. Lauger
Indiana University
James, W. C. (2007). Defining Danger. New Brunswick, NJ:
Transaction Publishers. ix pp., 417 pp.
DOI: 10.1177/0734016808320289
In this book, James Clarke makes a very convincing argument that assassination attempts
have been extremely prevalent throughout the history of American politics. In fact, the
author contends that America’s democratically elected leaders are more likely to be the targets
of violence than public figures in other countries. Clarke contends that the danger faced by
political officials is one of the defining characteristics of American politics that sets the
United States apart from other nations. To advance this notion, he examines the assassinations
and assassination attempts of various high-profile political leaders between 1789 and 2001;
in the opening, the author explains that this time period marks the beginning of George
Washington’s presidency to the conclusion of Bill Clinton’s second term in office.
Using the above time frame, Clarke provides a systematic examination of 18 individuals
who either assassinated or attempted to assassinate a prominent political figure. It is note-
worthy that he does not limit this discussion to only individuals who have targeted U.S.
presidents. In addition to providing in-depth analyses of these subjects, Clarke also explores
the motives and psyches of offenders who have plotted against other public figures. Some
of these targets include individuals such as Huey Long, Martin Luther King, Jr., Robert F.
Kennedy, and George Wallace. Finally, the author examines three individuals who have
engaged in domestic acts of terror where members of the general public were targeted. One
of these subjects includes Timothy McVeigh about whom the author provides a particularly
interesting discussion toward the conclusion of the book. In analyzing this subject, Clarke
580 Criminal Justice Review

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