A unique writing style, and comprehensive and international coverage of the history of violence, make this a thought-provoking read for human geographers.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

CHAPTER 1- THE BEST OF ALL POSSIBLE VIOLENCE: THE FRIGHTFUL FALLOUT FROM THE GREAT LISBON EARTHQUAKE;
CHAPTER 2- ONCE UPON A TIME, LONG, LONG AGO: THE CESSPITS OF THE ENLIGHTENMENT ;
CHAPTER 3- PRE-INDUSTRIAL MASS KILLING: THE GIFT OF DEATH FROM ANCIENT ROME TO THE AZTEC EMPIRE ;
CHAPTER 4- THE EUROPEAN WAY OF WAR: FROM ABATTOIR CHRISTIANITY TO GODFORSAKEN TOTAL WAR.
CHAPTER 5- ENLIGHTENED KILLING: FROM THE DELICACY OF THE WET GUILLOTINE TO THE DAMP SQUIB OF ELECTROCUTION
CHAPTER 6- THE ANIMAL SLAUGHTER INDUSTRY: PERFECT CITIES OF BLOOD PARIS AND CHICAGO;
CHAPTER 7- THE HUMAN SLAUGHTER INDUSTRY: WAR-MACHINES, SPEED-SPACE, AND SHELL SHOCK;
CHAPTER 8- WEAPONIZED AIR: FROM FORCED EUTHANASIA TO MILITARY BALLOONING ;
CHAPTER 9- ATMOSPHERIC TERRORISM: EXTERMINATORY AIR CONDITIONING;
CHAPTER 10- BLACK METEOROLOGY: EXPERIMENTAL AIRQUAKES AND LETHAL LANDSCAPES ;
CHAPTER 11- FIRESTORMS AND CORPSE MINES: THE OPTIMISM OF IMPRECISION IN INCINERATED CITIES.
CHAPTER 12- CAPITAL PUNISHMENT: A RACE OF OUTCASTS REDUCED TO THE STATUS OF ORDINARY MEN
CHAPTER 13- THE BUSINESS OF GENOCIDE: DESK MURDERERS AND CALCULATED KILLERS ; STILL DEAD CERTAIN