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"A compelling investigation into the subtle drivers behind school shootings as a cultural trend—an essential read for policymakers and parents."

The tragedies at Uvalde, Texas, and Parkland, Florida, have shown that our national strategy to end school shootings is failing. In the book, Ross exposes the design flaws in our most celebrated prevention methods, as well as the unstated and at times unwarranted assumptions on which they are based. 

First, she examines America’s makeshift approach to combating school shootings since Columbine — active shooter response training, threat assessment teams and target hardening, including an in-depth look at the school resource officer's role. Next, through the interdisciplinary themes of power, propaganda and panic, the author explores society's psychological processes for controlling social threats. 

What emerges is an almost irreconcilable conflict between post-Columbine active shooter policy and traditional police culture that state and federal investigations into law enforcement's response at Uvalde have made plain. Readers who want to break mass murder's grip on society will find the book invaluable.

The 208-page book is available for pre-order in hardcover and ebook formats (ISBN 9798855804515, $120.00; 9798855804539, $35.95).