America is fascinated by violence - where it comes from in ourselves, how it spreads through society and what effect it has on the next generation. This collection of essays examines numerous facets of violence in contemporary American culture, ranging across literature, film, philosophy, religion, fairy tales, children's play, photojournalism and sports. In particular, "Why We Watch" offers a careful look at why we are drawn to depictions of violence and why there is a market for violent entertainment. The book is intended for students, scholars and general readers in media studies, cultural studies, psychology, and social behaviour.