When Men Kill

This book describes various patterns of homicide that involve men killing women and other men. A qualitative study, it eschews heavy use of statistics to focus on case studies. Kenneth Polk then establishes the themes which run through four specific 'senarios' of violence. When Men Kill discusses the role of gender and class in homicide and raises a number of important policy issues. It will sharpen international understanding of homicide and the comprehensive classification scheme it develops will be of importance to criminologists everywhere.

• Over one hundred case studies rather than a heavy use of statistics make this book unique as it gives a picture of the circumstances which lead to murder
• Overview and critique of other homicide classification schemes will make this book of interest to criminologists, particularly in the US
• Important discussion of the relationship of class and gender to homicide as well as the nature of masculinity, esp. its violent aspects