Violence is all around us; yet, despite its widespread prevalence, we remain unclear about its causes. In this book Felicity de Zulueta - a psychiatrist, psychoanalytical psychotherapist and biologist - begins by defining violence as distinct from aggression, and then attempts to trace its origins, highlighting the polarization between those who believe mankind to be innately violent and those who see violence as the outcome of man's life experiences. As a result of her investigations, the author suggests that the current high level of violence may well be linked to the effects of childhood and adult trauma which appear to be far more widespread than has hitherto been acknowledged, both in psychiatric patients and in the general population. These findings are relevant to understanding why normal people can become violent in certain conditions. The book provides a detailed overview of what is currently known about the traumatic origins of violence and what conclusions can be drawn from the latest research findings.