Lost Boys: Why Our Sons Turn Violent and How We Can Save Them

by James Garbarino

Book Overview

"Remarkable. What sets Lost Boys apart from the ordinary lament is the author's palpable sense of care and compassion."--The Washington Post Book World

Our national consciousness has been altered by haunting images of mass slaughters in American high schools, carried out by troubled young boys with guns. It's now clear that no matter where we live or how hard we try as parents, our children are likely to be going to school...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0385499329
• ISBN13: 9780385499323
• Release Date: August 2000
• Publisher: Anchor Books
• Length: 288 Pages
• Weight: 0.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.2" x 7.9"

Customer Reviews

Very unusual, compassionate book

I've read a lot of books about lost boys, but I've seldom been as impressed as I was by this one. Unlike other experts, this author never gives up on a boy--even if he's sitting on death row, as 300 American juveniles are. The author speaks of the divine spark in each of us--even murderers. He also addresses the root causes of violence and how to save our children. Prevention is the answer, of course,along with compassion and believing in the inherent goodness of all human beings. In a society that equates punishment with justice and believes in retribution rather than resurrection, LOST BOYS offers spiritual and practical hope for all.

Must reading for policy makers

James Garbarino's book highlights the confusion that we instill in children when we make them responsible for their actions and don't accept our responsibility for their well being. As a former junior high school principal, I wish every legislator would read this book before they pass more laws moving juvenile offenders into our cruel and ineffective adult correctional system.

A masterful blend of research and humanity

It is rare to find a world-class researcher that can write with clarity and passion. Dr. Garbarino is such a scholar. I am a Protestant minister and psychologist and his treatment of the question of spirituality in troubled boys is at the heart of the issue. Recommended to those in the religious community.

An extradinary book by an extradinary man

For those who were surprised by the Littleton killings or any of the others...this book is for you. In 25 years of Social Work practice and education I have never seen a kinder or more cogent discussion of the plight of males in our soceity. Dr. Garbarino's perspective on our social responsibilities is both sobering and moral. Yes, there are solutions to our toxicity, however, to date, this has not been a political, moral, economic or social priority. We are challenged to acknowledge the existance and pervasiveness of this environment and suffer the inconveniences of improving it.

Read this book to find out how to avoid more Littletons

If you want to see a clear examination of the problems that lead to the type of terrible violence we saw this week in Littleton, Colorado browse a copy of LOST BOYS: Why our sons run violent and how we can save them. By James Garbarino, Ph.D. Free Press; ISBN: 0684859084I saw this this morning and thought that Professor Garbarino talks convincingly about the effects of isolation and marginalization of kids (boys especially); the easy availability of firearms; and the effects that point and shoot videogames and violent media have in removing the normal human reluctance that people have innately that makes most of us reluctant to point a weapon at another person to shoot to kill.Garbarino offers some hope and some concrete ideas about how we can contribute, individually and as a community, to stemming this increasingly common tragedy.If you have an interest in making your community safer from the kind of violence that ambushed Littleton, Colorado; Jonesboro, Arkansas and all too many other American communities I'd recommend reading this book.