This book was not what I expected. What I thought was going to be a book about how Americans are just unique to gun violence, because of more guns and high amounts of inequality.

However, the author quickly disabuses the reader of the usual scapegoats of inequality and the amount of the guns on the streets.

The author argues that its our reflexive, System 2 thinking. Its our knee jerk reaction to a situation that leads to gun violence. Gun violence is more of a crime of passion, then an economic risk, or anything else.

I loved all of the examples that the author laid out, how more cops do not necessarily mean less violence (the story of the grandmother in the wheelchair surrounded by cops, threatening people is branded in my memory).

Mr Ludwig provides examples of things that are working. Breaking the Cycle of Violence, learning how to talk and step back and think about what the situation is really happening, are all things that we need to teach the younger generation.

I liked that Mr. Ludwig just didn't say ok no more guns, or just give people money, no he looked at the behavior and the thinking patterns of people who shot/killed someone with a gun in Chicago to find the answer to Chicago's gun violence.

This book is for anyone interested in gun violence and how to combat it.

While this book covers a very important issue in American society, the writing felt a bit dry. Not a lot of the content offered new ideas or solutions. The thesis/point of the book was also hard to decipher. Again, we must address gun violence, its origins, and possible solutions, but I do not think this book offers that. Perhaps that is an issue on my end and I am not the target/niche audience, but regardless, I think this book can be slightly edited to make more sense.

Jens Ludwig’s Unforgiving Places presents an intriguing premise that promises a deep dive into the harsh realities of guns- violence in America. However, where the book fell short for me was in its pacing. There are still redeeming qualities in Unforgiving Places. The writing itself is solid, with clear prose and well-constructed sentences. Can't say I dislike just was so-so interesting.
Thanks to NetGalley for advance copy

Well-written and researched treatise on the true causes of gun violence. You may be surprised by the findings! Interesting comparison between US and other countries who have similar population sizes.