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Revenge: A Short Enquiry into Retribution

Revenge: A Short Enquiry into Retribution

by StephenFineman (Author)

  • Used

    Hardcover 2017

    $12.52
Synopsis

Revenge is a primal force at the heart of conflict and justice, as ancient as humanity itself. 'Getting even' can restore the balance of relationships and bring order; it can fill the vacuum left by imperfect or unfair justice systems. But revenge can get out of hand, and spirals of revenge are notoriously destructive. Digital media has created a new generation of armchair avengers, settling real or imaginary scores and provoking new ones. Unless it is perceived to serve a socially acceptable purpose, such as addressing a national threat, salvaging honour or defeating a competitor, revenge is most often frowned upon. In this bold new book, Stephen Fineman lifts the lid on revenge, exposing its intriguing contours across the workplace, intimate relationships, societal justice, wars and politics. He explores the psychology and experience of revenge and some of its more recent manifestations, such as cyber-stalking and revenge pornography. When should retribution be tolerated, or even celebrated? If we are all potential avengers, what does that say about us? Revenge tackles one of society's greatest challenges.

$12.52

Quantity

3 in stock

More Information

Format: Hardcover
 Pages: 224
 Publisher: Reaktion Books
Published: 01 Oct 2017
ISBN 10: 1780238401
ISBN 13: 9781780238401

Media Reviews
A compelling and relevant book, examining how revenge is not only affecting the world around us, but is remaking history, too. --Niki Panteli, Royal Holloway, University of London
In this highly entertaining and illuminating book, Fineman reveals how this powerful human urge to get our own back plays out in a wide range of settings--from the family and the workplace to within communities and between nations. Through the careful and nuanced analysis of historical and contemporary examples he shows how both revenge and forgiveness are not as straightforward as often depicted. Don't get mad, get Fineman's book. --Rob B. Briner, Queen Mary University of London
More compendium than treatise. . . . The compulsion to avenge 'threats to one's well-being, territory, pride, honor, esteem, identity, or role' is, Fineman writes, 'fixed in our biosocial make-up and triggered by strong emotions: sorrow, grief, humiliation, anger, or rage.' It is a legacy of our primate origins, or perhaps more accurately a reminder of our primate essence. Like chimpanzees and macaques, our species combines social reciprocity with a capacity for long memory. We merely perfected the capacity to hold a grudge--and to repay it with interest, using tools (weapons) more dangerous than anything available to primal chimp justice. --Scott McLemee Inside Higher Ed
Fineman argues, very persuasively, that revenge is a dish we really should serve--whether cold, hot or as a lukewarm canap . 'Our compulsion to avenge a wrongdoing is among the most primal of human urges, ' he explains. 'Getting even shows there is a price to pay.' I raced through this book, cackling--and relishing in particular the pages pointing out how, throughout history, and still in some areas of the world, mine is the sex that has been persistently maltreated and oppressed and that it's jolly nice finally to be getting our own back. --Emily Hill Spectator
Author Bio
Stephen Fineman is Professor Emeritus in the School of Management, University of Bath. His previous books include The Blame Business (Reaktion Books, 2015), Work: A Very Short Introduction (2012) and Understanding Emotion at Work (2003).