Before the Shooting Begins

by James Davison Hunter

Addressing America's cultural conflict about such issues as abortion, homosexuality, and family values, the author presents a plan in which America can achieve a renewed democracy, despite these differences.

272 pages, Paperback

First published March 28, 1994

About the author

James Davison Hunter is the Labrosse-Levinson Distinguished Professor of Religion, Culture, and Social Theory at the University of Virginia and Executive Director of the Institute for Advanced Studies in Culture.

Reviews

[David F. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A model of good scholarship

This book is a worthy follow up to Hunter’s 1991 work “Culture Wars,” which is also worth a read.  Though you can read this on its own, you should read Culture Wars anyways because that book is a classic.  In Before the Shooting Begins, Hunter takes the ideas developed in “Culture Wars” and applies them to the abortion debate.  While “Culture Wars” went for breadth, this book goes for depth, exposing the rhetoric of Pro Life and Pro Choice, differing moral commitments, and its relationship to democracy.  What is incredible is how relevant this book is, especially post roe.  It is well researched, with plenty of social theory, surveys, and research statistics as well.  

Most impressive is how unbiased Hunter is.  He spends time criticizing pro lifers and pro choices for unhelpful rhetoric.  At the end of the book, I still had no idea where he stood on abortion and what he thought about it.

[Mark Seeley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this back in the late 90's. Had the privilege of meeting the author and had him sign my edition. Best discussion on multiculturalism at the time.