JAMES GARBARINO is director of the Family Life Development Centerand professor of human development at Cornell University. He is theauthor of Raising Children in a Socially Toxic Environment (1995)from Jossey-Bass. JOHN ECKENRODE is associate director of the Family Life DevelopmentCenter and professor of human development at Cornell University.

"A well-written, carefully edited book that offers a new way ofconceptualizing child abuse. It is a book well suited for collegecourses, training programs, and practicing clinicians and should berequired reading for politicians and policy makers." (PsychiatricServices) "In an accessible style that incorporates clinical vignettes toillustrate concepts, these authors have made an important andlasting contribution to our understanding of child abuse.Understanding Abusive Families will be an important addition to thelibraries of all who are interested in understanding childmaltreatment and in protecting the most vulnerable members ofsociety?our children." (Dante Cicchetti, Ph.D., University ofRochester, Mt. Hope Family Center) "Understanding Abusive Families presents a useful overview of thechild abuse problem and a cogent plea to stop doing business asusual. If we heeded this plea as a nation, we could begin to helpchildren get beyond the scars of abuse." (Anne Cohn Donnelly,executive director, National Committee to Prevent ChildAbuse) "A comprehensive, well-documented, and clarifying study of animportant issue. Offers thoughtful recommAndations for bothprevention and intervention. Anyone interested in vulnerablechildren and adolescents will find something of use in thisvolume." (Donald Cohen, director, Yale University Child StudyCenter, and Jean Adnopoz, associate clinical professor, YaleUniversity Child Study Center) "An invaluable resource. Provides an important view of familieswithin a broader context--within the real world in which they live.This comprehensive perspective can help improve our ability toprotect children, support families, and prevent childmaltreatment." (Deanne Tilton Durfee, executive director, LosAngeles County Inter-Agency Council on Child Abuse and Neglect)

• Part One: An Introduction to Basic Concepts . 1. The Meaning of Maltreatment (James Garbarino, JohnEckenrode). 2. The Scope and History of Child Abuse and Neglect (Frank Barry,Patrick Collins). 3. The Community Context of Child Abuse and Neglect (JamesGarbarino, Frank Barry). 4. Disturbances in Relationships: Parenting, Family Development,and Child Maltreatment (Kerry Bolger, Marney Thomas, JohnEckenrode). Part Two: Special Issues. 5. The Elusive Crime of Psychological Maltreatment (JamesGarbarino, John Eckenrode, Kerry Bolger). 6. Family Sexual Abuse (Marney Thomas, John Eckenrode, JamesGarbarino). 7. Child Maltreatment in Loco Parentis (Michael Nunno, MarthaHolden, Brian Leidy). Part Three: Adolescent Maltreatment. 8. The Maltreatment of Youth (James Garbarino, John Eckenrode, JaneLevine Powers). 9. Youth in Trouble Are Youth Who Have Been Hurt (John Eckenrode,Jane Levine Powers, James Garbarino). 10. In Conclusion: Family Life Development and Child Protection(James Garbarino, John Eckenrode).