The End of Violence

Brought to you by Penguin.

Violence is often regarded as an unavoidable fact of life. The truth is far more hopeful: violence is a disease that can be cured.

Drawing on decades spent fighting infectious disease before founding Cure Violence Global, Dr Gary Slutkin shows that violence behaves like any other epidemic – it spreads through exposure, but it can also be interrupted, contained and ultimately eliminated. By treating violence as a contagious illness rather than a moral failing, he reveals how communities around the world have begun to heal themselves, by following the basic epidemic playbook. These methods have dramatically reduced or eliminated violence in communities in the US, Latin America, and around the world.

With clear-sighted pragmatism, The End of Violence uncovers the invisible logic of violence – and how it works on our brains and bodies – offering an inspiring and time-tested roadmap for our recovery. Incisive, far-reaching and profoundly hopeful, it challenges the idea that violence is inevitable and shows us a concrete way to a more peaceful world.

'Gary Slutkin is one of the most important thinkers and activists in the vital effort to understand and reduce violence….an invaluable contribution.' Steven Pinker, author of The Better Angels of Our Nature

'This book could not be more relevant or useful.' William Ury, bestselling author of Getting to Yes

'A visionary work. A must-read, not only for practitioners but also for everyday people who care about their families, their futures, and those around them.' Dr Susan L. Bissell, Founding Director, Global Partnership to End Violence Against Children

'Dr Slutkin is revolutionizing the field entirely... The world needs this book now to change the tide of violence and build a world of peace.' Rima Salah, former Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations

© Gary Slutkin 2026 (P) Penguin Audio 2026