William T. Vollmann

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book.jpgRising Up and Rising Down (McSweeney's; abridged, Harper Collins)

In the past, we've discussed William Vollmann's novels, but this time our subject is his mammoth inquiry, a study of the history of violence, which fills seven large volumes. Vollmann explains his "moral calculus" -- a process for determining when, and if, violence is justified.

Read an excerpt from Rising Up and Rising Down.

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