Satanic Panic: The Creation of a Contemporary Legend
Victor relies heavily upon the theories of social behavior and urban legends to explore and explain the "rumors, claims, and allegations" about Satanic cult crime in American society. Helpfully, he uses a language that renders the theories understandable to the lay reader, thus clearing away the psychological and linguistic smoke screen that usually accompanies the idea of Satanism. Along with his clear, well-researched analysis, Victor ( Human Sexuality , 1980) provides the reader with several appendixes, including an excellent bibliography and names and addresses of professionals who can be contacted for help. Parents, school administrators, police, and psychotherapists will find this a valuable tool as they investigate the underlying motivations of the Satanic panic in America. It should be made available to balance the one-sided, hysteria-driven production of books created by Satanic "experts" and "survivors."-- John B. Wright, Brigham Young Univ. , Provo, UtahCopyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.