Mass murders. Increased suicides.

Tattered lives. Armed authorities pitted against unarmed Black men.

Our means of preventing gun violence is fatally flawed. Robert Fraga covers the history, statistics and more, answering the question: what can be done?Many in rural states believe you fight guns with guns.

Fraga examines the Heartland, specifically Kansas. ‘Bleeding Kansas” he reminds the reader, is “home to Dodge City, the cow town so beset by violence that it invited Wyatt Earp to be its Marshall.

The City Council instituted a ‘Deadline’ along Front Street, separating the north end of town where guns were prohibited—cowboys packing heat there were arrested and immediately packed off to jail—from the free-wheeling south end where pretty much any behavior went unchecked. ” Unpacking the right to bear arms and the 2nd Amendment, Fraga exposes the history of the NRA up to and including the Russian Maria Butina’s involvement in the NRA in 2016.

Fraga “. .

. traces America’s history .

. .

from the days of Bleeding Kansas to the long tradition of political assassination, exploring the ways that American gun culture has become more radical over time. Related issues of racism, police violence, mental health, and suicide are discussed, as are the numerous ways that efforts to legislate gun control have been stymied at all levels of government.

Fraga is a skilled writer, and his matter-of-fact prose captures the mundane terror of these stories . .

. “—Kirkus Reviews “I thought that A Parade of Grief by Robert Fraga was a real eyeopener.

The first chapter was about my hometown, and I have even frequented that rest stop multiple times. I had heard that particular story but didn’t know all the details.

I really appreciated how he was able to get all the facts. I loved that he shared both sides of the story of all the shootings.

. .

. I love that no matter what side you’re on, there will be times when this will make you angry.

I appreciated that the author gave a detailed history that you wouldn’t learn in a history class. I loved the ending, because not only did Robert Fraga give us hope, but also ideas on how to achieve it.

. .

. I highly recommend this book.

It will give you a lot to think about. — Renee Guill, Reviewer for Readers’ Favorite“A topic as serious as gun violence is hard to distill, Fraga has outlined the salient points with the skill of a veteran writer.

His last chapter should be a must-read for anyone concerned about our children’s future, “What Can Be Done?” Fraga’s answer is practical and achievable. ”—Mitch Cearbhall, From Imagination to ManifestationRobert Fraga wrote The Greening of Oz (2012), about the town of Greensburg in western Kansas, that “came back green” after a tornado almost wiped it out, and The Road through San Judas (2020), about the struggle between landless farmers and the wealthy Mexican family who wanted them gone.

His latest, A Parade of Grief, is an important read. .