Before Conflict

Byrnes makes the case for stopping aggression before it starts. Rather than dwelling on violence and its aftermath, such as deaths, crimes and assaults, he focuses on the stage that comes before any of it occurs. The aim is to act early instead of responding once harm has been done.

His method, which he calls Aggression Management, is offered as an alternative to conflict resolution, a practice that usually begins once a dispute is already underway. Because people feel and handle anger differently, the book shows readers how to gauge their own aggression as well as that of others. With these skills, a reader can step in before problems take shape.

The book is written for people whose work involves the safety of others. It names educators, health care and social services staff, law enforcement officers, retail and food service workers, and U.S. Postal Service employees as its intended readers.