Riots and reading are exepctional though not unusual social phenomena. Despire occurring irregularly, they are sufficiently common to be matters about which most of us have some knowledge. They have been the subject of considerable to extended scrutiny for more than a century, with psychologists, historians and sociologists at the forefront of scholarly inquiry.

Tim Newburn's international and comparative study offers a close analysis of protest, social movements and the violence connected with them. The book looks at riots across the world, ranging from those in America - from the sixties to the revent post-George Floyd uprisings -, in Europe, the Middle East - during the so-called 'Arab Spring' - and Hong Kong's Umbrella movement. Reading Riots questions why such violence occurs, uncovers what happens during riots and takes an extensive look at the legacy of such disorder.

This comprehensive book will be of great value to those interested in riots and protest, the policing of such disorder and its consequences, as well as social movements and protest violence in recent times.