There is a long history of efforts by military and police forces to deploy sound against enemies, criminals, and citizens. During a 2004 battle in Fallujah, U.S. Marines bolted large speakers to the roofs of their Humvees, blasting AC/DC, Eminem, and Metallica songs. High-decibel, "nonlethal" sonic weapons have become the tools of choice for crowd control at political demonstrations. Volcler documents and interrogates this sinister threat to the "peace and quiet" that societies have traditionally craved.

"Originally published in France as Le son comme arme by Éditions La Découverte, Paris, 2011." "Originally published in France as Le son comme arme by Éditions La Découverte, Paris, 2011"--Title page verso.

Introduction: "we don't yet know what a sonic body can do" -- "Ears don't have lids": technical aspects of hearing -- The death ray: infrasounds and low frequencies -- "Hit by a wall of air": explosions -- "Totally cut off from the known": silence and saturation -- "Hell's bells": medium-frequency sounds -- "No matter what your purpose is, you must leave": the sound of power -- Conclusion: "a passionate sound gesture".