This book essentially asks one question: should political considerations be divorced from or an inherent part of the consideration as to whether the United States should intervene into a foreign genocide?
Power, a highly regarded scholar in this field, has compiled a stellar detailing of the genocides of the 20th century. This book is remarkably in-depth as to its scope, and is a perfect introduction into the grisly field of genocide studies. Power details the battles of Raphael Lemkin to get the word "genocide" introduced into common parlance. She then moves to detail the ratification of the genocide convention by the United Nations and the subsequent refusal of the United States to sign it, despite previous genocides (also discussed) in Turkey during WWI and, of course, Nazi Germany during WWII.
Let me be clear. This is NOT a book about the Holocaust. We have all heard the chilling tales and the despicable actions committed during this period. Power does detail the Holocaust in some respects, but she does so more to explain its place historically as a basis for future genocide considerations. Essentially, then, this book does the following: Power details the establishment of the word "genocide" and the historical context for the term. Then, she details the first case of modern genocide during Pol Pot's regime in Cambodia, followed by the genocide of Saddam Hussein against his own people in Iraq. The plight of the Kurds and Cambodians is discussed as relating to this historical context. In this respect, it is crucial to note that the subsequent assertion that Hussein committed genocide set the standard that one did not need to move beyond one's own country's boundaries to commit the atrocity. Following, Power engages in discussion of the genocides in the Balkans (Yugoslavia, Kosovo, etc.) and, of course, Rwanda.
What is chilling is that the international community continues to determine whether intervening in a genocide is worth the political capital expended in the effort. Power seeks to remedy this question, asserting not only that genocide should be stopped because it is the morally right thing to do, but also because it provides clear political capital benefits. This book is a chilling introduction to a grisly subject written by a master.
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This is...disgusting
I'm sure the content of the book is great. But this dirt (it was some sticky residue) was not at all in the description...sorely disappointed with how disgusting it is.
Top reviews from other countries
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"Ein Problem aus der Hölle" - ein erschütternder Bericht - mit dem Pulitzer Preis ausgezeichnet
Reviewed in Germany on October 2, 2008