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Product Description
Review
"Based on immense scholarship, Genocide: A Comprehensive Introduction is much more than an indispensable text for students of this seemingly intractable phenomenon. With its global and interdisciplinary perspectives, it consistently advances our understanding of genocidal events on many fronts. Provocative yet balanced, Adam Jones’s second edition at once summarizes and defines this burgeoning field."
A. Dirk Moses, University of Sydney and the European University Institute, Florence
Already the most wide-ranging, accessible and clear-sighted introduction to the subject, the significantly expanded 2nd edition unflinchingly extends the range of its discussion to include contentious issues such as 'cultural' genocide, whether post 9/11 terrorism falls under the rubric, and the wider scope of Ottoman violence against Christian 'minorities' in 1915. Compassionate, searching, up-to-the minute and sometimes even electrifying in its prose this is the book I will be particularly recommending to my university students of genocide.
Mark Levene, University of Southampton, UK
Reviews for 1st edition:
With its interdisciplinary approach and bevy of case studies, 'Genocide: A Comprehensive Introduction' will surely become the seminal text for students of genocide. Written in an engaging and conversational style, the book not only explores existing frameworks, but expands the boundaries of genocide studies with attention to issues such as gender and the future of genocide. Perhaps best of all, Jones educates and inspires the reader to become an active and responsible global citizen.
Nicholas A. Robins, Duke University, USA
This is the best introductory text available to students of genocide studies. Written in clear, elegant prose and supported by a wealth of authoritative sources, GENOCIDE: A COMPREHENSIVE INTRODUCTION is likely to become the gold standard by which all subsequent introductions to this enormously important subject will be measured
Kenneth J. Campbell, Professor of Political Science, University of Delaware, USA
This wide-ranging inquest into the dynamics of genocidal violence stands as a major contribution to the dismal science of 'massacrology.' More than a collection of case studies, it offers a depth of critical insight and a richness of data seldom matched in comparative studies of genocide. Informed by a formidable erudition, and a deep personal sensitivity to the horrors that he describes, Adam Jones's splendid book is a milestone in the literature on mass crimes and genocide.
Rene Lemarchand, Department of Political Science, University of Florida, USA
The subtitle says it all: unique in the literature, this book provides a thorough, comprehensive introduction to the subject of genocide. Jones, a Yale political scientist and genocide scholar, delivers a very readable, intellectually stimulating text. The overall perspective is interdisciplinary. Relevant research and insights from psychology, sociology, and anthropology are included; maps and illustrations complement many of the examples and case studies. A Web site http://www.genocidetext.net supplements the book. The historical coverage ranges from discussions of genocide in the Hebrew Bible to contemporary abominations in Sudan's Darfur region. Commendably, there are thoughtful chapters on the significance of gender, memory and denial, and postgenocide tribunals. The book concludes with strategies to anticipate future genocides and intervene when necessary. Readers are encouraged as responsible citizens to consider their reactions to genocide. Summing Up: Essential. All readership levels.
P. G. Conway, SUNY College at Oneonta, Choice - Reviews Online
Product Description
Genocide: A Comprehensive Introduction is the most wide-ranging textbook on genocide yet published. The book is designed as a text for upper-undergraduate and graduate students, as well as a primer for non-specialists and general readers interested in learning about one of humanity’s enduring blights.
Fully updated to reflect the latest thinking in this rapidly developing field, this new edition:
- provides an introduction to genocide as both a historical phenomenon and an analytical-legal concept, including an extended discussion of the concept of genocidal intent, and the dynamism and contingency of genocidal processes
- discusses the role of state-building, imperialism, war, and social revolution in fueling genocide
- supplies a wide range of full-length case studies of genocides worldwide, each with an accompanying box-text
- explores perspectives on genocide from the social sciences, including psychology, sociology, anthropology, political science/international relations, and gender studies
- considers "The Future of Genocide," with attention to historical memory and genocide denial; initiatives for truth, justice, and redress; and strategies of intervention and prevention.
Written in clear and lively prose, liberally sprinkled with over 100 illustrations and maps, and including personal testimonies from genocide survivors, Genocide: A Comprehensive Introduction has established itself as the core textbook of the new generation of genocide scholarship. An accompanying website (www.genocidetext.net) features a broad selection of supplementary materials, teaching aids, and Internet resources.
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As you can imagine, there are many books on the subject. However, most tend to focus on specific genocides only: i.e., Darfur, Rwanda, Jewish Holocaust, etc. This book, however, seems to cover them all - at least all the major ones in recent history. Here, each genocide is examined individually by chapter and receives fair and proper treatment. Jones shows no apparent signs of favouritism or prejudice as he remains objective from start to finish. Almost every statement of fact is supported by a citation or some kind of attribution, which shows just how much research was conducted for this project. And at the end of each chapter, an impressive list of notes and selected books is offered for further study, which I'm sure readers will find very useful.
From the genocide of Native Americans to the most recent genocide in Darfur, Jones gets right down to business and discloses every essential piece of information one needs to know; the historical background, the circumstances, the atrocities, the methods in which the atrocities were committed, the identity of the perpetrators and the victims, the number of casualties, and the end result of each genocide. Not shy of addressing even the toughest questions (example: "Is genocide ever justified?" or, "Are democracies less likely to wage war and genocide...?"), Jones provides us with not only his own expertise on such matters, but also the insights of other prominent experts in the field. This gives the reader a much more balanced and multidimensional view on the complexities of genocide.
I found Chapters 10 through 16 especially informative, and fascinating at the same time. Here, the focus is on the psychological aspect of genocide: Why do "ordinary" people participate in such atrocities? How could anyone ever become so cruel and sadistic? Why would anyone even attempt to justify or deny a genocide? What's going on inside the brain of these people? I've always wanted to understand the mindset of these individuals and what motivates them to do such things, beyond the simplistic "hatred," and "brainwashed by propaganda" factors that so many authors tend to contend with. Although racism and propaganda do in fact play a significant role in genocide, there are other elements that motivate "genocidaires."
These elements, according to Jones' findings, are purely psychological. They include: Greed, Fear, Narcissism, and Humiliation. As Jones elaborates on these factors, things begin to truly unravel, especially when he introduces the Milgram and Zimbardo experiments, which I think are quite astonishing and may very well surprise some (if not most) readers. However, I would also suspect that some readers may not agree with everything stated in this book.
For example, I disagree entirely with Jones' siding with the likes of Noam Chomsky, who stood in defence of Holocaust denier Robert Faurisson. As far as Jones is concerned, scum bags like Faurisson should not be punished by law for denying a genocide and for promoting outrageous propaganda. This, quite frankly, caught me off guard. I'm very surprised by that fact, considering the overall tone of this book. It really boggles my mind as to why Jones - a man so dedicated in spreading awareness about genocide - would actually tolerate the views of those that dismiss it. But thankfully, Jones does not persuade the reader into accepting his personal views, and at least he has the decency to present both sides of the argument to allow readers to form their own opinion. But as far as I'm concerned, there is a visible distinction between free speech and hate speech. Genocide denial falls into the category of hate speech, which in moral terms, should be completely outlawed.
But besides my disagreement with the author on this one particular issue, I have nothing to complain about. Jones demonstrates a high degree of professionalism and accomplishes a very difficult task in breaking down such broad subject. I would consider this book ideal for high school, college, and university students. In my opinion, this is the sort of book that belongs in every library and book store. I highly recommend it!
I should've known better as I had read his Gendercide book and hated it, but from the descriptions of this book, I expected it was going to be a good one...I was mistaken.
Yes, Jones does cover a wide variety of topics in this book, but all but one or two of the chapters are so painfully biased and Western-centric that it is almost embarrassing. The book practically SCREAMS "White, upper-middle-class, old-school, British male. From his insensitive language choices (for example, he calls every genocide "Holocaust" - like the "Cambodian Holocaust") to his totally condescending western bias, there was so much to critique about this text that I was actually embarrassed to have assigned it. Even my first year students complained constantly about this book EVERY week!
His chapter on Gender is particularly awful - really - I mean it is certainly important to attend to the ways in which men are targeted in genocide, and to shed light on the use of sexual violence against men, but his choice to foreground the ways men are affected by genocide - contextualized as if no one EVER pays any attention to the plight of men - is so off-putting that by the time he actually gets to some of the deeper gender and genocide issues, the reader is utterly turned off.
To be fair, his chapter on Rwanda was really nicely done, and his chapter on Memory, Forgetting and Denial is also quite good. I also appreciate that, in many chapters, after he treats a given (better-known) genocide in detail, he offers a sort of post-script that illuminates a lesser known event. But in all honesty, these features are not enough to persuade me to EVER use this text again...in fact I wish I could give my students their money back (oh yeah...the book is also pretty expensive).
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