The Cambridge World History of Genocide: Chillingly Explorative

 The modern definition of Genocide (in respect of being a heinous crime against humanity), was first imprinted into the fabric of history in the aftermath of the Second World War, in response to the great evils committed during the course of said war. Even at that time, it was seen then that this definition was given under the understanding that its implications would retrospective apply to genocides committed throughout human history, which otherwise had faded into obscurity, or simply classed as a "casualty of war". 

To this end, the definition of genocide aimed to achieve two things; the first was to prevent the horrors of the Holocaust (and similar crimes against humanity) from ever happening again; the second (and perhaps less appreciated) was to begin a deep (and indeed uncomfortable) introspection of humanity's past actions and highlight that theses atrocities made manifest over the preceding 2 decades, were indeed present time and time again throughout history. Those who ignore history are doomed to repeat it (paraphrasing the oldest truth of the human condition); the second aim of the definition was to nullify the risk of future genocides through education and acknowledgment of past actions. In addition, its most noble attribute was also to pay tribute to the untold scores of genocide victims. The succeeding decades until the present day has seen the failure of this definition in its aim to safeguard future generations against genocide.

The Cambridge History of Genocide painstakingly explores the signs, symptoms, nature and aftermath of genocides through human history; through a careful, detailed yet respectful interpretation and telling of countless genocides. This series explores an impressive number (though as pointed out by the text itself, it is by no means a complete telling of every genocide throughout history) of atrocities through history; especially those which have fallen into the victimhood of obscurity. 

This 3 volume series explores genocides through case studies across 3 thematic eras: antiquity to the beginning of the renaissance; the renaissance to the First World War and genocides until the modern day. Each volume sets out to contextualise the causes and uses of genocide thorough out each of the three eras. One can appreciate the level of care taken to properly tell these narratives at level which is both informative yet concise, in order to fully outline the facts. The historical analysis is superb, and the supporting visual sources (maps, figures and images) are of a high quality, which fully aids in the nature of the arguments made.

What makes this series stands out from the other historical monograph is the relevancy it still has today, beyond the realms of scholarly endeavour, to the lives of people throughout the world. 


The Cambridge World History of Genocide

3 Volume Hardback Set

  • ISBN: 9781108759731

  • Price: $400 


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