Using first person accounts, scholarly analyses and historical documents, this comparative study of genocide discusses the causes, results and ramifications of the genocides of the 20th century. Includes studies of the Hereros of Namibia, Burundi, Rwanda, Kosovo and the Holocaust. Index, refs, xxiii, 507pp, UK. ROUTLEDGE, 0419544309

Part travel diary through the Sahara and part historical study, this book argues that the racism that led to the Holocaust had its roots in Europe's colonial policy in Africa. The author draws on the writings of explorers, theologians, politicians and historians. Notes, 179pp, UK. GRANTA PUBLICATIONS LTD, 1862075085

Recent events in the former Yugoslavia, Rwanda, East Timor and Iraq have demonstrated with appalling clarity that the threat of genocide is still a major issue within world politics. The book examines the differing interpretations of genocide from psychology, sociology, anthropology and political science and analyses the influence of race, ethnicity, nationalism and gender on genocides. In the final section, the author examines how we punish those responsible for waging genocide and how the international community can prevent further bloodshed. Includes chapters on Rwanda and the DRC. 456pp, UK. ROUTLEDGE.

A study of the involvement of the United States and other liberal democracies in genocidal actions that are conventionally depicted as the exclusive province of totalitarian and authoritarian regimes. Cases of genocide and war crimes examined include US involvement in Iraq, Afghanistan and Vietnam, French action in Algeria, Imperial Germany against the Herero of Southern Africa, the Anglo American bombardment of German cities, Belgian responsibility for the death of Patrice Lumumba, the West's support for Siad Barre's regime in Somalia and institutional responses to the genocide in Rwanda. Contributors include Jean Paul Sartre, Breyten Breytenbach and Linda Melvern. Index, refs, 424pp, UK. ZED BOOKS, 1842771914

Examines the last half century's cycle of revolution and genocide in Africa and shatters the myth that ancient tribal hatreds are at the heart of the continent's trou-bles. The author apportions responsibility to the 'Big Men' who came to power during this period, describing the very rational methods behind their apparent mad-ness, and insists that what the world often sees as uniquely 'African' inter ethnic troubles are in fact rooted in the international politics of colonialism and the Cold War. B/w illus, bib, index, ix, 309pp, UK. BASIC BOOKS, 0465006426

Essays examine the intersection between religion and state-organised murder in the cases of the Armenian, Jewish, Rwandan and Bosnian genocides. BNS, UK. BERGHAHN BOOKS, 1571813020

A history of negative ethnicity, a concept describing the deep seated tensions between ethnic groups. Examples discussed include Hutu against Tutsi, Gikuyu against Kalenjin, and Serb against Croat. Sources, 207pp, UK. SEVEN STORIES PRESS, 1583225765

Discusses the shifts that have already taken place in terms of the centrality or otherwise of human rights in the UN system. He argues that the UN used to be preoccupied with state rather than human security, and that while recent proposals within the UN are positive, that much remains to be done. As the position of human rights has evolved within the UN so has the understanding of the strong links between the protection of minority rights and the prevention of conflict, mass killing and genocide. The report looks at the protection afforded to minorities facing potential genocide by international law and UN mechanisms, how the understanding of genocide within the UN and international law has changed, and what has been learnt though international tribunals in the former Yugoslavia and Rwanda, and through cases coming to the International Criminal Court. 40pp, UK. Minority Rights Group.

The award winning analysis of American responses to genocide over the twentieth century. Using declassified documents, interviews and private papers, the author looks at the reasons why the USA has systematically failed to prevent mass atrocities against Armenians, Jews, Cambodians, Kurds, Rwandans and Bosnians. Illustrated with b/w photographs. Index, bib, notes, xxi, 620pp, UK. HARPERCOLLINS PUBLISHERS, 0007172990

How can we comprehend the socio-political processes that give rise to extreme violence, ethnic cleansing or genocide? This comparative analysis demonstrates that it is indeed possible to compare the Holocaust, the Rwandan genocide and ethnic cleansing in Bosnia-Hercegovina while respecting the specificities of each. Based on the essential distinction between massacre and genocide, it identifies the main steps of a general process of destruction, rational and irrational, born of what Semelin terms 'delusional rationality', responding to fears, resentments and utopias, and remodelling the social body by eliminating 'the enemy'. Index, notes, bib, apps, 443pp, UK. C. HURST & CO.

An attempt to understand and deal with the cross cultural phenomenon of denial. Looks at Governments denials of atrocities and citizens' reluctance to intervene in situations of Genocide. The first chapters examine the psychology of denial and the slim line between victim and perpetrator. The later chapter deal with the culture of denial States' attempts to come to terms with the past. Index, notes, xvi, 344pp, UK. POLITY PRESS, 0745623921

A comprehensive introduction to study of war and genocide, analysing the links between the two forms of aggression and their consequences in times of peace. Summarises the main instances of mass slaughter in modern times including Nazi Germany, Cambodia, and Rwanda. Includes guides to further reading. Index, xii, 257pp, UK. POLITY PRESS, 074561907X

A discussion of the manifestations of genocide in the world today. The author looks in particular at the history of Germany, Australia and South Africa and whether their political actions towards the people of their countries constitute genocide. Index, bib, notes, xviii, 222pp, UK. VERSO, 1859845509