Rwanda and Genocide in the Twentieth Century

by Alain Destexhe

Book Overview

An unflinching look at the events in Rwanda and the nature of genocide

The horrific slaughter in Rwanda has once again driven home the deeply rooted existence and continuing presence of genocidal impulses. In this passionately argued volume-first published to great acclaim in France and considerably updated during the translation process-a deeply involved witness of the massacres takes an unflinching look at recent events in Rwanda...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0814718736
• ISBN13: 9780814718735
• Release Date: October 1995
• Publisher: New York University Press
• Length: 92 Pages
• Weight: 0.57 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.6" x 8.8"

Customer Reviews

Immensely Important Work

This is an immensely important piece of work. In a subject such as genocide, which is one of the most controversial, disturbing, and hardest to understand areas of (in)human behavior, we cannot afford to trivialize analysis as "dry" or "a good read." Understanding genocide and all dehumanizing behavior takes work and all work on it is inevitably slightly skewed.* Destexhe's work, however, is a fantastic piece with the best-researched history and historical analysis, does not mince words, and asserts the importance of and furthers understanding of humanity. I read this several years ago before I started courses in genocide and still find it invaluable. Pieces like this are rare gems. *As I interpret Primo Levi to have said in "The Saved and the Drowned." Please correct me if you disagree.

Required Reading

While it is possible to list dozens of examples of crimes against humanity, there are only three that meet the strict definition of "Genocide," according to Mr. Destexhe, Secretary General of Doctors Without Borders. The systematic elimination of Tutsis by the Hutus in Rwanda in 1994 is one such instance. This concise treatise should be required reading for all human rights activists.