Brief Description
Includes new preface and its bibliographical references.
Learn More about the Book
This book is the first complete biography of Raphael Lemkin, the father of the United Nations Genocide Convention, based on his papers; and shows how his campaign for an international treaty succeeded. In addition, the book covers Lemkin's inauguration of the historical study of past genocides.
About the Book
Now published for the first time in paperback, this is the first comprehensive biography of Raphael Lemkin (1900-59), the man who invented the word genocide and campaigned relentlessly for the United Nations Genocide Convention. Utilising Lemkin's own papers as well as other sources, it contextualises his career, showing how his ideas were formed in the midst of ethnic strife in Eastern Europe and as a member of the international law circuit. The book focuses on the campaign for a convention orchestrated by Lemkin, dealing both with its supporters and enemies, particularly the British government. While Lemkin drew attention to the need to preserve diverse cultures, both in his campaigning and his historical writing, the Western powers amended the convention, so that it became an instrument solely for preventing physical genocide. The book also covers Lemkin's historical research on genocide, presenting a number of studies, particularly of colonial genocide.
Review Quotes
1. 'A pioneering and important work. A point of first reference for anyone who seeks an understanding of Lemkin's life, ideas and legacy.' - Philippe Sands QC, University College London, UK. 'This is a fine study of a remarkable man, one of the great moral figures of the twentieth century. John Cooper provides a vivid and compelling account of Raphael Lemkin's heroic struggle to get the world to understand and respond to the gravity of genocide, the "crime of crimes."' - Professor Philip Spencer, Kingston University, UK. 'Raphael Lemkin, one of the towering forces of our time, deserves to sit alongside the greatest advocates for humanity. John Cooper's study of the man who ensured the crime of genocide is on the global statute book details what one man can do with insight, conviction and determination. This study is a must-read if you want to know how to be an effective change maker.' - Stephen D Smith, Andrew J and Erna Finci Viterbi Chair, USC Shoah Foundation, USA and UNESCO Chair on Genocide Education
2.
'A pioneering and important work. A point of first reference for anyone who seeks an understanding of Lemkin's life, ideas and legacy.' - Philippe Sands QC, University College London, UK.
'This is a fine study of a remarkable man, one of the great moral figures of the twentieth century. John Cooper provides a vivid and compelling account of Raphael Lemkin's heroic struggle to get the world to understand and respond to the gravity of genocide, the "crime of crimes."' - Professor Philip Spencer, Kingston University, UK.
'Raphael Lemkin, one of the towering forces of our time, deserves to sit alongside the greatest advocates for humanity. John Cooper's study of the man who ensured the crime of genocide is on the global statute book details what one man can do with insight, conviction and determination. This study is a must-read if you want to know how to be an effective change maker.' - Stephen D Smith, Andrew J and Erna Finci Viterbi Chair, USC Shoah Foundation, USA and UNESCO Chair on Genocide Education
3.
'A pioneering and important work. A point of first reference for anyone who seeks an understanding of Lemkin's life, ideas and legacy.' - Philippe Sands QC, University College London, UK.
'This is a fine study of a remarkable man, one of the great moral figures of the twentieth century. John Cooper provides a vivid and compelling account of Raphael Lemkin's heroic struggle to get the world to understand and respond to the gravity of genocide, the "crime of crimes."' - Professor Philip Spencer, Kingston University, UK.
'Raphael Lemkin, one of the towering forces of our time, deserves to sit alongside the greatest advocates for humanity. John Cooper's study of the man who ensured the crime of genocide is on the global statute book details what one man can do with insight, conviction and determination. This study is a must-read if you want to know how to be an effective change maker.' - Stephen D Smith, Andrew J and Erna Finci Viterbi Chair, USC Shoah Foundation, USA and UNESCO Chair on Genocide Education
