Rwanda and Genocide in the Twentieth Century (Hardcover)

by Alain Destexhe (Author), Alison Marschner (Translator), William Shawcross (Foreword)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
In this important primer, Destexhe, secretary-general of the humanitarian group Doctors Without Borders, assails world complacency about the tragedy in Rwanda. The term ``genocide'' has been inflated by reckless use, he states, arguing strongly that the targeted massacres of Tutsis by Hutus in Rwanda qualifies--along with the plannned exterminations of Armenians and of European Jews--as genocide. He then describes how colonial policies set Hutu against Tutsi, and states that the two peoples ``cannot really even be described as `ethnic groups' for they both speak the same language and respect the same traditions and taboos." He also recounts how Hutu leaders, in response to economic straits and calls for democratic reforms, scapegoated their rivals. He scores Western governments for providing only nominally ``humanitarian'' support while refusing to intervene to halt massacres, estimating that 500,000 Tutsis, or half the total Tutsi population, were killed. He calls for international tribunals to seek justice and suggests that, in the future, humanitarian groups should more aggressively try to force states to act.

Copyright 1995 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal
Destexhe is secretary-general of Doctors Without Borders (Medecins Sans Frontieres), the French-based humanitarian and human rights organization. Having been close to many of the human crises and disasters of recent decades, he uses that special perspective to show how the 1994 Rwandan massacres were a premeditated effort by Hutu extremists to rid the country of people of Tutsi ethnicity. Genocide in Rwanda was similar in intent to that of Turks against Armenians and Nazis against European Jews and Gypsies. The book charges the international community with failing to identify the crimes in Rwanda as genocide and to bring the perpetrators to justice. Destexhe's powerful call for political and moral justice was highly acclaimed when published in France. It deserves similar attention in the United States. Highly recommended. [Gerard Prunier's The Rwanda Crisis: History of a Genocide is coming from Columbia University Press in November.?Ed.]?Bill Rau, Takoma Park, Md.
-?Bill Rau, Takoma Park, Md.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 92 pages
• Publisher: New York University Press (October 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0814718736
• ISBN-13: 978-0814718735
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #978,225 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in this category: (What's this?)

  #93 in

  Books > History > Africa > Rwanda

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Immensely Important Work, December 18, 2004

By	May Tulin "(Do not have a credit card - there... (MA, USA) - See all my reviews

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.

6 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Required Reading, September 3, 1998

By A Customer

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.

0 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Thought provoking, but..., August 30, 2001

By A Customer

Not bad, but a bit dry. I had some definate arguments with Dr Destexhe's contentions about the Balkan conflict, but those are best aired elsewhere. All in all though a worthwhile read for those in the International Security/Stability business (intelligence,politics, and the like)....