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Becoming Evil: How Ordinary People Commit Genocide and Mass Killing First Edition
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Waller debunks the common explanations for genocide- group think, psychopathology, unique cultures- and offers a more sophisticated and comprehensive psychological view of how anyone can potentially participate in heinous crimes against humanity. He outlines the evolutionary forces that shape human nature, the individual dispositions that are more likely to engage in acts of evil, and the context of cruelty in which these extraordinary acts can emerge. Illustrative eyewitness accounts are presented at the end of each chapter. An important new look at how evil develops, Becoming Evil will help us understand such tragedies as the Holocaust and recent terrorist events. Waller argues that by becoming more aware of the things that lead to extraordinary evil, we will be less likely to be surprised by it and less likely to be unwitting accomplices through our passivity.
- ISBN-100195148681
- ISBN-13978-0195148688
- EditionFirst Edition
- PublisherOxford University Press
- Publication dateJune 27, 2002
- LanguageEnglish
- Dimensions9.2 x 1.1 x 6 inches
- Print length336 pages
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Editorial Reviews
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Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
From Library Journal
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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Book Description
About the Author
Product details
- Publisher : Oxford University Press; First Edition (June 27, 2002)
- Language : English
- Hardcover : 336 pages
- ISBN-10 : 0195148681
- ISBN-13 : 978-0195148688
- Lexile measure : 1380L
- Item Weight : 1.54 pounds
- Dimensions : 9.2 x 1.1 x 6 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #1,865,582 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #3,013 in Medical Social Psychology & Interactions
- #3,977 in Popular Social Psychology & Interactions
- #6,580 in Discrimination & Racism
- Customer Reviews:
About the author

Dr. James Waller is the inaugural Christopher J. Dodd Chair in Human Rights Practice and Director of the Dodd Human Rights Impact Programs for the Human Rights Institute at the University of Connecticut. In addition, he is a Visiting Scholar at the Senator George J. Mitchell Institute for Global Peace, Security and Justice, Queen’s University Belfast and serves as Director of Academic Programs for the Auschwitz Institute for the Prevention of Genocide and Mass Atrocities, an international NGO devoted to atrocity prevention.
He is the author of six books, most notably his award-winning "Becoming Evil: How Ordinary People Commit Genocide and Mass Killing" (Oxford University Press, 2nd ed., 2007), "Confronting Evil: Engaging Our Responsibility to Prevent Genocide" (Oxford University Press, 2016), and "A Troubled Sleep: Risk and Resilience in Contemporary Northern Ireland" (Oxford University Press, 2021). In 2017, Waller was the inaugural recipient of the Engaged Scholarship Prize from the International Association of Genocide Scholars in recognition of his exemplary engagement in advancing genocide awareness and prevention. Waller has written for The Washington Post, The Irish News, and The Conversation and is frequently interviewed by broadcast and print media, including PBS, CNN, CBC, the Los Angeles Times, Salon, National Geographic, and The New York Times.
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A Greek philosopher once remarked, "The unexamined life is not worth living." This book requires self-examination. It is not an easy read, but rather a text for those who don't mind leaning over the abyss and gazing into Dante's Inferno, knowing beforehand that, at times, you will be staring right into a mirror. It should be required reading in ethics classes and all programs in evolutionary psychology.
Although I generally agree with the author's belief that ordinary people can commit evil, I did take issue with some of the methodology/tests he used. For instance, he used the anaylsis of the Rorschach test used on the Nazi... even though that test is inherently faulty. Still, he did back it up with more concrete and intriguing evidence. His model was well researched and he backed up his outline with different accounts.
Another positive aspect of the book, is that it alerts you about how many acts of genocide and crimes against humanity go unpunished or even unacknowledged by the perpetrators and the world. Its very disappointing and frustrating as is the author's note that the situation is not getting better and evil will never be fully stopped. All in all, its a great book and its very sobering and sad. I think everyone should read it.
It's a flawless book. It brings together history and psychology in a language that is very relevant and easy to read on an very important subject. I'd recommend this to anyone without a hesitation. Not just educating, but also enjoyable.
Evil. You will never read another book like this one, never.
Top reviews from other countries
James Waller, a psychologist from Washington, has made an profound contribution to this quest. He closely analyses the evidence of personality profiles and behaviours of the perpetrators of such atrocities, and makes startling discoveries.
Their personalities are within the normal range. Perhaps some slight skews [towards being overconfident, authoritative, somewhat stressed, not the most socially skilled, easily led], but nothing out of the ordinary.
It seems that extraordinary evil is most often perpetrated by unremarkable men and women. Given the appropriate toxic blend of propoganda, moral rationalisation, cultural beliefs, manipulation,and peer pressure, seemingly any one of us could become a killer.
Our deepseated `ingroup/outgroup' responses, susceptibility to authority, and a capacity for desensitisation and denial, can be mobilised to appalling effect.
The book is a powerful plea for humility. It ends with the hope that from acquiring greater understanding of the causes of genocidal behaviour, might be developed some ways of diminishing its terrifying reach.
The five stars reflect the author's work, not the Kindle implementation.

