Philip Dwyer and Lyndall Ryan, Theaters of Violence: Massacre, Mass Killing, and Atrocity through History (Berghan Books, 2012)
We spend a lot of time arguing about the meaning and implications of words in the field of genocide studies. Buckets of ink have been spilled defining and debating words like genocide, intent, \u2018in part,\u2019 and crimes against humanity.\n\nPhilip Dwyer and Lyndall Ryan are certainly invested in the process of careful definitions and descriptions. \xa0Theaters of Violence: Massacre, Mass Killing, and Atrocity through History (Berghahn Books, 2012)and the\xa0special issue of the Journal of Genocide Research that form the basis of our discussion are both a plea for and a move toward a thorough, theoretically sound understanding of the concept of a massacre. \xa0In doing so, they offer a thoughtful commentary on the notion of genocide and its relationship to massacres and atrocities.\n\nBut these volumes are more than a theoretical engagement with a concept. \xa0They are a rich exploration of the nature of mass killing, as the subtitle puts it, throughout history. \xa0The essays here range from individual case studies to attempts to discover patterns and consistencies from the fractal landscape of violence that has typified human existence. \xa0They offer readers a chance to come to grips with the disturbing reality that human beings have always been willing to destroy other humans at exactly the moment when they are most vulnerable.\n\nA brief note for those listeners unfamiliar with the Journal of Genocide Research. \xa0The journal is one of the leading venues for researchers from a variety of academic disciplines to report on their research about genocide and related topics. \xa0It offers scholars from across the world a chance to propose new ideas, publicize new discoveries, and launch new conversations about important books or developments in the field. \xa0As such, it is a must read for those interested in new research on genocide studies.\n\nThis podcast begins an attempt to expand our coverage slightly beyond the \u2018new book\u2019 format of the channel. \xa0Most interviews will remain focused on new books published in the field. \xa0But the Journal publishes special issues periodically that function much like books in their focus on specific issues or events. \xa0So the podcast will occasionally feature the editors of these special issues. I hope you\u2019ll find these interviews as interesting and as important as you do those with books you can get at the library.\n\n\xa0\nLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices\nSupport our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/genocide-studies