Book Review #19: "The Crime of All Crimes"

Hey Everyone,

      I am going to review the book "The Crime of All Crimes: Toward a Criminology of Genocide," by Nicole Rafter.  I want to say first and foremost I am deeply saddened to hear about the very recent death of Nicole Rafter, on February 29, 2016. It saddens me that such a talented author and scholar particularly in the field of criminology will not be able to see the release of her newest book, "The Crime of All Crimes" released today March 29, 2016. To purchase a copy of this book hot off the press CLICK HERE. 

     I chose this book to read mainly because of the subject, genocide has been on my mind recently. I have always been interested by the Holocaust not only interested but it was something that shook my inner core. I have read quite a few books on it. I also have read quite a few books on the Rwandan genocide in the 1990's. I am always heartbroken and confused on why genocides continue to happen and why we allow them to happen? Because for most of us, we usually take a back seat and watch it happen from the safety of our homes. Or we live our lives in ignorance and denial, living without knowing that these atrocities are happening to our neighbors. I had the same questions as the author did. How can people do this?

     Overall, I would rate this book 3.5 stars out of 5. It was an extremely in depth, detailed investigation on the criminology of eight genocides. It compared and contrasted these genocides in attempt to answer questions such as: how do genocides happen? This book was extremely interesting and informative. It was presented in well organized scientific profiles of eight genocides. This book did a very good job at presenting the information at hand, including backing everything up with facts and statistics. 

     Being very well organized usually is a good thing, but sometimes such as in this book it didn't work out so well. I found it too organized, too repetitive. Because of the repetitiveness of the book there was some unnecessary information, and the book could have been shortened in length. The repetitiveness I felt took away from the integrity of the book.

     It was still a good read, I do not regret reading it because this book definitely has value. This book would be good for people who have an interest in genocides and would like to learn more. People who have an interest in criminology, sociology, and psychology would like this book as well. This book discusses an important topic that does need to be read and discussed. 

     I would like to thank Netgalley,  Nicole Hahn Rafter (the author), and NYU Press (the publisher) for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review. 

Until the next page,

Jill