Raphael Lemkin and the Struggle for the Genocide Convention - by J Cooper (Hardcover)

About the Book

This book is the first complete biography of Raphael Lemkin, the father of the United Nations Genocide Convention.

Book Synopsis

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.

Review Quotes

"The strength of Cooper's book is its detail on Lemkin's role in fostering an international treaty on genocide. Cooper makes good use of British Foreign Office material and of Lemkin's autobiographical writings. He juxtaposes material from official proceedings and Lemkin's own to illustrate the backstory, giving us a vivid picture of the scope and importance of Lemkin's contributions. ... Cooper's book gives a reader insight into the intellectual and political work that brought these mechanisms into being." (John B. Quigley, Holocaust and Genocide Studies, Vol. 31 (5), 2017)

About the Author

JOHN COOPER studied History at Balliol College, Oxford, UK, and was in private legal practice until his retirement. His publications include Eat and be Satisfied: a Social History of Jewish Food and Pride Versus Prejudice: Jewish Doctors and Lawyers in England, 1890-1990.