Bite Back. "Crimes Against Humanity: The Struggle for Global Justice (Second Edition)" by Geoffrey Robertson. [review]

Abstract

Geoffrey Robertson's new edition of his magisterial "Crimes Against Humanity" demonstrates exactly why popular culture in the murderous twentieth century opted for a "Seven Samurai" (or "Magnificent Seven") version of retribution for crimes inflicted on peoples. It was so much more exciting - and cathartic - to watch a charismatic band of ad hoc avengers wreak rough justice than to wait upon the grinding-small processes of the law. But it is the compensating virtue of Robertson's book that it makes the convincing case for those legal processes. If you believe that knowledge, even terrible knowledge, is preferable to reactive ignorance, then "Crimes Against Humanity" is essential reading. The pity is that we may need a third edition sooner than any of us could want.