* Gathers key anthropological and interdisciplinary writings on genocide together for the first time and explores attempts to define genocide. * Traces the history of genocide in the 20th century with discussion of the Holocaust, and examples from Bosnia, Cambodia, Africa, and Latin America.

During the 20th century tens of millions of people were annihilated by genocidal regimes. As we enter the 21st century, we must look back and attempt to comprehend what has been aptly termed the "century of genocide." It is only through such understanding that we can begin to imagine ways of preventing or minimizing future atrocities.

Genocide: An Anthropological Reader lays the foundation for a ground-breaking "anthropology of genocide" by gathering together for the first time the seminal texts for learning about and understanding this phenomenon. While scholars in other fields have conducted excellent analyses of the macrolevel factors facilitating genocide, few have been able to approach genocide from the local perspective. By filling this important niche-pulling together key anthropological and interdisciplinary sources on genocide - Genocide: An Anthropological Reader stands both to make an important contribution to our understanding of genocide and to serve as a valuable resource for readers across a wide variety of fields.

Genocide: An Anthropological Reader helps to lay a foundation for a ground-breaking "anthropology of genocide" by gathering together for the first time the seminal texts for learning about and understanding this phenomenon.