Author: Mark Friedman

Publisher: Heinemann Library 2012

Pages: 64

Description: Although the attempt to destroy a group of people based on race, nationality, or religion has been happening for centuries, the term "genocide is a fairly recent one. At the end of World War II, the horrors of the Holocaust were fully revealed. In an attempt to keep such a tragedy from happening again, the United Nations created a specific definition of the term and strictly forbids it. Sadly, it has happened several times since and is still happening today. What exactly is genocide? When does a situation go from war to genocide? How is it possible that people have shown, again and again, that they are capable of such cruelty to others? This book explains the term, gives several examples of it happening, and looks for reasons why it happens and how it can be prevented.