OTHERS ON

PERPETRATORS OF MASS ATROCITIES – TERRIBLY AND TERRIFYINGLY NORMAL (ROUTLEDGE 2024)

“This is an outstanding book. It classifies high level perpetrators of extreme mass violence, the killing of large numbers of people, such as the Criminal Mastermind, the Careerist, the Fanatic, the True Believer, altogether 14 categories. It gives detailed examples of each type, from varied countries, describing their life histories and actions. The book is highly informative, easy to read, a tremendous contribution to the literature on atrocities.”
Ervin Staub

“Smeuler’s typology of perpetrators of mass atrocities authoritatively deconstructs the criminal pyramid to unfold the role(s) played by each actor in the spiral leading to the Unthinkable. Building a bridge to the courtroom, Smeulers’ typology is key to apprehend individual criminal responsibility. A must-read for international criminal law practitioners.”
Caroline Fournet

“Alette Smeulers has written an amazing book that is a must-read for scholars and policy makers in the field of atrocity crimes and human rights in general. Drawing on her previous work about persons engaged in extreme violence and serious human rights violations, she has now produced an extensive and innovative typology of perpetrators. Each of them contains activities, justifications, personality traits and the social context of specific offenders and their offences. This book hugely increases the readers’ understanding of the who, why and how of the heinous crimes committed, and also provide very valuable options for the repression and prevention of such behaviour.”
Stephan Parmentier

“In this ground-breaking volume, Prof. Smeulers summarizes findings of three decades of research on perpetrators of mass atrocities. On the basis of her extensive database, she developed an original classification of more than a dozen types of perpetrators. Surprisingly, this typology manages to unlock the door to a new and differentiated understanding of evil as specific human weaknesses that allow certain manifestations of violence to occur. In doing so, she offers the international criminal justice system a new instrument to assess levels of responsibility for crimes against humanity, genocide, war crimes and terrorism.”

Alex P. Schmid

‘important contribution to the scholarly literature … impressive and comprehensive scholarly endeavour … Maintaining and insisting on, this complexity is one of the most impressive aspects of this book. It is a brilliant form of show don’t tell rhetoric. Being able to show this complexity in such a pedagogical and easy-to-understand manner requires an acute attention to detail by the author, while also being able to zoom out and see the nuances in a larger frame… Because the book is so well written and pedagogical it will be readily accessible knowledge for non-0academic audience who might not know much they need the expertise and insights that this book provides’

Inger Skjelsbaek in Global responsibility to protect

‘This book represents a pivotal advancement in understanding the complex psychology of mass violence. By developing an innovative typological system, Smeulers moves beyond existing scholarly frameworks, offering a more nuanced and comprehensive analysis of how individuals become perpetrators of extreme violence. …

Sarah Snyder in Journal of Perpetrator Research

‘Beyond its theoretical contributions, the book’s case study format stands out as one of its key strengths, allowing for both depth and accessibility. The book is also meticulously researched, drawing on an impressive range of disciplines … raises a number of thought-provoking questions … incredibly thorough …an essential contribution to the study of mass violence. Through rigorous research and compelling storytelling, the book challenges simplistic narratives and deepens our understanding of how and why people commit atrocities’.

Hollie Nyseth Nzitatira in Genocide studies and prevention.

‘comprehensive typology … impressive work … her typology can inform an enhance transitional justice mechanisms, particularly in the realms of justice, truth-seeking, and reconciliation… Smeulers’ work therefore creates a concrete framework for analysing the collective nature of atrocity in individual pieces and stories that are important for justice, truth, reconciliation and, consequently, for all approaches of TJ. … The approach creates a nuanced framework for understanding the heterogeneity among perpetrators and the possible interactions’

Nandor Knust in Justice in conflict

‘Her passion and fascination for the topic are palpable throughout the book … She has set a new standard on perpetrator research’

Carola Lingaas in Justice in conflict

‘a comprehensive typology … richly detailed examples … opens a broader discussion … deepens the reader’s understanding of how atrocities are rationalized and sustained at both individual and systemic levels … valuable and thought-provoking study … essential reading’

Janne L. Punski-Hoogervorst in Medicine, conflict and survival

‘rigorously documented resource for scholars, students and the public…’

Bart Nauta in Justice in Conflict

‘Smeulers’ work is not just about the past – it is a lens through which we can understand the present’

Mirza  Buljubasic in Justice in conflict

A ‘beautiful and important book’ which should be mandatory reading for all historians … [Alette breaks through the rigid discussions as to whether it is this or that and shows that it is both possible; that all kinds of factors play a role’ I very much hope that the book will be translated in Dutch’.

Bas Kromhout, see Historische BoekenCast as off minute 34:20).