New Books in History

Adam Jones, "Sites of Genocide" (Routledge, 2022)

Nov 23, 2025
In this engaging conversation, Adam Jones, a Professor of Political Science at the University of British Columbia and a prominent scholar in genocide studies, dives into his book, Sites of Genocide. He discusses the ethical complexities of representing victims through photography and the marginalized narratives of genocides, particularly in Turkey and Central Africa. Jones sheds light on the evolving focus on male victims of gender-based violence and reflects on the importance of historical processes in understanding genocide. He also shares his advice for graduate students and mentions key texts advancing the field.
Ask episode
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
ANECDOTE

Photographing Murambi's Open Display

  • Adam Jones describes his solo visit to Murambi where he photographed desiccated bodies on open display.
  • He used the camera partly as an emotional shield while navigating rooms of victims and ethical dilemmas about photographing them.
ANECDOTE

Sites Make Histories Tangible

  • Jones contrasts Murambi's visceral sensory impact with mostly reconstructed memorials like the ruined city of Van in eastern Turkey.
  • He emphasizes visiting physical sites to 'actualize' events that archival work alone can't fully convey.
INSIGHT

Anchoring Cases Shape Genocide Study

  • Jones argues certain genocides function as anchoring cases that shape scholarship and public attention.
  • Anchoring cases (e.g., Holocaust, Rwanda) help contextualize and reveal related regional and historical violence.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Get the app