Hot Topics: Genocide

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 effort to keep such a tragedy from happening again, the United nations created a specific definition of the term and strictly forbade it. Sadly, it's 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? The book explains the term, gives several examples of it happening, and looks for reasons why it happens and how it can be prevented.
Hot Topics is a sophisticated but accessible series for teens that tackles many of the issue of the day by taking an in-depth look at the issue, what it means to the people involved and society as a whole, and the various arguments and controversies on how to best deal with the issue.