Civilizing Torture: An American Tradition by Brundage, W. Fitzhugh

Civilizing Torture: An American Tradition

Finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in HistoryMost Americans believe that a civilized state does not resort to...
$82.32 SGD
$82.32 SGD
SKU: 9780674737662
Product Type: Books
Please hurry! Only 0 left in stock
Author: W. Fitzhugh Brundage
Format: Hardcover
Language: English
Subtotal: $82.32
10 customers are viewing this product
Civilizing Torture: An American Tradition by Brundage, W. Fitzhugh

Civilizing Torture: An American Tradition

$82.32

Civilizing Torture: An American Tradition

$82.32
Author: W. Fitzhugh Brundage
Format: Hardcover
Language: English

Finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in History

Most Americans believe that a civilized state does not resort to torture, and yet, as W. Fitzhugh Brundage reveals in this essential and disturbing study, there is a long American tradition of excusing as well as decrying its use.

The pilgrims and merchants who first came to America from Europe professed an intention to create a society free of the barbarism of Old World tyranny and New World savagery. But over the centuries Americans have turned to torture during moments of crisis at home and abroad and have debated its legitimacy in defense of law and order.

From the Indian wars to Civil War POW prisons and early penitentiaries, from "the third degree" in police stations and racial lynchings to the War on Terror, U.S. institutions have proven to be far more amenable to torture than the nation's professed commitment to liberty would suggest. Legal and racial inequality fostered many opportunities for state agents to wield excessive power, which they justified as essential for American safety and well-being.

Reconciling state violence with the aspirations of Americans for social and political justice is an enduring challenge. By tracing the historical debates about the efficacy of torture and the attempt to adapt it to democratic values, Civilizing Torture reveals the recurring struggle to decide what limits Americans are willing to impose on the power of the state. At a time of escalating rhetoric aimed at cleansing the nation of the undeserving, as well as ongoing military involvement in conflicts around the world, the debate over torture remains a critical and unresolved part of America's tradition.



Author: W. Fitzhugh Brundage
Publisher: Belknap Press
Published: 11/12/2018
Pages: 416
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 1.70lbs
Size: 9.50h x 6.30w x 1.20d
ISBN: 9780674737662


Award: Pulitzer Prize - Finalist


Review Citation(s):
Library Journal 11/15/2018 pg. 86
Choice 10/01/2019

About the Author
Brundage, W. Fitzhugh: - W. Fitzhugh Brundage is William B. Umstead Professor of History at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He received a Guggenheim Fellowship for his present work on torture in American history. Brundage has written extensively on racial inequality and violence, from segregation to lynching.

This title is only available via back order

Returns Policy

You may return most new, unopened items within 30 days of delivery for a full refund. We'll also pay the return shipping costs if the return is a result of our error (you received an incorrect or defective item, etc.).

You should expect to receive your refund within four weeks of giving your package to the return shipper, however, in many cases you will receive a refund more quickly. This time period includes the transit time for us to receive your return from the shipper (5 to 10 business days), the time it takes us to process your return once we receive it (3 to 5 business days), and the time it takes your bank to process our refund request (5 to 10 business days).

If you need to return an item, simply login to your account, view the order using the "Complete Orders" link under the My Account menu and click the Return Item(s) button. We'll notify you via e-mail of your refund once we've received and processed the returned item.

Shipping

We can ship to virtually any address in the world. Note that there are restrictions on some products, and some products cannot be shipped to international destinations.

When you place an order, we will estimate shipping and delivery dates for you based on the availability of your items and the shipping options you choose. Depending on the shipping provider you choose, shipping date estimates may appear on the shipping quotes page.

Please also note that the shipping rates for many items we sell are weight-based. The weight of any such item can be found on its detail page. To reflect the policies of the shipping companies we use, all weights will be rounded up to the next full pound.

Related Products

Recently Viewed Products