In human history, tens of millions of people have been exterminated by genocides or annihilated via crimes against humanity. Now at the onset of the twenty-first century, we must look back and attempt to comprehend the scenarios that have led up to these centuries of genocide and social injustice. It is only through such understanding that we might begin to imagine the prevention or minimization of current and future atrocities.

Many authors have written about these serious subjects. Yet, few of them are able to motivate us to action. Elizabeth Hankins is one who does so. In her two books, The Calling and I Learned a New Word Today...Genocide, and in her upcoming ones, Hankins encourages us to live up to the obligations of justice. These obligations, she believes, require solidarity that’s not only local or grounded in a unilateral conception of good. Instead, they oblige us to consider the contexts, needs and plights of humanity at large.

A fair-minded critic to the passivism and scepticism that often surrounds human suffering, Hankins offers calculated alternatives. With a wealth of understanding and fount of practical ideas, her books demonstrate how constructive knowledge and compassion for humanity can - and should - lead to actions that protect the survivals, provide venues for peace and relative security and prevent genocides, crimes against humanity and social injustices.