Trauma and the Memory of Politics

by Jenny Edkins

Jenny Edkins explores how we remember traumatic events such as wars, famines, genocides and terrorism. She argues that remembrance does not have to be nationalistic but can instead challenge the political systems that produced the violence. Using examples from the World Wars, Vietnam, the Holocaust, Kosovo and September 11th, Edkins analyzes the practices of memory rituals through memorials, museums and remembrance ceremonies. This wide-ranging study embraces literature, history, politics and international relations, in an original contribution to the study of memory.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, School, Politics

284 pages, Paperback

First published July 31, 2003

Reviews

[Charles · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was VERY dense - unnecessarily so, in my opinion.

[Lorraine · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought that this was ok. It did a lot of what was in my view, summarising -- especially of Lacan, Agamben and Felman. I happen to have read all 3, so it was a little 'when will she end this summary' when she was going through those. But there ARE good ideas here and they are fairly interesting. Her mind is organised and perceptive and she writes clearly and concisely. All in all quite enjoyable. I think that one would benefit more if one hadn't already read some stuff in 'trauma studies'

[s.m. k. · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this in grad school and remember being disappointed. I need to go back and look at it again to be able to provide a good review. I do remember that a fellow grad student put her finger on why I was disappointed when she noted that the book promises a poststructuralist 'reading' of certain rituals of memory but fails to deliver. She was right.

For anything more specific, I will need a reacquaintance with the book.