Coverart for item
The Resource Civilizing torture : an American tradition, W. Fitzhugh Brundage

Civilizing torture : an American tradition, W. Fitzhugh Brundage

Label
Civilizing torture : an American tradition
Title
Civilizing torture
Title remainder
an American tradition
Statement of responsibility
W. Fitzhugh Brundage
Creator
Author
Subject
Genre
Language
eng
Summary
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, US 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.--
Assigning source
Provided by publisher
Cataloging source
MH/DLC
http://library.link/vocab/creatorDate
1959-
http://library.link/vocab/creatorName
Brundage, W. Fitzhugh
Dewey number
363.25/4
Illustrations
illustrations
Index
index present
LC call number
HV8599.U6
LC item number
B78 2018
Literary form
non fiction
Nature of contents
bibliography
http://library.link/vocab/subjectName
  • Torture
  • Torture
  • Justification (Ethics)
  • Justification (Ethics)
  • Torture
  • Torture
  • United States
  • USA
Label
Civilizing torture : an American tradition, W. Fitzhugh Brundage
Instantiates
Publication
Copyright
Bibliography note
Includes bibliographical references (pages 337-391) and index
Carrier category
volume
Carrier category code
  • nc
Carrier MARC source
rdacarrier
Content category
text
Content type code
  • txt
Content type MARC source
rdacontent
Contents
Introduction. A question of civilization -- The manners of barbarians -- Discipline in a young democracy -- Cruelty and the paradox of slave property -- Torture in the brothers' war -- Imperialist excesses -- Police station trespasses -- Cold War brutality -- The enemy within
Control code
on1028589333
Dimensions
25 cm
Extent
407 pages
Isbn
9780674737662
Lccn
2018017055
Media category
unmediated
Media MARC source
rdamedia
Media type code
  • n
Other control number
40028588529
Other physical details
illustrations
Label
Civilizing torture : an American tradition, W. Fitzhugh Brundage
Publication
Copyright
Bibliography note
Includes bibliographical references (pages 337-391) and index
Carrier category
volume
Carrier category code
  • nc
Carrier MARC source
rdacarrier
Content category
text
Content type code
  • txt
Content type MARC source
rdacontent
Contents
Introduction. A question of civilization -- The manners of barbarians -- Discipline in a young democracy -- Cruelty and the paradox of slave property -- Torture in the brothers' war -- Imperialist excesses -- Police station trespasses -- Cold War brutality -- The enemy within
Control code
on1028589333
Dimensions
25 cm
Extent
407 pages
Isbn
9780674737662
Lccn
2018017055
Media category
unmediated
Media MARC source
rdamedia
Media type code
  • n
Other control number
40028588529
Other physical details
illustrations

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