Cover of the book East West Street
Bestseller book
Critically acclaimed
Buy on Amazon

Already read? Rate it!

East West Street

byPhilippe Sands

Who is this book for? Readers interested in legal history, personal memoirs, and the impact of World War II on modern law.

Topics SurvivalJusticeMemory and the Past
MoodReflective, Melancholic
ViolenceModerate
Waterstones Non-fiction Book of the Month for April (2017) Winner of the Baillie Gifford Prize for Non-Fiction 2016 I encountered a city of mythologies, a place of deep intellectual traditions where cultures and religions and languages clashed among the groups that lived together in the great mansion that was the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The First World War collapsed the mansion, destroying an empire and unleashing forces that caused scores to be settled and much blood to be spilled. In what Daniel Finkelstein in The Times described as ‘a work of great brilliance… everything that happens is inevitable and yet comes as a surprise… in places I gasped, in places I wept,’ East West Street is both a history of atrocity and a relentless, brilliantly-pitched search for the truth. By seeking out the decimated past of his own family, Sands unearths the then-controversial origins of international human rights itself. An invitation to deliver a lecture in the western Ukrainian city of Lviv sets international human rights lawyer Philippe Sands on a profound quest that will both unearth the origins of international law and fill the terrible gaps in his own family’s decimated history. In the process, he both wrestles with the outcome of the laws created at the time and delineates the death machine built to destroy an entire people. Sands exhumes layer after layer of hidden detail, revealing the extraordinary story of two Nuremberg prosecutors who ultimately realise the man they are prosecuting may have been responsible for the murder of their entire families in Nazi-occupied Poland, in and around Lviv. These two remarkable men - Hersch Lauterpacht and Rafael Lemkin – sit at the heart of Sands’ exploration, whilst their quarry , Hitler’s personal lawyer Hans Frank, proves himself an equally compelling character. It is through Lauterpacht and Lemkin that the words 'crimes against humanity' and 'genocide' – at the time controversial notions – became part of both the judgement at Nuremberg and our lexicon of hate. The deeper Sands digs, he finally traces the grim events that overcame his own family during the Second World War. A Professor of law at University College London, Philippe Sands QC has written widely on the subject of international law as well as participating in major legal cases with global implications, including taking part in the 1992 Climate Change Convention and legal cases concerning the Belmarsh and Guantánamo detainees.

Language

en

Published on

31/03/2017

Pages

384

Format

Paperback

ISBN

9781474601917

Price Comparison

Books similar to East West Street

If you enjoyed readingEast West Street by Philippe Sands, you may also like some of the following books.


Memoirs

Experience personal stories through memoirs that offer intimate glimpses into the lives of individuals. These books provide firsthand accounts of experiences, thoughts, and emotions.

Show all

Creative Nonfiction

Creative Nonfiction blends factual reporting with literary storytelling to create engaging narratives. This subgenre is ideal for readers who appreciate the artistry of writing paired with real-world experiences. Expect captivating stories that are as informative as they are entertaining.

Show all

Award Winning Literature

Step into the world of **Award Winning Literature books**, where every page resonates with excellence and acclaim. These books have not only captured the hearts of readers but have also been recognized by prestigious literary awards.

Show all

Nonfiction

Uncover the world of nonfiction books that illuminate truths, challenge perceptions, and expand your understanding of reality. From gripping investigative journalism to insightful creative nonfiction, these works delve into the intricacies of our world, offering compelling narratives and factual depth.

Show all

History

Delve into the captivating world of history books that bring the past to life. From ancient civilizations to modern events, these narratives offer insights and lessons from bygone eras.

Show all