The Story of His Life: Philippe Sands’East West Street

Abstract

How often does a book reviewed in the British Yearbook of International Law also get covered in dailies across the world and glossies such as Vanity Fair? How often does one read a book on international legal concepts overnight, and subsequently buy it as a Christmas present for dozens of friends and relatives? How often do books on international legal concepts inspire BBC radio shows, a documentary and a theatre production? Philippe Sands’ East West Street: On the Origins of Genocide and Crimes Against Humanity is an exceptional book, even by Sands’ own standards. Some of his previous books on international law, in particular Lawless World (2006) and Torture Team (2008),...