Objects of Atrocity: Material Culture and the Challenges of Difficult Histories
Objects of Atrocity: Material Culture and the Challenges of Difficult Histories is an interdisciplinary collection on how material objects can help preserve the histories and dignity of people affected by mass atrocities. Its focus spans the care and display of objects and histories from the Holocaust, genocides, incarceration, and crimes against several communities.
At a glance
- Examines collecting, conserving, storing, and displaying objects in the aftermath of mass atrocities.
- Covers difficult histories including the Holocaust, genocides in several countries, Japanese American incarceration, and crimes against Native American, African American, Roma, and Sinti communities.
- Brings together perspectives from academic and practitioner contributors across disciplines.
Reference price: $54.99
Price checked: Nov 14, 2026
View offerAhead of Black FridayExplore the selectionPros and cons
Pros
- Addresses both material objects and the practical questions museums and others face in caring for and displaying them.
- The collection spans multiple historical contexts and communities rather than focusing on a single atrocity.
Technical specifications
8 specifications| Publisher | Purdue University Press |
|---|---|
| Publication date | June 15, 2026 |
| Language | English |
| Print length | 362 pages |
| ISBN-10 | 1626712328 |
| ISBN-13 | 978-1626712324 |
| Dimensions | 7 x 2 x 10 inches |
|---|---|
| Weight listed | 1.07 pounds |
Who is it for?
A good fit for
- Readers researching material culture, museum studies, and the preservation of difficult histories.
- Museum and heritage practitioners interested in the care and display of objects connected to mass atrocities.
- Academic readers seeking cross-disciplinary perspectives on historical memory and material evidence.
Less suited to
- Readers looking for a general overview of history without a focus on objects, collections, and their interpretation.
Frequently asked questions
What is this book about?
It explores how objects left behind after mass atrocities can be collected, conserved, stored, and displayed in ways that help restore attention to the people and communities connected to them.
Which histories does the collection address?
The listing names the Holocaust, genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, former Yugoslavia, Iraq, and Kurdistan, Japanese American incarceration, and crimes against Native Americans, African Americans, Roma, and Sinti people.
Who may find it useful?
Its focus on material culture and collection practices may suit museum and heritage practitioners, researchers, and readers studying difficult histories.
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