Harry Potter and Genocide: An Introduction to Genocide Studies Through the World of Harry Potter

Bachman’s book offers educators and scholars interested in literature and human rights a model for harnessing the power of popular culture to introduce a new generation to contemporary geopolitical conflicts and human rights discourses. He skillfully delineates the nuances required for a solid foundation in genocide studies while drawing on well-known examples from the Harry Potter series to explain complexities and concepts. His work intentionally bridges the divide between fantasy and reality.

• Sarah Minslow, Associate Professor of Children’s and Young Adult Literature, California State University, Los Angeles

This book is a go-to source for educators, including those in late-primary education, secondary education, and undergraduate higher education, interested in teaching genocide studies. The author makes the subject more accessible for students, as well as for educators who do not have a background in this subarea. Each chapter includes discussion questions, research prompts, and suggestions for further reading. The book will also appeal to fans of the Harry Potter series.

Jeffrey S. Bachman is Cohen Endowed Chair in Holocaust and Genocide Studies at Keene State College. He is also Co-Editor-in-Chief of Genocide Studies and Prevention: An International Journal. He is the author of two other books, The Politics of Genocide: From the Genocide Convention to the Responsibility to Protect (2022) and The United States and Genocide: (Re)Defining the Relationship (2017). He is also the editor or co-editor of four volumes: The Routledge Handbook of Genocide Studies (2026), A Modern History of Forgotten Genocides and Mass Atrocities (2024), Genocide Studies: Pathways Ahead (2024), and Cultural Genocide: Law, Politics, and Global Manifestations (2019).

Jeffrey S. Bachman is Cohen Endowed Chair in Holocaust and Genocide Studies at Keene State College. He is also Co-Editor-in-Chief of Genocide Studies and Prevention: An International Journal. He is the author of two other books, The Politics of Genocide: From the Genocide Convention to the Responsibility to Protect (2022) and The United States and Genocide: (Re)Defining the Relationship (2017). He is also the editor or co-editor of four volumes: The Routledge Handbook of Genocide Studies (2026), A Modern History of Forgotten Genocides and Mass Atrocities (2024), Genocide Studies: Pathways Ahead (2024), and Cultural Genocide: Law, Politics, and Global Manifestations (2019).