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Death of a Traveller

A Counter Investigation
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( 48 ratings, 5 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
In Death of a Traveller, Didier Fassin explores the complexities surrounding the encounter between a traveller community and the authorities following a death in custody. The book delves into themes of social justice, inequality, and the intricacies of power dynamics, as it seeks to understand the social context and implications of such incidents within contemporary society.
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This book may appeal to you if you are intrigued by the intersection of sociology, anthropology, and justice. It offers a thought-provoking examination of police practices and societal prejudices, making it a compelling read for those interested in understanding the complexities of law enforcement and its impact on marginalised communities.

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"A leading anthropologist shows how the police and the justice system work against marginalized communities"--

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

It is a simple story. A 37-year-old man belonging to the Traveller community is shot dead by a special unit of the French police on the family farm where he was hiding since he failed to return to prison after temporary release. The officers claim self-defence. The relatives, present at the scene, contest that claim. A case is opened, and it concludes with a dismissal that is upheld on appeal. Dismayed by these decisions, the family continues the struggle for truth and justice.

Giving each account of the event the same credit, Didier Fassin conducts a counter-investigation, based on the re-examination of all the available details and on the interviews of its protagonists. A critical reflection on the work of police forces, the functioning of the justice system, and the conditions that make such tragedies possible and seldom punished, Death of a Traveller is also an attempt to restore to these marginalized communities what they are usually denied: respectability.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Death of a Traveller by Didier Fassin is lauded for its in-depth examination of police violence within its socioeconomic context. Critics highlight Fassin's skilful blend of sociology and anthropology to address justice both legally and humanely. The book is recognised as a profound critique of the institutional systems that allow such injustices and offers a compelling analysis of the wider societal implications of police-related deaths.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781509547418

Publisher: John Wiley and Sons Ltd

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 14 May 2021

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Polity Press

Audience: Professional and scholarly

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 13.0mm

Width: 137.0mm

Height: 213.0mm

Weight: 227g

Pages: 160

About the Author

Didier FassinΒ is the James D. Wolfensohn Professor at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton and a Director of Studies at the Γ‰cole des hautes Γ©tudes en sciences sociales in Paris.

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