'Agents of Atrocity is an excellent and important book filling a void in contemporary human rights research. By focusing not only on the decision-makers who are at the head of abusive governments, but also on the agents who physically commit those abuses and the relationship between the two, Mitchell enhances our understanding of the dynamics of carnage. This book should be read by all who wish to understand how and why governments commit such horrific crimes, and steps that can be taken to prevent them.' - Steven C. Poe, University of North Texas, USA

'This is an erudite, literate, fascinating volume. Mitchell explains why political leaders sometimes prevent, sometimes ignore, and sometimes encourage violence, while followers,if not properly controlled, are frequently motivated by rape, loot, and sadism. Mitchell brings the individual back into the study of human rights and shows how in practice, as well as in law, international standards of accountability can moderate political violence. The book is a pleasure to read, and hard to put down.' - Rhoda Howard-Hassmann Wilfrid Laurier University, Canada

'In this remarkably readable book, Mitchell applies a principal-agent framework to the policy area of massive violence targeted at civilians...Mitchell's prescriptions involve ensuring that principals can better monitor agents, and using the...international network of human rights nongovernmental organizations...his suggestions...might just 'reduce the odds of bastards being bastards.' - Perspectives on Politics