This book is a necessary addition to a research collection, because it provides a comprehensive framework and well chosen set of cases to illustrate the state of the art of the major debates in the human rights field.

H-Net: Humanities and Social Science Reviews Online

The authors argue convincingly that without revolutions human rights would never have become a political reality, even though countries that never have had a revolution have done a better job of preserving freedom. Many of the essays are interrelated in that they illustrate one or another or both of these themes. On the whole, this is an interesting, worthwhile, and thought-provoking book. Social and political philosophers might gain a great deal from understanding the history of the concepts that they use and argue about.

Robert van Wyk, Human Rights Revolution

A noteworthy contribution to our understanding of the complexities involved in the human rights discourse.

International Relations

This is an excellent collection on an important topic. The contributions cover an admirably diverse set of times and places.

American Historical Review

Altogether, we have here an exemplary set of thoughtful, erudite, and often provocative essays that provides readers with a rich and profound understanding of immensely important and complex issues.

Contemporary Sociology

There are some astute insights in this volume.

American Journal of Islamic Social Studies