How do societies that have been wracked by violent conflict reconcile themselves to their recent history - and lay the foundations for a peaceful, stable future? How do they deal with the impulse for revenge? What should be done with those responsible for acts of state violence under a previous regime? How can individuals and communities best be helped to cope with the aftermath of national trauma? These are the sometimes wrenching issues confronted in Justice and Reconciliation. Rigby investigates differing approaches to policing the past, ranging from mass purges at one end of the spectrum to collective social amnesia at the other. Using case studies to analyze the advantages and disadvantages of each, he makes clear the connection between how the past is acknowledged and the prospects for a present and future culture of peace.