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Crawshaw’s ‘visceral’ account of the fight to prosecute war criminals goes to The Bridge Street Press
The Bridge Street Press has signed Prosecuting the Powerful by Steve Crawshaw, “a visceral and moving account of the increasing impetus to bring war criminals and human rights abusers to justice".
Publisher Sameer Rahim acquired world rights from Bill Hamilton at AM Heath for publication in spring 2025.
Crawshaw worked as a foreign correspondent for the Independent from 1986 to 2002 and since then has been a human rights advocate working for Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International and Freedom from Torture. He has previously written books on the fall of Communism, modern Germany and the creative power of protest.
The synopsis to Prosecuting the Powerful reads: “Starting with crimes in Ukraine, where he is currently on the ground, Crawshaw delves into the fascinating history of the term “genocide”, including the importance of arguments 80 years ago for events in Ukraine today, and the story of how the PM of Trinidad & Tobago became known as the grandfather of the International Criminal Court in The Hague, created despite all the obstacles that powerful governments put in its way. He also tells of how he personally confronted Serb leader Slobodan Milošević about his war crimes.”
Crawshaw said: “I am excited to tell some of the extraordinary stories of international justice as they unfold, to chronicle the courage of those who against impossible odds have helped create change, and to map out what is still needed — including an end to the double standards of the past.
“These themes have been a passion of mine for three decades, when I reported from the Balkans. With the ongoing horror in Ukraine, we are at a historic turning point. The challenges are huge, but I believe the opportunities for achieving justice are also greater than ever before.”
Rahim said: “I am delighted that Steve will be bringing Prosecuting the Powerful – a blend of on-the-ground reportage and intellectual history – to Bridge Street. On the news and social media, we are witnessing Russian atrocities in Ukraine with horrifying regularity. But could Putin and his ilk ever be put on trial? Getting a head of state in the dock, Steve argues, is finally a real possibility. Steve is an accomplished reporter and storyteller and this is the book his whole career has been leading up to."
