A Forensic Anthropologist's Search for Truth in the Mass Graves of Rwanda, Bosnia, Croatia, and Kosovo
In the Spring of 1994, Rwanda was the scene of the first acts since World War II to be legally defined as genocide.
Two years later, Clea Koff, a twenty-three-year-old forensic anthropologist analyzing prehistoric skeletons in California, was one of sixteen scientists chosen by the UN International Criminal Tribunal to go to Rwanda to unearth physical evidence of war crimes and crimes against humanity.
The Bone Woman is Koff's riveting, intimate account of that mission and six subsequent missions she undertook to Bosnia, Croatia, and Kosovo on behalf of the UN. It is, ultimately, a story filled with hope, humanity, and justice.
Press about The Bone Woman
"[Koff's] book - indeed, her life - is a testament to an idealism that shines through a grim, bloody reality." The Herald, UK
"It may be that this is the ultimate memoir of the post-Cold War decade...
a hugely important book." The Telegraph, UK
"Chilling but mesmerizing...Koff's account is neither histrionic nor preachy; it's clear-eyed, hard-headed and straightforward...This book works so well, is so vivid and so moving, because Koff surrounds the dead bodies with living stories." Bookpage, US
"Though stalwartly non-academic, this book is a must-read for students of forensic science, political science, international law and other disciplines that study or directly contribute to human rights investigations." The Globe and Mail, Canada
