Mark Danner

Mark Danner is an American journalist, writer and professor known for his coverage of foreign affairs, politics, war, and human rights. He has written extensively about American foreign policy, Latin American politics, and conflicts in the Balkans, Haiti, and the Middle East. As a longtime contributor to The New York Review of Books and The New Yorker, Danner gained recognition for his in-depth reporting on the El Mozote massacre in El Salvador and the U.S. involvement in Haiti. His books include "The Massacre at El Mozote," "Stripping Bare the Body: Politics Violence War," and "Spiral: Trapped in the Forever War." Danner holds faculty positions at both the University of California, Berkeley, where he teaches journalism, and Bard College, where he is the James Clarke Chace Professor of Foreign Affairs and the Humanities. His work has earned him numerous awards, including a National Magazine Award, three Overseas Press Awards, and an Emmy. His writing frequently examines how political violence and state power affect societies, with particular focus on the consequences of U.S. foreign policy decisions. Danner's analysis of torture policies during the War on Terror, published in The New York Review of Books, sparked significant public debate and contributed to national discourse on human rights and national security.

Readers value Danner's investigative journalism and detailed analysis of international conflicts and human rights issues. His books draw from primary sources and firsthand reporting. Readers appreciate: - Clear explanations of complex geopolitical situations - Thorough research and documentation - Ability to connect historical events to current implications - Writing style that balances academic rigor with accessibility Common criticisms: - Dense academic tone can be challenging for casual readers - Some find his work overly focused on policy minutiae - Certain readers note a perceived political bias in analysis - Length and detail level occasionally deemed excessive Ratings: Goodreads: - Stripping Bare the Body: 4.1/5 (89 ratings) - The Massacre at El Mozote: 4.3/5 (456 ratings) - Torture and Truth: 3.9/5 (67 ratings) Amazon: - Spiral: 4.2/5 (28 reviews) - The Massacre at El Mozote: 4.5/5 (41 reviews) Multiple reviewers cite his El Mozote reporting as "meticulous" and "unflinching."

The Massacre at El Mozote (1994) An account of the 1981 massacre of civilians by Salvadoran soldiers and the subsequent cover-up by the U.S. and Salvadoran governments.

Stripping Bare the Body: Politics Violence War (2009) A collection of essays examining political violence in Haiti, the Balkans, Iraq, and other conflict zones from the 1980s to 2000s.

Torture and Truth: America, Abu Ghraib, and the War on Terror (2004) Analysis of documents and reports related to U.S. torture practices at Abu Ghraib prison and other detention facilities during the War on Terror.

The Secret Way to War: The Downing Street Memo and the Iraq War's Buried History (2006) Examination of leaked British government documents revealing preparations for the Iraq War.

Spiral: Trapped in the Forever War (2016) Investigation of how the War on Terror transformed into an ongoing state of conflict without clear resolution.

The Red Cross and the Holocaust (2020) Documentation of the International Committee of the Red Cross's actions and decisions during the Holocaust.