"Drumbl draws on insights from numerous disciplines - developmental psychology, anthropological and ethnographic research, and critical intersectionality theory. He deploys these interdisciplinary insights skillfully to contest contemporary legal fictions...Whether or not one agrees with Drumbl's prescriptions, his book illuminates one of the darkest aspects of current conflicts and reinvigorates the international legal imagination." --Jose E. Alvarez, New York University School of Law
"Stimulating and provocative, Mark Drumbl provides us with a new understanding of what he calls the oxymoron of child soldiers. It is a discussion that is traditionally plagued with cliche, shibboleth and stereotype. His imaginative analysis of the subject is set out here with rich nuance and distinction, and presented in sparkling prose." --William Schabas, Middlesex University, London
"Expertly argued, scrupulously presented and intellectually assured, Reimagining Child Soldiers offers a subtle, often unorthodox, retort to the prevailing intellectual and legal currents. It is always a pleasure to come upon a book whose very great ambitions are fully realized. Mark Drumbl has set the agenda on this subject for years to come." --Gerry Simpson, University of Melbourne
"This well researched book challenges us to rethink whether there should be greater accountability for child soldiers who are implicated in acts of atrocity. Rejecting simplistic images of child soldiers as passive victims or as being all alike, it calls attention to children's agency and invites fresh consideration of the value of accountability, not through retributive trials but through reintegrative and restorative justice processes." --Mike Wessells, PhD, Columbia University
"It is useful as a reference work to the introductory reader. Its value as an exposition of existent law, protocols and how they are interpreted is significant. Its focus on graduated responses to issues of injustice and concerns about reintegration are novel and welcome." --Criminal Law and Criminal Justice Books
"It is useful as a reference work to the introductory reader. Its value as an exposition of existent law, protocols and how they are interpreted is significant. Its focus on graduated responses to issues of injustice and concerns about reintegration are novel and welcome." --Criminal Law and Criminal Justice Books
"Drumbl's book is without question a fundamental contribution to the international legal discourse on child soldiering, not least because it lays bare our conceptual tunnel vision before trying to reinvigorate this discourse through the presentation of salient data from previously overlooked disciplines. It is therefore essential reading for anyone seeking to prevent and respond to the practice of child soldiering...[P]erhaps the mark of any game-changing book will be the debates to which it gives rise." - European Journal of International Law
"Reimagining Child Soldiers in International Law and Policy represents an excellent contribution to the literature on child soldiering. The topic is debated and explored through clear and creative arguments, offering an empirical synthesis to law and policy." -Journal of International Criminal Justice
"[I]nnovative not only regarding the reformulation of the child soldiers' image, but in essence of international criminal justice itself...the book demonstrates Drumbl's rounded legal thinking and a spherical approach which stands to ultimately make it a seminal work in the field of international criminal law" -Journal of the Philosophy of International Law
"Reimagining Child Soldiers in International Law and Policy is groundbreaking in its broad coverage of child soldier experiences and the ways in which the international community and various governments address the problem of child soldiering. [...] Moving away from the universal image of child soldiers as faultless-passive victims is crucial if we are to deal with child soldiers on their own terms rather than through a narrow Western framework [the book] is a crucial step in the right direction" -Think Africa Press
"Drumbl makes a powerful and persuasive case." -Lawfare blog
"This text is very valuable...[i]t may help the international community grasp the key to preventing child soldiering" -Chinese Journal of International Law
"Reimagining Child Soldiers in International Law and Policy provides a timely and compelling contribution. The book is moulded in rich prose and illuminating vocabulary. Any interested reader will be challenges, inspired, set free from the constraints of conventional wisdom." -Melbourne Journal of International Law
"[U]ne contribution savante et audacieuse...rédigé dans un style érudit avec des connaissances encyclopédiques, le livre est un produit de recherche documentaire de quantité et qualité, de substance et de sédiments. Il est bien structuré; les idées sont scrupuleusement présentées et intellectuellement assurées" -Canadian Yearbook of International law
"[T]his book represents an ambitious and valuable addition to thinking about the troubling phenomenon of underaged combatants." -American Journal of International Law
"[A]n excellent contribution to the topical study of child soldiers...an insightful and ambitious project." -Political Studies Review
"Drumbl's contribution is well researched and reflective, striving to account for nuance and complexity rather than proposing simple solutions...[and] illustrates how responses to child soldiering that disregard any consideration of children's agency, although often seeking to protect children, can actually undermine an acknowledgement of their strength and resilience in difficult circumstances and their position as rights bearers." -Social & Legal Studies
"Drumbl's key contribution is his careful and comprehensive consideration of his the faultless passive victim image has been reflected in international law and policy, with a particular emphasis on accountability and reintegration. [He] articulates a case for a more nuanced conception of child soldiers as individuated legal personalities who act with political, economic and social incentives as well as constraints." -African Journal of Legal Studies
"[A]n invaluable source for academics and students...as well as for law and policy-makers involved in initiatives addressing the child soldier phenomenon." -British Yearbook of International Law
"Through its novel and innovative approach, [this book] challenges current conventional wisdom. [T]he way this book unveils fascinating and little-known aspects of child soldiering...will most certainly prompt debate therefore realizing Drumbl's goal of reenergizing international discussion on the subject." -War Studies Publications
"Drumbl's excellent book provides us with a very interesting and challenging perspective that should be carefully considered. He has astutely raised many of the problems and issues that need rethinking and, ultimately, will require repairing." -Criminal Law and Philosophy
"Drumbl's book is without question a fundamental contribution to the international legal discourse on child soldiering, not least because it lays bare our conceptual tunnel vision before trying to reinvigorate this discourse through the presentation of salient data from previously overlooked disciplines. It is therefore essential reading for anyone seeking to prevent and respond to the practice of child soldiering...[P]erhaps the mark of any game-changing book will be the debates to which it gives rise." -European Journal of International Law
"Reimagining Child Soldiers in International Law and Policy represents an excellent contribution to the literature on child soldiering. The topic is debated and explored through clear and creative arguments, offering an empirical synthesis to law and policy." -Journal of International Criminal Justice
"[I]nnovative not only regarding the reformulation of the child soldiers' image, but in essence of international criminal justice itself...the book demonstrates Drumbl's rounded legal thinking and a spherical approach which stands to ultimately make it a seminal work in the field of international criminal law" -Journal of the Philosophy of International Law
"Reimagining Child Soldiers in International Law and Policy is groundbreaking in its broad coverage of child soldier experiences and the ways in which the international community and various governments address the problem of child soldiering...Moving away from the universal image of child soldiers as faultless-passive victims is crucial if we are to deal with child soldiers on their own terms rather than through a narrow Western framework [the book] is a crucial step in the right direction" -Think Africa Press
"Drumbl makes a powerful and persuasive case." -Lawfare blog
"This text is very valuable...[i]t may help the international community grasp the key to preventing child soldiering" -Chinese Journal of International Law
"Reimagining Child Soldiers in International Law and Policy provides a timely and compelling contribution. The book is moulded in rich prose and illuminating vocabulary. Any interested reader will be challenges, inspired, set free from the constraints of conventional wisdom." -Melbourne Journal of International Law
"[U]ne contribution savante et audacieuse...rédigé dans un style érudit avec des connaissances encyclopédiques, le livre est un produit de recherche documentaire de quantité et qualité, de substance et de sédiments. Il est bien structuré; les idées sont scrupuleusement présentées et intellectuellement assurées" -Canadian Yearbook of International law
"[T]his book represents an ambitious and valuable addition to thinking about the troubling phenomenon of underaged combatants." -American Journal of International Law
"[A]n excellent contribution to the topical study of child soldiers...an insightful and ambitious project." -Political Studies Review
"Drumbl's contribution is well researched and reflective, striving to account for nuance and complexity rather than proposing simple solutions...[and] illustrates how responses to child soldiering that disregard any consideration of children's agency, although often seeking to protect children, can actually undermine an acknowledgement of their strength and resilience in difficult circumstances and their position as rights bearers." -Social & Legal Studies
"Drumbl's key contribution is his careful and comprehensive consideration of his the faultless passive victim image has been reflected in international law and policy, with a particular emphasis on accountability and reintegration. [He] articulates a case for a more nuanced conception of child soldiers as individuated legal personalities who act with political, economic and social incentives as well as constraints." -African Journal of Legal Studies
"[A]n invaluable source for academics and students...as well as for law and policy-makers involved in initiatives addressing the child soldier phenomenon." -British Yearbook of International Law
"Through its novel and innovative approach, [this book] challenges current conventional wisdom. [T]he way this book unveils fascinating and little-known aspects of child soldiering...will most certainly prompt debate therefore realizing Drumbl's goal of reenergizing international discussion on the subject." -War Studies Publications
"Drumbl's excellent book provides us with a very interesting and challenging perspective that should be carefully considered. He has astutely raised many of the problems and issues that need rethinking and, ultimately, will require repairing." -Criminal Law and Philosophy
