Condemnations of "victim politics" are a familiar feature of American public life. Politicians and journalists across the ideological spectrum eagerly denounce "victimism." Accusations of "playing the victim" have become a convenient way to ridicule or condemn. President George W. Bush even blamed an Islamic "culture of victimization" for 9/11. The Cult of True Victimhood shows how the panic about domestic and foreign victims has transformed American politics, warping the language we use to talk about suffering and collective responsibility. With forceful and lively prose, Alyson Cole...

Condemnations of -victim politics- are a familiar feature of American public life. Politicians and journalists across the ideological spectrum eagerly denounce -victimism.- Accusations of -playing the victim- have become a convenient way to ridicule or condemn. President George W. Bush even blamed an Islamic -culture of victimization- for 9/11. The Cult of True Victimhood shows how the panic about domestic and foreign victims has transformed American politics, warping the language we use to talk about suffering and collective responsibility. With forceful and lively prose, Alyson Cole...