Includes bibliographical references and index.

Introduction -- Confronting past crimes : transitional justice and t he phenomenon of truth commissions -- Why a truth commission? -- The fi ve strongest truth commissions -- Other illustrative truth commissions -- What is the truth? -- The truth about women and men -- Truth and jus tice : a careful but critical relationship -- Truth commissions and the International Criminal Court -- Naming names of perpetrators -- Healin g from the past -- Truth and reparations -- Reconciliation and reforms -- Leaving the past alone -- When, how, and who : basic questions of me thodology and operations -- Reflections : looking forward.