Damned Nations

Samantha Nutt is one of the most intrepid voices in the humanitarian arena and Damned Nations is a book of uncommon power. Weaving gripping personal experiences with uncompromising and impassioned argument, Nutt dissects war and aid, where humanitarian efforts go wrong, and what can and should be done to bring about a more just world. Drawing from nearly two decades of experiences at the frontline of conflict, Nutt challenges many of the assumptions and orthodoxies surrounding the aid industry. A book that is at once moving, engaging, and insightful, Damned Nations has been acclaimed by readers and critics across North America.

Advance Praise for Damned Nations

"A brave, eloquent, and necessary book."
- Lewis Lapham, editor, Lapham's Quarterly

"Samantha Nutt is scrupulously consistent with her hard-nosed, direct, in-your-face style and defiant resolve in her approach to war and the massive abuses to humanity, especially women and children. Samantha is telling us in no uncertain terms that humanitarianism starts by a 'critical reflection concerning our own actions and deeds.' And then she offers some solid proposals to consider. Well done, in a most compelling of ways."
- LGen the Hon. Roméo A. Dallaire, (Ret'd), Senator, and author of Shake Hands With the Devil

"This is an extraordinarily riveting book. The anecdotes are heart-wrenching; the analysis is trenchant, principled, uncompromising. I never read a book in one sitting: I read Damned Nations in one sitting, and I regretted that it came to an end. It's filled with emotional and intellectual power."
- Stephen Lewis, former Canadian ambassador to the United Nations, and Chair of the Board of the Stephen Lewis Foundation

"When I first met Sam, I was moved by her total and single minded dedication to justice. She thought of people in far away places the way we think of relatives in disadvantage, and she behaved like we do at our best when we care enough to do something. I have no doubt you will be moved by her stories and her work, but I hope most of all, by her example."
- K'Naan, Juno Award-winning performer, songwriter, poet, and activist

"What makes this book especially valuable is how Samantha Nutt weaves into personal experiences of war, a damning assessment of how governments, private corporations, indeed even NGOs, are culpable for much suffering by turning a blind eye to the consequences of the small arms trade, the rapacious search for scarce resources and commodities, the use of the military over diplomatic solutions, and the false start of so many aid and development initiatives. This book is a passionate reaction to so much of the stupidity and calumny that leads to death and destruction, and yet, it incorporates insightful and cool headed reasons as to why. An important book for our times."
- Lloyd Axworthy, President, University of Winnipeg and former Minister of Foreign Affairs

"This is an extraordinary book. From its opening scenes, my heart was in my throat. Samantha Nutt is a genuine hero. All of us living in the comfort and affluence of industrialized countries, owe it to the rest of humanity to read this powerful book."
- David Suzuki, co-founder, The David Suzuki Foundation, and Professor Emeritus, University of British Columbia

"Dr. Nutt movingly outlines the chilling truth about war and offers us a rare, poignant glimpse into each individual's part in the process to attainable peace. An absolute must-read for every person in the developed world, and a manual for every leader."
- Chantal Kreviazuk, Juno Award-winning performer and songwriter, and activist

"Dr. Samantha Nutt is a force of nature. A courageous and tireless advocate for human rights. Her colorful, revealing and heart-wrenching first-hand accounts are a must read for anyone who's given so much as a penny to an NGO."
- Raine Maida, lead singer, Our Lady Peace, songwriter, and activist

"Samantha Nutt drives us to the front lines of an ongoing conflict between empathy and barbarism. Her words, and the lessons she asks us to heed, come from what she herself has witnessed. The passion that Dr. Nutt has for the important work she does is reflected in the pages of this remarkable book."
- Seamus O'Regan, co-host, Canada AM