Humanity at Sea
Maritime Migration and the Foundations of International Law

'In this lyrically written book, Mann throws light on the refugee condition through the metaphor of 'the universal boatperson'. The episodes he recounts of refugees at sea, spread over time and geography, amount to one of the most original discussions of these topics yet to appear.' Seyla Benhabib, Eugene Meyer Professor of Political Science and Philosophy, Yale University, Connecticut

'In his exemplary study of migration past and present, Itamar Mann has responded to a topic of burning currency and moral importance with agile and profound theoretical sophistication, achieving a unique proposal for why human rights law is binding and should come to the rescue of the forlorn victims of history. Compelling, eloquent, and rich, Humanity at Sea is a must-read for ethicists, historians, and lawyers.' Samuel Moyn, Harvard Law School, and author of The Last Utopia: Human Rights in History

'Mann's theory of the rights of encounter addresses the gap that many critical approaches have left unaddressed - the rights of the person at the border, of the person not yet present on the territory and within the community. It does so in a way that bridges demands of concreteness and universality: the 'rights of encounter' are concrete in that the moment of encounter between particular persons brings them about, and they are universal in that they arise from a sense of universal equality, which makes the mere knowledge of the other person's humanity sufficient for an obligation to save her life.' Dana Schmalz, The European Journal of International Law

'I would recommend this book to those that are interested in maritime law, those interested in the refugee crisis, and those looking for a good read in general. Mann made great arguments and I learned about several events and atrocities that I hadn't heard of before.' Ashlee N. Williams, AmeriQuests (www.ameriquests.org)