Béatrice Pouligny argues that much of what is being rebuilt in societies emerging from war —or in some cases what is continuing to be destroyed—often lies in the ordinary daily lives of both local populations and the staff of UN peacekeeping missions.

Pouligny's close analysis of UN interventions—in Cambodia, Somalia, Mozambique, El Salvador, Bosnia, Haiti, Sierra Leone—is based on first hand observation of how local people intermingle with UN soldiers and civilians. She sheds light on a neglected but crucial dimension of international peace enforcement by sharing the experiences of "ordinary" people.