Enjoyed this book greatly. It's very hard to find history books in English about Galicia. Was somewhat disappointed that the author didnt spend enough time on historical development of the area, but acknowledge that the author's focus is different than my own. Still grateful for all the work. It is a resource in my personal library!

This book skillfully combines a history of German influence in the East with a detailed look at the death and labor camps of Auschwitz. Using the architectural records left behind as well as statements of people who were there to outline the story, the authors trace the development and changes of the Auschwitz camps from 1939 to the present day. The skillful use of architectural plans provides insight into the changing purposes the camp adapted to in its short but terrible life. Also, the authors trace the German influence in the area back to the founding of the town in 1270 and relate the camp's shifting purpose to the territorial goals of the Germans in the East both before and during the war.

It's really the first book of its kind - examining the architecture of the largest death camp in history. It's remarkable for its in-depth look at the development of that small Polish town that went from Osweicem to Auschwitz, spanning seven centuries of cultural upheaval in the area, and focusing on the development of the Nazi concentration camp into a site of extermination and genocide. An excellent book for anyone interested in the Holocaust, in history or in architecture.

I hope this book is good...i think i want it! what do u guys think?

This book almost more a history of anti-semitism, the main focus being anti-semitism during the Holocaust. It deals more with why the Holocaust happened, what the conditions were in Europe that led to it, and what attitudes were like toward the Jews. It explores what conditions were like in occupied countries and how the non-Jews were treated by the Germans. This treatment by the Nazis would often reflect on whether or not the country helped the Nazis in their efforts against the Jews. Many countries would collaborate if the general population was being treated well, but then again many would collaborate if they were being treated harshly and blame the Jews as the cause. The book also deals with the various plans the Nazis came up with in their effort to find the "perfect" plan to dispose of the Jews. There is only one rather short chapter on concentration camps, the rest covers quite a lot of new ground that I haven't read before in books dealing with the Holocaust. I gave it four stars because a few times it seemed to be getting away from the main topic of the book, but all in all it's an exactly source.

The scholar seeking to write a comprehensive history of the Holocaust is confronted at the outset with two significant problems. Too broad a focus on the 'big picture' will tend to obscure the humanity of the individual victims who will come to seem abstract. Too narrow a focus on individual stories will, inevitably, diminish the shear scope of the horror which is really too great for the human mind to comprehend. The scholar must, therefore, try to reconcile both the larger picture and also to humanize the victims, to give them faces and names and backgrounds, to demonstrate their suffering. In this brilliant new book, which is destined to become the new standard one volume text on the Holocaust, the authors succeed brilliantly.

They begin by developing the broader picture, showing how racial anti-Semitism grew in Europe and how it metastasized in Germany under Hitler. The book then follows the horrible story chronologically as the Nazis systematically remove the Jews from all aspects of German society setting the stage for genocide with the outbreak of war. Not neglected is the role played by other European countries in supporting the annihilation of European Jewry. Repeated are the familiar stories of how Denmark rescued its Jewish citizens and how France cooperated with its Nazi overlords. Not well known, however, is the fact that Romania, actually carried out its own formal program of genocide, independent of Germany, the only European country to do so

The book is meticulously footnoted and quite scholarly but the writing is always lively and riveting. It is filled with quotes and anecdotes from a number of survivors and presents their stories in detail. All aspects of the Holocaust are covered, including resistance movements, and the actions of the righteous who saved thousands of lives. No book I have read covers the harrowing details of life in the Ghetto prisons as well and as comprehensively as this one.

The goal of Holocaust scholarship must be to keep the story alive. The Shoah was remains and pray to God will always be, the worst atrocity in human history. The scale of it staggers the mind. This book succeeds admirably in exposing the sheer evil while maintaining a proper reverence for the memory of the victims. It is necessary to avoid any implication of a mitigation of the horror. For example, as the authors state in the chapter on the Righteous Gentiles: It is not appropriate to say six million perished but thousands were saved by good people. It is necessary to say six million perished AND thousands were saved by good people. To understand the distinction between these two sentences is to understand the proper way to study the Holocaust. This is a book that must be read by everyone so that we should NEVER FORGET.

The trial transcripts are available on line (for free!!!!!). Imagine that, you can get an unbiased take on the evidence! Van Pelt gives very compelling testimony (unlike some of the other highly paid "witnesses" for the defense) but why pay him again for it?

A fascinating look at a trial which brought to light the nefarious and underhanded way in which Holocaust deniers and revisionists twist the facts of history. A must-read for history buffs, truth seekers, and legal eagles.