Customer Reviews

Caravans to Oblivion: The Armenian Genocide, 1915

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

Caravans to Oblivion takes a journalistic view of the events surrounding the Armenian Holocaust.

The author lays out logically events leading up to, during and following the Holocaust. The journalistic approach gives the reader the chance to understand the history surrounding the events. The book reviews the part that Germany played in its support of Turkey and also Britain and France in their betrayal of Armenia in the post-First World War period. This is no revisionist history, it clearly places the blame on Turkey (tho' not all Turks or any nationality for that matter) for the centrally organized attempt to eliminate an ethnic group. Also at the end the author compares the issues underlying the Armenian Holocaust with those of the Jewish Holocaust.

A great book, a must-read for anyone looking for more depth on this issue and a view into the darker side of human nature.

That this book probes areas of history which make the Turkish government uncomfortable is all too clearly demonstrated by the many "denier" reviews ...- though of course no further proof of the campaign of denial by the Turkish government was needed, considering the mountains of evidence available.

If you're wondering why the countries of the EU are reluctant to admit Turkey, this book gives some very clear clues. Those who forget history are condemned to repeat it...and those who deny the crimes of their ancestors share their complicity. An eye-opening book.

"~There are many dense and scholarly histories of the awful Armenian genocide by the Turkish government in 1915. But, scholarly though they may be, these histories seldom reflect the agony, the pain, the horror of what was inflicted upon a whole people by a militant religion-driven government bent on using World War I as an excuse to kill an entire class of its residents."~ "Caravans to History.""~ Turkish government gave free rein to Kurdish nomads to pillage the Armenian refugees, most of whom were too aged or too young to resist. There are factual reports of how Armenian men, many of whom had enlisted as a patriotic duty as Turkish citizens, were abused and brutualized by the Turkish Army. government of today horrified and ashamed of the Turkish government of the past.

This book is hybrid between a dry historical account and super-detailed first hand account of the Armenian Genocide. It is a very readable history, perfect for those knowing very little about the Armenian Genocide. It gives a great overall picture of the Genocide and is written in an unbiased manner. For more historical, detailed works, try Vahakn Dadrian's books. For first-hand accounts check Donald Miller's "Survivors" or any of the many other individually written accounts.

Histories of the Armenian genocide by the Turkish government in 1914-1915 normally fall into two general categories -- dense, scholarly tomes often the result of university research, or memoirs by participants or descendants. Neither style is satisfactory for the average reader seeking the truth of the horrible attempt by the Turks to wipe out the Armenians. Historian Gerald Graber has written a history notable for its detailed information while informal enough for the reader who is anxious to learn the truth.

If you do not know about the Armenian genocide this book is wriiten for you. Concise, clear, and not encyclopedic. If you are looking to a very comprehensive study try Vahakn Dadrian's The History of the Armenian Genocide. Unforgettable- the story, events and characters will stay with you long after you finish reading it.

The claim that not ONE British account of the genocide is present is ludicrous. The book has plenty of accounts from ALL sides. Take Page 119: Captain Harry Armstrong, ranking officer is being marched through the desert by a Turkish army unit when he comes across proof. People need to read this book before they make ludicrous claims about it.

Graber's book about the Armenian genocide is unique. The West only heres of the Jewish Holocaust and the recent events in Cambodia, Rwanda, Biafra, Bosnia, and Kosovo. However there was a first genocide and it occurred in the Ottoman Empire against the Armenian population. Whereas other peoples have admitted their past histories of killing groups of people, the Turks say it didn't happen or as an alternative that the Armenians deserved what they got. You can see this attitude displayed in the previous reviews. The Armenian genocide occurred and it displays the indifferent attitude of the Sultan of 1895-96, the Young Turks, and the Ataturk government.
One reason why I didn't rate this book the full five stars is the brevity of the book. The book trys to be all by talking of genocide in general, and this particular genocide in detail. It doesn't do justice to both. Graber should have devoted his energies to the latter. Graber does a good job detailing how the Young Turk leadership (Talaat) led the genocide efforts and direction. Talaat's fate is deserved--he was assassinated in Berlin and the murderer was set free.
This is a good introduction to one of the first genocides.

I myself being a Turk read this book and was pleased with its contents. It was for the most part factual and true. Turkey did commit the horrible act of genocide against the Armenians in 1915 and we should admit guilt so that we can all move forward. Denying the past is no way to live. And with countries like France, Sweden and Italy offically recognizing the genocide. I think its only a matter of time before other countries follow.

This book is a wonderful account of the life the Armenian people, the hardships they faced, and how they overcame those hardships. I also enjoyed Graber's other books. They had a great amount of detail and showed deeply that he felt the way he wrote. There is much feeling in this book and it helped me to learn more about my heritage. I think that anyone who is interested in Armenia and the Armenians and their culture should read this book. It is touching and moving. I recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn more about the struggles and hardships of Armenia.