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From Emancipation to Catastrophe

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From Emancipation to Catastrophe. The Rise and Holocaust Of Hungarian Jewry.

T. D. Kramer

From Emancipation to Catastrophe is a fine piece of historical research on the Holocaust in Hungary. Written in an admirably clear and readable style, Tom Kramer follows the chronology and places the processes of social integration and acculturation, antisemitism and persecution into their historical context, describing and analysing the various stages, events and key players. Of particular significance is the portrayal of Dr Gyorgy Gergely, a Jewish leader who played a vital yet largely unresearched role during the Holocaust.

The highlight of this comprehensive study is undoubtedly the final section in which the international "rescue matrix" is explored. Drawing on his own archival research and prior historiography, Dr Kramer formulates and brings together controversial explanations of both the Nazi strategies and Allied policies towards the rescue of Jews in 1944-45. His conclusions are convincing and they will set the tone for public debate and future research: "...Jews in Axis countries were caught in a classic lose-lose situation. We are left with the tragic paradox that, for the West, the prospect of successful negotiations negated the very possibility of negotiations. Quite simply, Europe's Jewish remnant remained bound between the relentless German hammer and the impassive Allied anvil."

Professor Konrad Kwiet

Emeritus Professor of German Studies Macquarie University

Deputy Director, Centre for Comparative Genocide Studies Macquarie University