Customer Reviews

The Holocaust Encyclopedia

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This book is a must for World War II aficionados and scholars alike. It certainly is worthy of the title "encyclopedia," as it contains just about every known figure on both sides of the Holocaust. I highly recommend getting the book, no matter your expertise level. It's a great teaching tool for beginners who want to learn the ABCs of what happend and why, and it's a great reference book for scholars who want to learn intimate, small and minute details about one of the worst tragedies mankind has ever known. Well worth the money.

This is an invaluable source of reference for those interested in studying the Holocaust. It is superbly presented and extremely well written, consisting of over 800 pages & containing some 276 photographs (some previously unpublished) together with19 maps plus a full index and reference section.

The study declares that anti-Semitism (hatred of the Jews) was a central issue to the intended physical extermination/genocide of the Jews and it is the central topic of this book.

This comprehensive, authoritative one-volume reference provides reliable information on this ignoble and frightening episode of modern history covering an immense number of issues pertaining to the Holocaust, all of which are presented alphabetically for ease of access and reference. Historical essays are also written for each country with a sizable Jewish community.

Such issues addressed are "Holocaust denial", "the Protocols of the Elders of Zion", "Kristallnacht", "Gypsies", "Nazi policy", "British policy" & "medical experimentation" in what is one of the most readable histories of the Holocaust available. My only criticism of this book is that I would have liked more coverage of the Nazi individuals behind the atrocities and horrors so commendably documented here. Although some are included, many are not.

Having said that I would encourage all interested parties to acquire this book if at all possible. As stated, one of the subjects covered is "Holocaust denial" and as survivors become fewer and fewer, possession of such a priceless reference cannot be understated. Thank you.

Its about time a Holocaust Encyclopedia appeared on the shelves. This wonderful volume includes refferences to everything you could ever possibly want to know about the holocaust. This 800 page volume contains many useful maps and pictures which will be helpful. Coverage is well done. Their is some question as to the accuracy of the entry detailing the rvolt at Auschwitz as various sources("Anatomy of a death Camp') have put the number of Germans killed at 4 or 5 while 'Doctors Eyewitness account' put the numbers at as many as 100. Clearly something is missing. THe SS kept such extensive records of the numbers of Jews they killed one would think that someone could unearth the number of SS killed/hospitalized after the crematorium revolt.

Nonetheless this large piece of information will be helpful for reference. As a general rule Encyclopedias are pretty much useless outside of research as they appear to be usefull but the reader will gnerally get no happy times or enjoyment out of reading them. I recommend Martin Gilberts 'The Holocaust' as the best and most accesible account of the terrible event.

Far superior to the Rozett 'Encyclopedia of the Holocaust' which is smaller and not as authoritative.

Walter Laqueur's Holocaust Encyclopedia is a must for any serious student of Holocaust Studies or for a classroom or school library bookshelf. For that matter, it should be found in a regular public library as well. Rich in information, filled with pertinent maps and photographs, the encyclopedia allows the student to research a particular issue, which has been extraordinarily well written. There is information about specific perpetrators, specific Concentration Camps, Death Camps, rescuers, rescue missions, persecuted groups and so much more. Richest though, is the information about specific countries. Countries involved in the Holocaust are dealt with in the most minute detail, allowing the reader or researcher to delve deep within the historiography of that country. Articles have been written by some of the greatest names in Holocaust research - Christopher Browning, Yehudah Bauer, Rael Hillberg, Martin Gilbert and so many more. The maps are clear and precise, giving details of the location of camps and ghettos and the photographs come from some of the finest archives in the world.
For any young person needing to do a research project, having a concise, well laid out encyclopedia, beautifully alphabetized with all the most necessary details they could possibly want, this book is an absolute godsend as it is for the teacher who needs a good reference guide with the most pertinent information about a single event, at their fingertips. This book is an invaluable resource and I highly recommend it to all teachers and scholars.

The Holocaust , a bone chilling account but filled with valuable information, not my first choice, maybe my 2nd. Please read.