Holocaust Literature: A Handbook of Critical, Historical, and Literary Writings [Hardcover]

Saul S. Friedman (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 30, 1993 | ISBN-10: 0313262217 | ISBN-13: 978-0313262210 | Edition: 1St Edition

Over the past forty years, the term "Holocaust" has come to represent the deliberate campaign of extermination of Jews by the Nazis of Germany's Third Reich preceding and during World War II. Masses of edited documents and analytical material have been generated by Holocaust scholars, and some bibliographical and encyclopedic guides to the field are available. However, a student or researcher may be confounded by the abundance of publications and may lack the necessary background and endurance to sift the wheat from the chaff. The present volume has a two-fold purpose: to offer substantial analysis in intrinsic areas of study and to assess the relevant literature in each case. Major scholars and brilliant, less established historians from Israel, Canada, and the United States have contributed more than thirty essays complete with extensive reference lists in three broad divisions. The section on conceptual approaches to the Holocaust is composed of such topics as the rise of national socialism, biographies and interpretations of Hitler, concentration camps, post-Holocaust Jewish philosophies, and the "righteous gentiles." Area studies deal with aspects of the Holocaust in Poland, Hungary, Czechoslovakia, Ukraine, the Balkans, France, Holland, Italy, and Spain, and with effects and reactions in Switzerland and Britain. Arab-German collaboration and American responses are also addressed. A third section takes up Holocaust subjects in education, belles lettres, and the arts, including diaries and memoirs, fiction, poetry, books for children, art, music, and films. Although the scholars all provide evaluative surveys of their subjects and related literature, each enjoyed considerable latitude in coverage and each presents his or her own views and selections, not all of which are shared by other contributors or the volume editor. The editor also provides an introduction and a final survey of major institutions and resources for Holocaust study. A significant reference tool, this volume will be consulted by researchers at all levels in university, public, secondary, and parochial school libraries and at religious institutions.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

The goal of this book is to help readers gain an understanding of the Holocaust and also to assess the relevant literature. Several dozen Holocaust scholars and historians, many of whom have written works discussed in the text, contributed the signed essays. Information about the expertise of each contributor is appended.

The book is divided into three major sections: "Conceptual Approaches" (e.g., "The Church and the Holocaust," "Jewish Women in the Holocaust Resistance"), "Holocaust Area Studies" focusing on particular countries, and "The Holocaust in the Arts" ("The Poetry of the Holocaust," "Music of the Holocaust," etc.). Each chapter has an essay offering historical information on the topic and then discussing recommended books. Each chapter closes with a bibliography. The editor has supplemented some chapters with a list of additional readings on the subject. Because each chapter is written by a different person, style and depth of coverage vary. Some chapters focus on the bibliographic aspect of the topic more than others. Several chapters contain personal narratives. The book concludes with author and subject indexes.

There are more comprehensive bibliographies on the Holocaust, such as the Edelheit's Bibliography on Holocaust Literature. The Encyclopedia of the Holocaust [RBB Mr 1 90] has essays on most of the topics covered here and contains suggestions for further reading. Libraries owning those titles may want to pass on this one. However, libraries needing a one-volume overview of the topic may want to consider Holocaust Literature.

Review

“Friedman has chosen contributors who are knowledgable and show enthusiasm for their subjects. Recommended for upper-division undergraduate; graduate; faculty.”–Choice

“This massive compendium of Holocaust material encompasses three distinct categories: conceptual issues, regional studies, and the fine arts. . . the contributions of so many recongnized scholars makes this an important reference tool.”–Library Journal

“This evaluative overview performs an invaluable service.”–AMERICAN LIBRARIES

“...This well-prepared volume makes a timely entrance during the fiftieth anniversary of the Second World War. ...an excellent, prescriptive guide to popular and scholarly literature and other media describing and interpreting the Holocaust. This handbook also provides the historical and social context necessary for the reader to make sense of the vast body of materials documenting this tragic period of human history. Holocaust Literature's significance lies in its role as a guide to the important works necessary for the student, scholar, and librarian to understand why and how the genocide occurred. All academic and larger public libraries need this work.”–RQ Spring 1994

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 712 pages
• Publisher: Greenwood Press; 1St Edition edition (June 30, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0313262217
• ISBN-13: 978-0313262210
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.1 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,666,043 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)