Introducing the Holocaust [Paperback]

Haim Bresheeth (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 10, 1990 | Series: Introducing

The vast amount of serious research work on the Holocaust never reaches the general public and our notions of it are at the mercy of distortion and myth. As a result it is regarded as a horrific drama played out only between executioner Nazis and ghetto Jewish victims - in short, an aberration of history. This book dissolves this stereotype and places the Holocaust where it belongs - at the centre of modern European and world history. If such an event is not to be repeated, it is crucial to understand that genocide is a constant widespread threat to humanity, as witnessed in Cambodia, former Yugoslavia and Rwanda. The book provides a forthright guide to the horrifying meaning of the Holocaust for readers today.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 9 Up-This strange and contradictory book is not an introduction to the Holocaust; it is a statement of the authors' revisionist political beliefs about that dark period of history. Written and illustrated in a graphic-comic format, it promulgates the view that the Nazis did not intend "to destroy European Jewry physically" but rather, that "many forces within the German state as well as outside it helped to bring it [the Holocaust] about." The authors do not deny that the Holocaust occurred, but assert that the Nazi policy of genocide evolved only after Hitler was unable to expel all the Jews. They indict Western nations for refusing to accept Jewish refugees and argue that Zionists worked to impede immigration to all countries other than British-controlled Palestine. They also postulate that middle-and upper-class European Jewish communities colluded with the Nazis instead of resisting them. The "Aftermath" presents the revisionist stance that Israel today has become the executioner instead of the victim, the colonial oppressor rather than the oppressed. In addition to the bizarre and unproven propaganda permeating the text, the authors' account negates one of their primary assumptions; they demonstrate repeatedly that the killing fields and concentration camps were the results of Nazi policy initiated by Hitler and his henchmen. There is no reason why libraries serving young people should consider this highly politicized, inconsistently argued, and misleading title. Steer them instead to Milton Meltzer's Never to Forget (HarperCollins, 1976), Barbara Rogasky's Smoke and Ashes (Holiday, 1988), or Art Spiegelman's "Maus" books (Pantheon).
Jack Forman, Mesa College Library, San Diego
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Totem Books (August 10, 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1874166161
• ISBN-13: 978-1874166160
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,603,018 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Holocaust is an event that everyone should study and this book is an excellent first step, August 9, 2008

By 

Charles Ashbacher (Marion, Iowa United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Introducing the Holocaust (Paperback)

Given the enormous amount of evidence and that the events are historically recent, it is incredible that there are people who doubt that the Holocaust took place. Thousands of German, Austrian, Hungarian, Romanian, Italian and other Nazi satellite troops were eyewitnesses to the roundup and slaughter. Although millions died, thousands survived the camps and their stories are identical in all the essential details. Finally, there is the complete absence of so many people of the particular ethnic and racial groups that were to be exterminated.
The only way this movement to cast doubt on the Holocaust can be fought is to make sure that it is never forgotten. To do that, every person must be educated as much as possible about the mechanized killing that took place in Europe in World War II. This book is an excellent introduction to this difficult topic; in a combination of facts and basic conclusions, the authors set down the events in detail. Some of the failures of the opponents of Germany to provide refuge to the Jewish refugees are also examined. Most of the excuses put forward to justify denying the refugees' asylum will forever be a black mark on many countries. Concerted action by other nations to simply accept them would have done a great deal to prevent the wholesale murder. Furthermore, the additional wealth and talent the refugees would have provided would have strengthened the Allied cause when the war came. Ironically, there is a great deal of evidence to indicate that Hitler and the Nazis would have preferred that solution.
The authors also spend some time on explanations of how a people could have been systematically killed by civilized people. Unfortunately as they point out, the Holocaust was an aberration only in terms of the numbers and methods, it was a continuation of a centuries old policy. They close the book with a mention of the nation of Israel and why, in the minds of Jews, it must exist and be unconditionally supported. It is an important section, as it helps explain the rigidity of positions in the ongoing Arab-Palestinian conflict.

2 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Mostly Factual, Clear, Concise, May 2, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Introducing the Holocaust (Paperback)

As part of my teacher training, I am developing a bibliography of materials to be shared with 65 colleagues in a Children's Literature Course. I have listed this book as a general reference to a Holocaust unit designed with sixth and seventh graders in mind for its clear language, and the forward moving progression of the text. The words do now flow necessarily, but the feel is of a steady march toward the culmination of the book. The disembodied collage-effect of the illustrations, strictly black and white, gives power to the text. Intermittant negative imaging of white text on a black background also lends weight and tone to the text. Visually, it is not a comfortable read, as it should be, artistically speaking.

I have a problem with one aspect of the background information in the beginning of the book. The lack of historical background of eugenics work (pages 16-17)in the United States seems irresponsible. This ommission leaves the impression that only Britian and Germany developed eugenics. The United States during the mid-1800's into the early 1900's had a large piece of that terrible legacy. German "scientists" borrowed heavily from American research. Americans need credit regarding our share of responsibility for irresponsible medical practices, if fingers are to be pointed.

Otherwise this book responsibly covers a large amount of information in a very critical efficient manner.

0 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Not Another Revision Please, April 21, 2005

By 

*_ME_* (Tempe, AZ USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Introducing the Holocaust (Paperback)

I feel bad for the writer -- it is obvious he is delusional & has some serious identity issues, and otherwise.