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The Butcher's Tale: Murder and Anti-Semitism in a German Town

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Helmut Walser Smith (Author)
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Helmut Walser Smith (Author)
4.1 out of 5 stars 18 customer reviews
ISBN-13: 978-0393325058
ISBN-10: 0393325059
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Product Details

  • Paperback: 272 pages
  • Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company (November 17, 2003)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0393325059
  • ISBN-13: 978-0393325058
  • Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.8 x 8.3 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #126,541 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
A History Of An Hysteria
By John D. Cofield TOP 500 REVIEWERVINE VOICE on January 19, 2004
Format: Hardcover
The Butcher's Tale is on the surface the story of the murder of an 18 year old boy in an obscure town in a backwards corner of Germany in 1900. The parts of the book which deal with the discovery of the body and the subsequent investigations read like any report of a murder might, with heavy emphasis on detail and comparisons of witness testimony, etc.
The most important parts of the book deal, however, with the reaction of the townspeople to the murder: an upsurge in anti-Semitic hysteria which eventually forced the government to send troops to keep order. Smith does a good job of analyzing the roots of anti-Jewish prejudice in Germany and Central Europe and provides a fascinating history of the beginnings of the so-called blood libel and desecration of the Host stories, belief in which accounted for much of the anti-Jewish feeling in Central and Eastern Europe from the Middle Ages on. Smith also draws some interesting parallels with the behavior of the German government in 1900, when it actively protected its Jewish citizens, and then in the 1940s, when the Third Reich actively sought to massacre those same citizens.
This book is important because it gives us precious insights into the tendency of human beings, even well educated, civilized humans, to lapse into hysteria and believe the most unbelievable stories about people they once trusted and accepted. Read this book, and remember it the next time you hear rumors about child molesting day care workers, or secret covens of Satanists among us, or other widespread, previously unsuspected, conspiracies.
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
A Case Study of Anti-Semetism in a German Town before WWI
By Carson on May 13, 2007
Format: Paperback Verified Purchase
Helmut Walser Smith's The Butcher's Tale analyzes a town's (Konitz Germany)involvement in anti-Semetic activity in 1900. At the turn of the century Germany is experiencing great progress in the arts, sciences, and they are considered the most literate in the world. Although the education system is the envy of other modern nations during the period, the government unfortunately continues to see the nation's minorities as a problem. Although the Jewish minority has been fully emancipated since Napoleon's invasion, anti-Semitism is still prevalent in Germany. Anti-Semitic sentiments have made their lives difficult, nevertheless, the Jewish community has been able to assimilate themselves into German society and have a voice in larger cities such as Berlin.

However in Konitz on March 13, 1900 body parts of a murder young man are found strewn throughout town. Immediately the Jewish community is suspected and anti-Semetic events take place. Walser Smith in The Butcher's Tale investigates the murder of the young man and how it tore the community of Konitz apart. Furthermore, Walser Smith illustrates to his readers the history of anti-Semetism, the place of anti-Semetism in Germany during 1900, and how anti-Semetic sentiments would evolve in Germany's future (particularly under the Third Reich). The book is written extremely well which makes it an easy read (it sucks you into the historical plot much like a novel). In addition, for anyone looking to gain knowledge of how anti-Semetism evolved in Germany or the roots of anti-Semetism this is an excellent opportunity.
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16 of 20 people found the following review helpful
excellent look at a historical true crime incident
By Harriet Klausner #1 HALL OF FAME on August 17, 2002
Format: Hardcover
In March 1900 in Konitz, Prussia, two townsfolk find a package containing the upper body of a missing young man. Other body parts wrapped inside packing paper typically used for meat are subsequently found throughout the town. Though the authorities believe the local Christian butcher killed the lad, rumors abound even way beyond the town's borders that the Jews performed an ancient ritual using the blood of Christians in the baking of Passover matzo. Taken seriously by many Christians, riots and other violent acts against the Jewish community occurred.

THE BUTCHER'S TALE is an excellent look at a true crime incident that led to unproved accusations followed by anti-Semitic rioting and acts of violence against the Jewish population. Dr. Helmut Walser Smith provides deep insight into the historical evidence, especially collected in minute detail by the police and uses this anecdotal case to prove the "process" of turning personal bias and local quarrels into a structured vicious attack on a weaker relation in this case the Jews. Generalizations can be drawn from this powerful work that takes a specific medieval belief applied at the beginning of the twentieth century and yet the use of accusing a scapegoat seems so commonplace throughout the world of today.

Harriet Klausner
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6 of 7 people found the following review helpful
One if the best history books
By Paola on May 5, 2004
Format: Hardcover
I was recently assigned to read this book for a World Civilizations history course in college, and I was surprised by how interesting it turned out to be.
The author offers historical facts and evidence of a supposed 'ritual murder' in Konitz, a German town. But it reads like a suspense story that makes you want to keep reading to know what happened.
I strongly recommend this book to those interested in anti-Semitism and history.
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6 of 7 people found the following review helpful
reads like a novel!
By Elimelech G. Tabak on December 29, 2007
Format: Paperback
Once I started to read this facinating book, I couldnt put it down.
I would recommend this book to anyone who wants an in depth view at how anti semitism flourished in those times, and how destructive it was.
I was amazed at how the author gathered so many details, interviews, photos, etc. Very impressed- and for someone who preffers fiction over non, that means alot!!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

More of a psuedo-academic study

Despite what it says on the back of the book, this is not a true-crime story. Yes, there is a murder mystery and an investigation, but these are really the backdrop for the real... Read more

Published 20 days ago by R Helen
This book has helped me see from a new perspective.

What surprised me most was discovering that hatred, ignorance and culture can coexist for so long. Not an easy book, but I recommend it. Read more

Published 2 months ago by Alejandro Armenteros
Reads like a novel

I have read this for a history class, and I didn't know what to expect, but I was pleasantly surprised because I found it informative and also sensitively written. Read more

Published 3 months ago by Rita Campbell
I enjoy true crime books

I enjoy true crime books. I n ever heard of this book. amazion suggested this one. it made sense to me since what I like. it was not near as other true crime I have read. Read more

Published 10 months ago by Charlene H. Smith
Mostly about anti-semitism

Provides an in-depth review of anti-semitism in the late 1800s - early 1900s, along with a good review of anti-semitism throughout Europe over the last thousand years or so, along... Read more

Published 11 months ago by ssc
Required Reading

For historical non fiction crime book? Pretty great. However, it simply isn't my taste. This book was assigned for a 19th cent. Read more

Published 11 months ago by Alyssa
So so at best...

It's OK. Moved slowly. The "documentation" left me unimpressed and unconvinced of the accuracy of the book. Read more

Published 14 months ago by another_perspective
I like this book

this book is very interesting, and the book seems very new although it is a second hand book. Go ahead

Published 17 months ago by shaozhi li
Anti Semitism

The history of anti-semitism has interested me since I was a girl and read The Diary of Ann Frank. It just does;t make sense to me. Read more

Published 19 months ago by lisa m. petersilia
Good story

This was a really good story that had a good perspective on anti-semitism. It was a very engaging story and was something better to read than your average text book on the same... Read more

Published on July 9, 2013 by JB

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