The Holocaust: A German Historian Examines the Genocide

by Wolfgang Benz

The history of the Holocaust keeps being written and rewritten in ever greater detail, but almost always by Jews. Wolgang Benz's book makes an important contribution by bringing the German perspective to this horrific event. A masterpiece of compression, the books covers all the major topics and issues, from the Wannsee Conference of January 20, 1942, to stripping Jews of their civil rights, from the establishment of ghettos to the creation of killing centers and the development of an efficient system for extermination. The book also includes a chapter on "The Other Genocide: The Persecution of the Sinti and Roma," detailing the crusade against the Gypsies.

From the Foreword by Arthur Hertzberg:

Benz's account is the necessary 'first course' for anyone who wants to know about the Holocaust and to think further about its meaning for humanity. It is of particular importance that the historian who has written this book is a German. This account is trustworthy because its author combines within himself the rare authority of someone who belongs to the past of his nation. He has both understood and transcended its history in this century. The subject of the book, the Holocaust, is somber beyond words, but this account in Benz's words is a cause for hope.

Genres: Nonfiction, Holocaust, History, European History

176 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1995

About the author

Wolfgang Benz war Leiter des Zentrums für Antisemitismusforschung der Technischen Universität Berlin.

Reviews

[Yannic · Rating 4 out of 5]

Benz liefert eine sehr konzise und gut verständliche Übersicht zur Geschichte des Holocausts. Besonders die kurzen biografischen Einsprengsel (z.B. zu Adam Czerniakow) sind äusserst illustrativ. Mir persönlich hat die Forschungsgeschichte und vor allem die Forschungskontroversen (Historikerstreit, Goldhagen-Debatte) und Erkenntnisse aus der Täterforschung etwas gefehlt. Dies ist aber auch Beweis dafür, dass sich das Buch nicht an ein akademisches, sondern ein breites Publikum richtet. Alles in allem eines der besten C.H. Beck Wissen Bändchen, das ich bisher gelesen habe.

[Patrick Belair · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a must read for any one interested in holocaust and ww2. Gives german view and is very good.

[Nial · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very good book but with harrowing facts about the Holocaust. It can be tough to read because of what actually happened and all the atrocities but this is a really good, quick look at the Holocaust.

[Ronan O’Neill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Horrifying. A smartly told concise history of the Holocaust, its brevity did not detract from its message. This would be a very suitable text for school students looking for more information without feeling that they are reading an academic treatise.

[Stefanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Super spannend wenn man sich für den holocaust interessiert, kurze Kapitel(find ich super)

[Meredith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some of the sentences are serpentine, but a decent quick intro to the Holocaust.

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Una delle letture più pesanti dell’anno un peso sullo stomaco

[Bob · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good way of looking at this.