Ruin's Wheel: A Father on War, a Son on Genocide

by G. Jan Colijn

Neither conventional history nor standard survivor's memoir, Ruin's Wheel is a Dutchman s chronicle and reflection on the shocking epoch in Dutch history and its aftermath when the Germans marched into Holland in the early morning of May 10, 1940, and his son s desire to set his text in the context of genocide. Part One is a moving thrice born account of Jan Colijn, Dean of General Studies, the Richard Stockton College of New his natal origins in descriptions of boyhood and adolescent years in Holland; his life in America to pursue graduate work and ultimately an academic career; and, at the death of his mother, his return home to encounter again the painful cycle of WW II memories. Part Two is Izaak Colijn's testimonial diary, which speaks to the function and dysfunction of the Dutch state and society during the Nazi years. Part Three and the book's Appendix elaborate on Jewish victimization and genocidal acts then and now, and attempt a detailed answer to What Have We Learned about Genocide? What emerges from pater et fils is that ever-n-again thinking people are the surest antidote to societal evil.

Hardcover

First published March 31, 2006