Auschwitz

by Deborah Dwork, Robert Jan Van Pelt

"[A] peerless work of documentation and research that sheds new light on this century's darkest address."― Kirkus Reviews , starred review No symbol of the Holocaust is more profound than Auschwitz. Yet the sheer, crushing number of murders―over 1,200,000―the overwhelming scale of the crime, and the vast, abandoned site of ruined chimneys and rusting barbed wire isolate Auschwitz from us. How could an ordinary town become a site of such terror? Why was this particular town chosen? Who conceived, created, and constructed the camp? This unprecedented history reveals how an unremarkable Polish village was transformed into a killing field. Using architectural designs and planning documents recently discovered in Poland and Russia and over 200 illustrations, Auschwitz tells how this town became the epicenter of the Final Solution. A National Jewish Book Award winner. 24 pages of b/w illustrations

Genres: Holocaust, History, Nonfiction, World War II, Poland, Military Fiction, War

504 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1996

About the author

A renowned historian of Holocaust, Dwork is the Rose Professor of Holocaust History and Director of the Strassler Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies in the Department of History, Clark University, Worcester, Massachusetts.

Reviews

[Karen Mazzola · Rating 4 out of 5]

The details of this book are overwhelming. I was struck by the enormity of this project to write such an incredibly detailed account of the machinations of the "Nazi killing strategies", and explain in such detail the systemic planning involved. It is helpful to read this before Filip Mueller's memoir about life at Auschwitz working in the creamatorium. Certainly not to be considered "summer reading" but an essential part of my preparations for my trip to Europe.

[Hennie Peters · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great strength of this book is to give Auschwitz back Its place in history. No, ofcourse the Auschwitz concentration camp did not suddenly rise out of nothing. To understand how such a horrible place could come into existence: read this book.

[Adam L · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great historical review of how Auschwitz became what we know it as today. Really enjoyed this book.

[Micebyliz]

Review to come.

[Renate Brongers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Goed boek

[Cat. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't read every word of this, but this places Auschwitz (the camp) in a much bigger picture, which in turn makes the part of the Holocaust that happened there both more tragic, and also slightly less. Strange. But I hadn't realized that the purpose of that camp evolved over 5 years from Soviet POW camp to slave labor to genocide camp. In fact, it changed constantly during the course of the war. It's amazing that, in spite of very poor planning, so many people were so methodically murdered.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Obviously, not light reading. Very informative. I've visited Auschwitz I & Birkenau & have read memoirs & other histories of Auschwitz, & there were details included in this book that was new information for me. There are lots of reprinted diagrams & blueprints & personal accounts shared. I'm glad I read it.

[Courtney Himes · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a stunning collection of personal accounts from the death camp from War World II.

[Valery]

what did i think about what

[Brandon Ford]

Thank you to the authors for working to preserve the truth of the past.

[Mills College Library]

940.5318 D993a 2002