The Holocaust: Problems and Perspectives of Interpretation

This book is a collection of works concerning six different aspects of the Holocaust. Each chapter consists of a theme. These themes in turn are discussed and debated by a number of different authors/ historians who each share a perspective of an event or belief about the Holocaust.I really enjoyed reading this text for a number of reasons. First, I enjoyed the multiple perspective approach to each theme because it gave me a more well rounded view of the ins and outs of each topic. Normally when you read a historical book you only get the authors opinion, but by having a number of different authors write on the same subject and sharing their differing opinions I found it beneficial in forming my own. Secondly, I learned a lot from this book because of the range of topics that the author chose to include; from the origins to the possibility of rescue. Although it was sad to read some of the facts and accounts of the Holocaust told here I really gained a lot of insight into the more challenging aspects of the Holocaust such as: Jewish resistance and bystanders reactions.

Donald L. Niewyk's, THE HOLOCAUST: THIRD EDITION, is a wonderful up-to-date anthology on the current historical debates surrounding the interpretation and meaning of the Holocaust for the PROBLEMS IN EUROPEAN CIVILIZATION SERIES. Books from the PROBLEMS IN EUROPEAN CIVILIZATION SERIES are mainly designed for upper-level undergraduate and graduate level European history courses.Controversies are presented in a topical format and prominent Holocaust historians present their evidence. Thus enabling the reader to gain a well-balanced interpretation of the Holocaust. Topics and chapters covered: Origins of the Holocaust, Motivations of the Killers, The Holocaust Experience, The Problem of Jewish Resistance, Bystanders Reactions and Possibilities of Rescue.An excellent representation of Holocaust history.