The Good Old Days: The Holocaust as Seen by Its Perpetrators and Bystanders

This book really makes one shiver. I have read a number of books on the holocaust and World War 2 and this book absolute is the rawest of the books covering the genocide. That is not to say the book had a blow by blow account of the methods of killing, but just the history of this group of solders and the off handed way the mass killing was described. The people doing this killing were just normal guys, not unlike friends, family or myself. Wow, it is just amazing to me the way they try to justify what they were in charge of, the crimes against humanity that they committed. That is what was so disturbing to me. It is much easier to think that the mass killing was done by some group of homicidal maniacs let out of the asylum and given guns that that is not the case. The details you get here are very hard to take once you have finished the book and think about it. This is one of the few books that for weeks after I finished it I would continue to think about it I do not think I can recommend this book enough; it really gives you a feel for the tremendous crime that took place. You will not be able to stop reading the book until you have completed it. I could go on and on. Even if you are not overly interested in WW 2 or the Holocaust you should read this book, there is no way you will not be griped by it.

Read it but be careful! The abyss will look back at you. The reports, letters and diary excerpts... This is really the backside of the nazi grandiose facade. Not forget the Holocaust? This book will never let you forget.

"The Good Old Days" caught my eye upon seeing the cover photo. It depicts several Germans in WWII uniforms at a "Gasthaus" enjoying a few beers, with relaxed and unconcerned expressions. The title was perfect for the content.Being in the military, and stationed in Germany when I purchased the book, I was interested in the subject that was never talked about by my closest German friends. Now, I know why my German friends never discussed the war.This book is a collection of diaries, official and personal letters, and eyewitness accounts of answers to the "Jewish Question". There is no hearsay or rumors. It is a cold, hard, and blunt account of the extreme cruelty that people are capable of. This is an excellent piece of history that is rarely seen in the U.S. It doesn't contradict the facts regarding the Jewish extermination. Rather, it makes you understand what it was like to be the "bad guy".The old "I was only following orders" defense is put to rest. A common theme was that the people who took part in the extermination knew that they could refuse. Without any punishment. However, the persons portrayed in the book, felt it was their duty. And some even enjoyed it. The majority of the documents used in this book appear to be written with no emotion. As if accounting for the number of dead, was just another boring task of completing the daily "red tape".It makes you wonder. If you were in their shoes, would you do the same?