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The Holocaust: Problems and Perspectives of Interpretation
For more than thirty years, students and instructors have depended on the Problems in European Civilization anthologies to provide authoritative and provocative surveys of major scholarly controversies in European history. New series editor Merry E. Wiesner, University of Wisconsin--Milwaukee, has continued that tradition by engaging expert authors to bring together the best research, including both classic studies and recent interpretations. Her new Editor's Preface to Students will offer the tools required to understand the unique format of this series--secondary sources organized around issues of historical debate.
---------- From Back Cover
---------- From Back Cover
278 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1992
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
March 25, 2019
An excellent summation of issues and perspectives from the Holocaust, I would recommend this highly to anyone looking for more information about the topic. Niewyk explores six different issues surrounding the Holocaust: The Origins (history of anti-Semitism, Hitler, etc.), the various actors who participated in the killings (Doctors, Hitler's army, ordinary men), the victim's experiences, the problems of Jewish Resistance, Bystander Reactions, and Possibilities of Rescue.
This book is essentially a collection of essays from a wide array of respected Holocaust historians who provide an array of opinions and studies regarding different experiences, possible motivations, and even some historical hypotheticals. It's an enlightening read about the world's most largest tragedy.
This book is essentially a collection of essays from a wide array of respected Holocaust historians who provide an array of opinions and studies regarding different experiences, possible motivations, and even some historical hypotheticals. It's an enlightening read about the world's most largest tragedy.
October 26, 2019
Overall, I found this book to be helpful for providing different perspectives and analysis on the Holocaust. It is organized into different chapters/categories of analysis around the Holocaust (ex. Could more have been done to prevent it?) and then provides three different articles written to give different perspectives. I will not be giving this a 5/5 because there were some articles published written by various authors who ended up not being academically credible, but there was a lack of mention of this in the readings. Definitely reminded my class why we cannot believe everything we read, even when it is presented in an academic way!
March 27, 2019
4/5
Giving it a 4/5 simply because this book isn’t exactly one someone would read for pleasure, as I myself read it for a class. It is however a very good summation and collection of Holocaust scholars and their opinions on the reasons behind and events leading up to the Holocaust and is a genuinely well edited and informational read.
It’s a perfect reference for those who are studying the subject but beware the price as it’s still considered a college text book
Giving it a 4/5 simply because this book isn’t exactly one someone would read for pleasure, as I myself read it for a class. It is however a very good summation and collection of Holocaust scholars and their opinions on the reasons behind and events leading up to the Holocaust and is a genuinely well edited and informational read.
It’s a perfect reference for those who are studying the subject but beware the price as it’s still considered a college text book
January 14, 2020
Provides an insightful perspective and analysis on the Holocaust, however not something I personally would chose to read, as I had to read this book for a class.
October 3, 2015
The Holocaust: Problems and Perspectives of Interpretation edited by Donald L. Niewyk is a collection of essays concerning various topics related to the Holocaust. It looks like a fourth edition was printed in 2010, but I'm basing my review on the third, which is the one I own.
The book is broken down into sections, and each part containing three or four essays on the topic the section focuses on. There is a lot of diversity between each of the essays included in any given topic, which lets the reader see what views authors have. The book is not limited to the research and opinions of historians; also included are political scientists and philosophers, among others. This does much to give readers a broader sense than restricting it to one discipline. Also, particularly as the book progressed, excerpts are chosen where the authors reference one another's work, agreeing or disagreeing (usually disagreeing) with what they've proposed.
Niewyk gives a short introduction to each chapter, but does not try to sway readers to agree with one view over the others, or entirely dismiss another. I think it's pretty fair to assume that one knows everything they need to know about the Holocaust already before picking it up. By that I mean, no extra reading about the topic is needed. I think we are all pretty knowledgeable about the topic, even if certain topics in the book maybe had not come to mind.
One draw back to this book is that you don't see any of the selected authors' sources for their work. Every once and a while a footnote will be given, but those are merely there to provide extra information to the reader since each part is being taken from an author's larger book or article. There were certainly times I wanted to see where someone was getting their information from, but that was not possible.
Also, a lot of the excerpts chosen are dated. No doubt some of these books were hugely important when they were published, and are still important now, but it just made me think - where does scholarship on these topics stand now? Some stuff in here goes back to the early sixties, and I think that's just too dated. There are only a handful of things from the nineties and maybe like one from 2000; this edition came out in 2003. Including these older works is fine, but I would have liked to seen more recent publications, as well, to provide a balance.
Overall, it's a pretty good book. Having a few vastly different essays for each section was a great idea and really gets you thinking about what ones you agree or disagree with. It also addresses many of the main points relating to the Holocaust.
The book is broken down into sections, and each part containing three or four essays on the topic the section focuses on. There is a lot of diversity between each of the essays included in any given topic, which lets the reader see what views authors have. The book is not limited to the research and opinions of historians; also included are political scientists and philosophers, among others. This does much to give readers a broader sense than restricting it to one discipline. Also, particularly as the book progressed, excerpts are chosen where the authors reference one another's work, agreeing or disagreeing (usually disagreeing) with what they've proposed.
Niewyk gives a short introduction to each chapter, but does not try to sway readers to agree with one view over the others, or entirely dismiss another. I think it's pretty fair to assume that one knows everything they need to know about the Holocaust already before picking it up. By that I mean, no extra reading about the topic is needed. I think we are all pretty knowledgeable about the topic, even if certain topics in the book maybe had not come to mind.
One draw back to this book is that you don't see any of the selected authors' sources for their work. Every once and a while a footnote will be given, but those are merely there to provide extra information to the reader since each part is being taken from an author's larger book or article. There were certainly times I wanted to see where someone was getting their information from, but that was not possible.
Also, a lot of the excerpts chosen are dated. No doubt some of these books were hugely important when they were published, and are still important now, but it just made me think - where does scholarship on these topics stand now? Some stuff in here goes back to the early sixties, and I think that's just too dated. There are only a handful of things from the nineties and maybe like one from 2000; this edition came out in 2003. Including these older works is fine, but I would have liked to seen more recent publications, as well, to provide a balance.
Overall, it's a pretty good book. Having a few vastly different essays for each section was a great idea and really gets you thinking about what ones you agree or disagree with. It also addresses many of the main points relating to the Holocaust.
April 17, 2012
This is an excellent selection of contemporary research and commentary about the Holocaust. Many of the most important Holocaust scholars are represented here along with some of the most important historical debates about the Holocaust. A standout chapter is the excerpt from Primo Levi's book "The Drowned and the Saved," which is part historical analysis, part recollection of his experiences in Auschwitz. This book has worked well in my college history course on Nazi Germany and would complement any course on this era of world history.
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September 25, 2015I found the butthurt surrounding the Gentile vs Jewish Pole debate to be hilarious, and rather eye opening. Goes to show you how even professional historians and authors can have a ridiculous perspective on things
April 24, 2007
look into the holocaust from many perspectives. comprehensive collection of essays, you would be shocked to read some of this information.
July 24, 2016
Complete theoretical positions of many historians of the Holocaust. Eceptional piece, though can be difficult. Must keep open mind.
February 28, 2013
Some interesting points of view, but some were strange.
April 5, 2017
This book is a compilation of essays from many scholars regarding many aspects of the Holocaust. The book has six sections, which are Origins of the Holocaust, The Motivations of the Killers, The Victims' Experiences, The Problem of Jewish Resistance, Bystander reactions, and Probabilities of Rescue. The text is very accessible since each essay is contextually situated at the beginning of each section, and the differing opinions in the discourse provide a lot of insight and ideas to ponder. If you are looking for a way to begin understanding issues, questions, reflections, or conversations about the Holocaust, then this is a good place to start.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews