Dialogues in Holocaust Studies and the Second World War

Send us Fan MailThis monograph presents a connected group of seven prominent women, ranging from notable figures such as Simone Veil to memory activist Sabine Zlatin, who have played a crucial role in shaping Holocaust memory in France from 1945 to the present. Most of these women initiated their memory work immediately after the war by offering testimonies at trials of perpetrators and during the establishment of memorials.Over the following decades, their endeavors transformed from individual memory projects into extensive, politically significant initiatives. Through their long-term engagement with Holocaust memory, these seven individuals ensured that the experiences of Jewish women were integrated into the larger narrative of wartime history. In doing so, they purposefully shifted the French discourse on the Holocaust from a concentration on victimhood and resistance to highlighting female agency in the struggle for survival during Nazi occupation.Together with other activists, these women emerged as political figures, urging the state to address the legacy of French complicity in the deportation of Jews. By utilizing a variety of archival materials, as well as cultural artifacts and oral histories, this study effectively demonstrates why the themes of gender, resistance, and memory remain profoundly relevant in French history.

Send us Fan MailAracy de Carvalho (1908-2011), celebrated as 'Righteous Among the Nations', played a vital role in saving German Jews by supporting their emigration to Brazil during the late 1930s while she was at the Brazilian consulate in Hamburg. One prominent individual she helped was Margarethe Levy (1908-2011), who emigrated to Brazil with her husband shortly after Kristallnacht. In the late 1970s, Levy honored Carvalho posthumously with the title of Righteous from Yad Vashem, as Carvalho had been her lifelong companion. This book primarily narrates the intertwined migrations of these two women between Brazil and Germany, emphasizing the enduring friendship that connected them. It also explores the migratory experiences of a group of German Jews, including Levy, who left Hamburg to create new lives in São Paulo.

Send us Fan MailThis represents a crucial new addition to Holocaust history, illuminating the lesser-known story of Mischlinge—an offensive term utilized by the Nazis to designate individuals of mixed Jewish and Christian descent, who were subsequently condemned and persecuted as Jews. This moving and dramatic true narrative is conveyed through the viewpoints of two children, the author’s uncle Heinz and her mother Edie.Heinz (Heini) and Edie Bernstein, a brother and sister, were only nine and five years old when Hitler rose to power. Although they were brought up as Christians in Berlin, they were soon classified as Mischlinge, a German term meaning mongrel—an epithet the Nazis used to legally categorize and belittle individuals. This label instilled terror in these innocent children, with the threat of death looming as they struggled for survival in Berlin. They experienced gradual exclusion from educational and employment opportunities, were interrogated at Gestapo headquarters, imprisoned, tortured, and forced into slave labor.Sharon was unaware of their remarkable story until she discovered a memoir hidden in a box in her mother’s Norfolk home, untouched for three decades. It contained her uncle Heinz’s firsthand account of events during the Holocaust and World War II, a narrative her mother had never revealed. Edie explained that she had built her joyful life by concentrating on the future rather than the past, but the discovery prompted her to finally share with her daughter. Sharon then embarked on extensive archival research, uncovering that some family members were not as fortunate.This narrative is both grand and deeply personal, detailing the experiences of an ordinary Berlin family as they navigate significant events of the twentieth century, reminiscent of a more tragic rendition of Forest Gump.It includes moments from performing at the 1936 Berlin Olympics to the atrocities of Buchenwald and Auschwitz, escape attempts, the death marches, romance in post-war London, the establishment of Israel, and crossing Checkpoint Charlie to experience both sides of the Berlin Wall.From demonstrating talent at the 1936 Berlin Olympics to facing the horrors of Buchenwald and Auschwitz, through attempts to escape, the death marches, and love in post-war London, the creation of Israel, and moving through Checkpoint Charlie to both sides of the Berlin Wall. This story is both engaging and surprisingly uplifting, filled with themes of resilience and hope, the bond between siblings, the everyday bravery of local individuals and families, as well as the unexpected kindness of strangers.

Send us Fan MailThis monograph examines Harbin, a Chinese city established by Russians in 1898, which became a melting pot for 38 different ethnic communities for more than 60 years. Notably, the Jewish community stood as the second largest among them. This book sheds light on various elements that shaped the Jewish experience in China, particularly in Harbin, providing a profound perspective on how a Jewish community flourished in a foreign environment while coexisting with other groups. Starting with the unique region of Manchuria that influenced Harbin, it unveils the lively and dynamic existence of a community in search of refuge, yet grappling with unrest and hostility, ultimately prompting them to seek safety elsewhere.

Send us Fan MailThis book sheds light on the lives, decisions, and experiences of countless Jews who, although not involved in the underground armed resistance, still made significant contributions to the renowned Warsaw Ghetto Uprising. This gripping and dramatic account focuses on the final year of the Warsaw ghetto, from the Great Deportation in the summer of 1942 until the uprising's suppression in mid-1943. Drawing from powerful contemporary testimonies, diaries, and documents—many of which have been previously overlooked—Havi Ben-Sasson Dreifuss illustrates how members of the broader Jewish community struggled to survive, uphold family and community life, and confront impossible moral choices in the face of fear, hunger, and daily violence. The book transcends the narratives of the fighters, presenting a story of devastation, yet also one of resilience and human dignity.

Send us Fan MailAcross all human cultures, beliefs, superstitions, and stories about luck are prevalent. Our fascination with luck, intertwined with happiness, danger, uncertainty, and aspiration, makes it a captivating yet elusive concept. Different cultures reinterpret luck and seek to control it throughout their histories, and the modern era of the 'long twentieth century' is no different. Although overshadowed by more precise scientific concepts like chance, contingency, probability, or randomness, luck continues to thrive in its chaotic and vibrant form, appearing in our daily conversations and being studied by a diverse range of experts, from philosophers and psychologists to economists and self-help authors. This study aims to delve into the mystery of luck's role in modernity, investigating the various hybrid forms it has adopted in contemporary thought, particularly within modern narratives. By analyzing a diverse and rich array of narratives from literature, film, music, television, and theater – spanning from Dostoevsky to Philip K. Dick, from Pinocchio to Cimino, and from Curtiz to Kieślowski – it outlines the uses and meanings of luck-related language, while also mapping the significant figures, patterns, and motifs that shape the stories told about luck from the late nineteenth century to today.The final part of this interview is dedicated to Robert Gordon’s earlier work, *Outrageous Fortune: Luck and the Holocaust* (New York: Centro Primo Levi, 2017). In this book, Gordon delves into the literary and philosophical themes surrounding luck, chance, and fortune, tracing their evolution from ancient myths to the writings of Dante, Boccaccio, Machiavelli, and Shakespeare. He investigates how Christian and Renaissance humanist authors redefined Fortuna, which influenced their thought processes and narrative techniques. In the latter sections of the book, Gordon transitions to the 20th century, uncovering fascinating and surprising connections between this literary tradition and the Shoah. He addresses the troubling issue of survival in concentration camps—who lived, why they survived, and what it signifies when Primo Levi often remarked that survival was ultimately a matter of sheer chance.

Send us Fan MailThis study leverages testimonies, oral histories, and recollections from Jewish, German, and Polish witnesses to construct a comprehensive representation of the Treblinka death camp during its operational years. This narrative disputes the historical belief that Treblinka was a solitary Nazi extermination camp with few witnesses and even fewer survivors. Instead of being the concealed, sanitized site of industrialized murder that Treblinka was designed to be, Jacob Flaws argues that the mass killings were widely recognized by the local townspeople, who were exposed to the sights, sounds, smells, individuals, corpses, and train cars that the camp released into the surrounding area. Through the concept of spatial reality, Flaws depicts the perceptions, fantasies, ideological assumptions, and memories of Treblinka from witnesses both within the camp and from the surrounding towns. To do this, he identifies six key spaces that historically made up Treblinka: the ideological space, the behavioral space, the space of life and death, the interactional space, the sensory space, and the extended space. By examining these spaces, Flaws reveals that there were more witnesses to Treblinka than previously acknowledged, as the transnational groups near and within the camp overlapped and interacted. This work offers a staggering and profound reassessment of the relationship between knowledge and ignorance, prompting us to confront the timely warning that we, in our modern, interconnected world, can all become witnesses.

Send us Fan Mail*Bridge Builder: My Life Since the Holocaust* serves as the fourth and final installment in Shimon Redlich’s autobiographical series, which began with *Together and Apart in Brezany* (2002). This first volume explores the relationships among Poles, Ukrainians, and Jews in his native town, as well as his experiences of survival during the Holocaust. The series continued with *Life in Transit* (2010), which recounts his family's move in postwar Lodz and their fresh starts in Israel. *A New Life in Israel* (2018) depicted his adjustment to life on a kibbutz and his service in the Israel Defense Forces. In *Bridge Builder*, Redlich contemplates his life from the late 1950s onward. This volume covers his academic journey from a student in Jerusalem and the United States to a professorship at Ben-Gurion University, his friendships, and his interactions with both Jewish and non-Jewish individuals in Eastern Europe, along with his distinctive viewpoint on controversial matters. In keeping with the previous volumes, *Bridge Builder* enriches Redlich’s personal narratives with comprehensive historical research.

Send us Fan MailThis family's account of the Holocaust in Serbia unveils a significant, previously unrecognized aspect of Holocaust history, alongside a daughter's unwavering quest to reveal the story that began a generation before her birth.From a young age, Julie Brill struggled to understand how her father survived as a young Jewish boy in Belgrade, where the Nazis annihilated 90 percent of the Jewish population without resorting to gas chambers or cattle cars.Through diligent research, a stroke of luck, and three meaningful trips to Serbia, she reconstructs her family's hidden history, uncovers concealed truths, and restores to her father a piece of what the Nazis took from him: his own family legacy.

Send us Fan MailErnst Kitzinger, a notable art historian of the twentieth century, was also a refugee who found himself detained in Hay, New South Wales during World War II. He sought asylum in Britain in 1935 as a German Jew, but in 1940, he became one of 2,500 men classified as 'enemy aliens' and was deported to Australia on the HMT Dunera. Kitzinger inspired his fellow internees to articulate their distinct experiences. Through impactful and often profoundly emotional prose and poetry, they reflected on their journeys and the difficulties faced by refugees. Their previously unpublished works continue to resonate strongly in contemporary times.

Send us Fan MailAs the Second World War loomed, it is estimated that 1.6 million Jewish children resided in Nazi-occupied Europe. While 10,000 of these children managed to escape to Britain through the Kindertransport, only around 500 found sanctuary in France. There, they endeavored to reconstruct their lives—but their refuge would soon become a trap. For the first time, this book unveils the experiences of these children, along with the Jewish and non-Jewish organizations that provided assistance. Utilizing survivor testimonies, children's diaries, letters, drawings, songs, and poems, this monograph reconstructs their complex journeys, including how some ultimately reached safety in America. Hobson Faure offers a poignant depiction of these children and their escapes, emphasizing their agency in the fight against Nazism—and interweaving the network of numerous supporters who aided them throughout their ordeal.

Send us Fan MailEven though the gun Adolf Hitler employed on himself in April 1945 was highly effective, the circumstances of his death took an unexpectedly lengthy course. The world was eager for information, but there were no witnesses to his suicide, and his body was never shown. This void allowed myths and survival tales to flourish, while rival intelligence agencies and propaganda muddled the investigations of historians who followed. In her investigation of the aftermath at the Führerbunker, Caroline Sharples offers the first cultural narrative of this pivotal yet elusive moment. The anticipation surrounding Hitler's death stirred a variety of emotions, leading governments and secret services to rush to confirm the news. This search for validation resulted in a wave of conspiratorial thought, and the final moments of Hitler's life have been reimagined ever since. This captivating and unsettling story challenges our understanding of a historical event we think we know—and provides a nuanced look at how history is recorded.

Send us Fan MailIn this monograph, Dariusz Jeziorny explores British diplomatic relations from 1933 to 1935, shedding light on London's viewpoint regarding the Eastern Pact and highlighting the reasoning and actions of British diplomacy within the framework of both European and global matters. Was His Majesty's Government truly invested in the success of the initiative promoted by Moscow and Paris? Did it grasp the motivations of its advocates? How did it react to the resistance from countries that were reluctant to accept such a matter? Who were London's primary negotiating partners? Can the Foreign Office be regarded as capable of tackling European challenges, especially those related to Eastern Europe? Were the earlier conclusions in academic literature correct in assessing the roles of certain powers in the failure of the Eastern Pact concept? Jeziorny tackles these inquiries through an in-depth analysis of governmental documents located in the National Archives in London, particularly the general correspondence of the British Foreign Office. He offers a captivating glimpse into the inner workings of British diplomacy and its perspectives on the French initiative.

Send us Fan MailThis study investigates the discourse on the Romanian national identity and race spanning from the 1880s to the 1950s. It asserts that in the early 1940s, anti-Semitism and anti-Roma racism were significant elements in the ethnic purification campaigns of the Ion Antonescu regime. The doctrines of racism and eugenics not only legitimized the deportation and extermination of Jews but also targeted the Roma. Consequently, the Holocaust in Romania should be interpreted as a result of both anti-Semitism and biopolitical nationalism. Finally, the book reveals that the eugenic ideal of the 'perfect' Romanian continued to exist after 1945, becoming part of the socialist vision of the 'new man' and the 'ideal' society that developed during the communist era.

Send us Fan MailThis book investigates the transnational initiatives and political activism of a Nordic social movement formed to resist the junta that seized power in Greece after the military coup of 1967. The focus is primarily on the anti-fascist aspects of the opposition movement.It demonstrates how the various committees established across the Nordic nations framed their resistance to the military regime as a continuation of the historical struggle against fascism. As a result, even in the midst of the profound ideological divide between the Soviet Union and the United States, Nordic politicians and activists were able to rise above political ideologies during the Cold War. While encompassing a broad political spectrum, the Norwegian, Swedish, and Danish Committees were largely shaped by social democratic members.Nevertheless, it is clear that despite their strong connections with social democratic governments, these anti-fascist activists were prepared to breach legal boundaries in their clandestine efforts to unify the Greek democratic opposition, advocating for the assassination of Junta officials and direct resistance actions within Greece. This book argues that the Nordic Committees on Spain and Greece fostered a collective anti-fascist identity. By labeling these regimes as fascist, the activists sought to rekindle the historical battle against fascism in a post-war setting.This transnational social movement gained momentum for its cause by evoking memories of the past, particularly the Spanish Civil War and the Nazi occupation of Denmark and Norway. The military coup in Greece was viewed as a 'critical juncture,' disrupting the established democratic order and heightening fears of fascism in Europe. This book is likely to attract scholars interested in anti-fascism, social movements, memory studies, and the far right.

Send us Fan MailThe liberation of the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp on April 15, 1945, was hailed as a major British triumph over Nazi Germany. Yet, for the 55,000 survivors of the 'Horror Camp', this newfound liberty was accompanied by profound grief: a quarter of them died in the following five weeks. For many who lived through it, liberation meant barbed wire, military control, and a different kind of imprisonment.Relocated to a nearby army barracks, which would soon evolve into Europe’s largest Jewish Displaced Persons’ camp, the survivors faced widespread illness, bureaucratic indifference, and an uncertain future. Josef Rosensaft, a Jewish political figure in the camp, characterized the first year of freedom as 'more oppressive to our souls than the years in the hell of Auschwitz and Belsen': “we saw before us a new kind of world, cold and strange”.This monograph reveals the untold narrative of the Belsen survivors. They refused to be seen merely as victims, opting instead to reclaim their agency, foster a community, and forge new lives from the ruins. Their story resonates today as millions of displaced people worldwide navigate the difficult terrain between rescue and true freedom.Listeners are invited to learn more about Nadia Wheatley's work on her website. Link: https://www.nadiawheatley.com.

Send us Fan MailOnce a powerful leader who prevented the disintegration of China and led the nation to triumph alongside the Allies during World War II, Chiang Kai-shek eventually found himself in exile following his defeat in the Chinese civil war in 1949. As attention turned to Mao Zedong’s communist policies, Chiang was relegated to the pages of history. In this examination, Grace C. Huang reassesses Chiang’s leadership and legacy by employing a remarkable and unfiltered collection of his diaries, telegrams, and speeches carefully compiled by his aides. She creates a new and engaging portrayal of this twentieth-century figure who advocated for a Confucian political approach based on shame to confront the Japanese invasion of China and promote unity among his fellow citizens. By also comparing Chiang’s responses to imperialism with those of Mao, Yuan Shikai, and Mahatma Gandhi, Huang broadens the implications of her findings to explore alternatives to Western nationalism and modernity, demonstrating how leaders of vulnerable nations can leverage significant cultural tools to inspire their people and cultivate a lasting national identity.

Send us Fan MailIn this monograph, Christopher Harrison delineates and contrasts the tactics used by two genocidal regimes engaged in warfare – the Ottoman Empire during World War One and Hungary under Axis control in World War Two – which instituted specific military service policies to seize and eradicate their targets amidst the disorder of modern warfare. Following this historical comparative examination, Harrison summarizes significant implications and ongoing issues. The conclusion provides insights into conscription practices by contemporary authoritarian regimes. By analyzing these histories and crises, the book suggests that multiple states are currently at risk of enacting genocidal conscription. While it is challenging and unlikely, due to political disincentives, the implications of this analysis consider reforms that may prevent states from repeating similar policies and actions in the future.

Send us Fan MailThis work offers an intriguing and unique viewpoint on the complex routes to resilience, narrating the saga of a large Jewish family that survived decades of intense trauma in the 20th century. In addition to exploring his family’s shared memories, which were interwoven with fabrications, misdirection, and whimsical creativity, the author employs archival sources and years of observations and interactions to reveal their diverse and shifting paths to persistence. These survivors were not, as is often assumed, inevitably weakened by profound trauma and the loss of security and tangible connections to their past. Instead, they succeeded in navigating the present, inventing lives with a wide array of personalities that emerged as a canvas of extremes, from the eccentric to the conventional, the humble to the triumphantly comedic, the conscientious citizen to the rebellious criminal. This is a refreshing look at painful experiences in twentieth-century history.

Send us Fan MailThe twentieth century saw two catastrophic world wars that resulted in the displacement of millions. Among those affected were numerous neuroscientists and biological psychiatrists from Nazi Germany and neighboring regions who had to flee during the 1930s and 1940s. A significant number of them found new homes in North America, where they made a lasting impact on the evolution of biomedical sciences. Focusing on the period from 1933 to 1989, this study investigates the enduring consequences of this forced migration on the scientific and medical landscapes in North America, as well as on the researchers themselves. Frank Stahnisch chronicles the journeys and careers of around four hundred German-speaking doctors, scientists, and researchers across two generations. Adjusting to new research environments in Canada and the United States, they contributed to the advancement of neuroscience, psychiatry, clinical psychology, and cognitive sciences, all while reconstructing their lives amidst numerous challenges such as cultural adaptation and the complexities of relicensing. Stahnisch delves into how generational dynamics, gender, international collaborations, refugee organizations, and national funding bodies influenced their experiences and impacted postwar remigration. This book offers a significant reevaluation of the brain gain thesis in migration studies by highlighting the working conditions and social integration of a prominent group of academic refugees in North America.

Send us Fan MailThis study delves into the intricate social and economic networks that this group navigated, highlighting the resilient yet informal connections between Jewish cattle traders and farmers, bonds so strong that not even relentless Nazi assaults could sever them. Stefanie Fischer employs a blend of social history, economic history, and sociology to confront the entrenched stereotype of the dubious Jewish cattle dealer. By emphasizing trust and social ties over mere economic trends, Fischer reveals the numerous contradictions that plagued the expulsion of Jews from Germany. This monograph scrutinizes the nuanced dynamics between Jews and non-Jews involved in economic and social exchanges. In doing so, Fischer reexamines prior perceptions of daily life under Nazi governance and uncovers innovative ways in which Jewish agency emerged as a pivotal force amid the exclusionary measures enacted in Hitler's Germany.

Send us Fan MailThis work tells the tale of Michael Katz, a Jewish boy who survived by hiding 'in plain sight' on the streets of Warsaw after escaping the Janowska concentration camp in Lviv (Lwow) during the Holocaust. He adopted a new name to fit in and became part of the Polish resistance. Michael participated in the Warsaw Uprising and was among the last 200 individuals to evacuate the city. This book unveils his remarkable story.

Send us Fan MailFor many years, the Holocaust in Bulgaria remained poorly studied, inadequately represented, and obscured by various political and economic agendas. A common myth arose, claiming that no Holocaust took place in Bulgaria. The narrative of the Jewish community that lived through these times has yet to be fully told. A combination of resistance and political and social factors enabled most Bulgarian Jews to survive the Holocaust, despite facing extremely difficult and harsh conditions. The Bulgarian government did not protect its Jewish citizens in Nazi-occupied Europe, leading to their deportation to Auschwitz. Jews living in territories annexed by Bulgaria were deported and later murdered in Treblinka. At least 12,000 Jews fell victim to Bulgaria's role in the Final Solution.The author, Jacky (Jacob) Comforty, was previously interviewed by Ari Barbalat on the *New Books in Jewish Studies* podcast regarding his prior book: Jack (Jacob) Comforty (with Martha Aladjem Bloomfield), *The Stolen Narrative of the Bulgarian Jews and the Holocaust*. Lanham, MD: Rowman and Littlefield, 2021.Link: https://newbooksnetwork.com/the-stolen-narrative-of-the-bulgarian-jews-and-the-holocaustLink: https://newbooksnetwork.com/more-on-bulgarian-jews-and-the-holocaust

Send us Fan MailIn this monograph, Dariusz Jeziorny explores British diplomatic relations from 1933 to 1935, shedding light on London's viewpoint regarding the Eastern Pact and highlighting the reasoning and actions of British diplomacy within the framework of both European and global matters. Was His Majesty's Government truly invested in the success of the initiative promoted by Moscow and Paris? Did it grasp the motivations of its advocates? How did it react to the resistance from countries that were reluctant to accept such a matter? Who were London's primary negotiating partners? Can the Foreign Office be regarded as capable of tackling European challenges, especially those related to Eastern Europe? Were the earlier conclusions in academic literature correct in assessing the roles of certain powers in the failure of the Eastern Pact concept? Jeziorny tackles these inquiries through an in-depth analysis of governmental documents located in the National Archives in London, particularly the general correspondence of the British Foreign Office. He offers a captivating glimpse into the inner workings of British diplomacy and its perspectives on the French initiative.

Send us Fan MailThe Nazi-Soviet War stands as the most extensive and savage theatre of the Second World War, waged between two of the most merciless regimes ever to have existed. Uniting twenty-four of the most distinguished historians from both German and Soviet backgrounds, this Cambridge Companion offers the most authoritative yet remarkably accessible guide to this conflict. Each chapter delves into a significant facet of the war, covering topics such as military strategy, the opposing forces and their campaigns, as well as issues of criminality, occupation, alliances, the home fronts, and the legacies and myths that emerged postwar. The authors illustrate that the Nazi-Soviet War was not only a conventional confrontation where millions of soldiers engaged in monumental battles, but also an unconventional conflict marked by the systematic murder of countless non-combatants by soldiers and security forces. It was a struggle over resources, industry, mobilization, administration, and public support, with ramifications that continue to influence discussions on European security to this day.

Send us Fan MailIn this insightful monograph, Robert Cribb and Sandra Wilson recount the narratives of twelve individuals who were convicted of war crimes in Allied courts in the Asia-Pacific region following the Second World War. Included is the story of a man who managed to escape prosecution. The crimes were committed in the Philippines, Burma, Thailand, Java, Malaya, Singapore, the Maluku Islands, New Guinea, and Japan. The characters examined range from senior figures—General Honma Masaharu, who was convicted for the notorious Bataan 'death march,' and Japan’s wartime prime minister Tōjō Hideki—to lesser-known individuals: a POW camp commander, a camp doctor, a Korean guard, a nurse charged with assisting in vivisection, a doctor convicted of cannibalism, a pimp, a Taiwanese interpreter, a businessman convicted of assault, an officer convicted of massacre, and another convicted of a single execution. Tsuji Masanobu, the man who escaped, was responsible for at least two massacres. He was eventually elected to parliament, indicating the willingness of some elements in postwar Japanese society to overlook wartime atrocities.The book examines the backgrounds and careers of each character and explains how they came to commit the acts for which they were convicted. It also considers their subsequent careers, if they survived (several were executed for their crimes). Based on years of meticulous research, the book brings to life the texture of individual action and experience in the tumultuous years of conflict and occupation during the Pacific War. The authors recognize Japanese cruelty but also suggest that most of the convicted war criminals were not inherently evil. Some were out of their depth or were forced into circumstances where they made poor decisions; some obeyed illegal orders or were caught in impossible situations in a war that Japan fought with insufficient resources. Ironically, the one who got away was probably the worst of them all.

Send us Fan MailBronia Feldman never anticipated becoming the cornerstone of an underground medical network, particularly not within the harsh confines of the HASAG munitions factory's forced-labor system in occupied Poland. In September 1942, she was forcibly separated from her family, arriving there completely overwhelmed by sorrow. The only thing strong enough to keep her going is the hope of saving others. Left behind in the Skarzysko-Kamienna ghetto are her husband and two young daughters. Her 13-year-old daughter, Hajuta, has been dispatched to a nearby labor camp. Seizing a rare chance to escape, Bronia manages to reach her daughter. After a brief reunion, she is faced with an agonizing decision: to flee into the woods and join the partisans or to return to the very place she has just escaped from.When they finally reunite months later, the moment is both miraculous and heart-wrenching. Hajuta is no longer the child Bronia remembers. Together, they endure even darker days as they are deported to Bergen-Belsen in January 1945. This true account of a Jewish mother and daughter stands as a testament to bravery, love, and the delicate thread of hope that kept them going. Amidst brutality and fear, they also experience fleeting moments of humanity. Through it all, both hold onto memories of the River Kamienna, where they once danced, played music, and dreamed of a brighter future. For Bronia and Hajuta, the river symbolizes more than just a memory; it represents a promise that they may one day return home. The introduction is penned by Menachem Rosensaft, an attorney, human rights advocate, professor of law, and a prominent figure in the Second Generation movement of children of Holocaust survivors.

Send us Fan MailThis study is both captivating and long overdue, focusing on a pivotal figure in modern European history. Josef Pilsudski emerged as the foremost advocate for armed Polish resistance against Tsarist Russian domination in the early twentieth century. During the Russo-Japanese War, he traveled to Japan to secure arms and funding for a Polish uprising. In World War I, he adeptly navigated a dangerous path. He formed the Polish Legion to ally with the Central Powers in their fight against the Russians. As the war neared its conclusion, he distanced himself from the Central Powers and achieved independence for Poland. After realizing his ambition of a free Poland, he engaged in a series of lesser-known conflicts with Ukraine and Lithuania, which are brought to light by Evan McGilvray. When it became evident that Bolshevik Russia was gearing up to invade Poland, Pilsudski initiated a pre-emptive strike in 1920. Although he initially found success, the Russians managed to gain the upper hand and were nearly at the gates of Warsaw before Pilsudski's brilliant counteroffensive resulted in 'the miracle of the Vistula,' reversing the situation.

Send us Fan MailThe twentieth century saw two catastrophic world wars that resulted in the displacement of millions. Among those affected were numerous neuroscientists and biological psychiatrists from Nazi Germany and neighboring regions who had to flee during the 1930s and 1940s. A significant number of them found new homes in North America, where they made a lasting impact on the evolution of biomedical sciences.Focusing on the period from 1933 to 1989, Great Minds in Despair investigates the enduring consequences of this forced migration on the scientific and medical landscapes in North America, as well as on the researchers themselves. Frank Stahnisch chronicles the journeys and careers of around four hundred German-speaking doctors, scientists, and researchers across two generations. Adjusting to new research environments in Canada and the United States, they contributed to the advancement of neuroscience, psychiatry, clinical psychology, and cognitive sciences, all while reconstructing their lives amidst numerous challenges such as cultural adaptation and the complexities of relicensing. Stahnisch delves into how generational dynamics, gender, international collaborations, refugee organizations, and national funding bodies influenced their experiences and impacted postwar remigration.Great Minds in Despair offers a significant reevaluation of the brain gain thesis in migration studies by highlighting the working conditions and social integration of a prominent group of academic refugees in North America.

Send us Fan MailElderly Jews represented one of the most at-risk demographics during the Holocaust; however, there has been a scarcity of scholarly and literary attention directed towards their experiences. They were frequently among the initial victims of Nazi murder, and their chances of enduring the physical hardships of persecution were significantly diminished. Editors Christine Schmidt, Elizabeth Anthony, and Joanna Sliwa, along with thirteen other scholars, focus on this overlooked group in their historical research, challenging alternative narratives in historiography and memory that predominantly highlight the destruction and despair linked to advanced age during the Holocaust. Although these chapters examine how age and physical limitations rendered older adults particularly vulnerable to violence and death, they also shed light on instances of life and agency amidst catastrophic conditions. This volume serves as a significant reclamation of history and memory, broadening our comprehension of the Holocaust and the human experience during acts of genocide.

Send us Fan MailThe Berlin book burning and the assault on Magnus Hirschfeld’s Institute for Sexual Science ("Institut für Sexualwissenschaft") in May 1933 are essential components of German memorial culture. Recently, there has been a resurgence and recognition of Magnus Hirschfeld (1868–1935) in Germany, resulting in many Germans becoming aware that this significant LGBT rights pioneer died in 1935 in exile in Nice, France, profoundly affected by the Nazis' obliteration of his life's work in Germany. This book is the first to meticulously document the events that transpired between 1932 and 1935 prior to Hirschfeld’s death, especially during the seven years that followed. Alongside detailing Hirschfeld’s last years in France, this work is the first biography of Karl Giese and Karl Fein, the key figures in the aftermath of Magnus Hirschfeld in France and Czechoslovakia.

Send us Fan MailLucia Ceci delves into the complex dynamics between the Catholic Church and Fascism. New insights from the Vatican Archives shed light on specific elements of this intricate relationship: Mussolini's ascent to power, the Ethiopian war, the racial legislation, and the distinctions between Pius XI and Pius XII. This book presents a detailed reconstruction of this encounter, clarifying the reasons that led Catholics to support a dictatorial, aggressive, and racist regime. In contrast to conventional historical divisions, the account begins with Mussolini's early years in the late nineteenth century and culminates with the swift collapse of his puppet regime in 1945. This perspective somewhat alters the perception of the exceptional nature of the ventennio. 

Send us Fan MailThis study delves into the intricate social and economic networks that this group navigated, highlighting the resilient yet informal connections between Jewish cattle traders and farmers, bonds so strong that not even relentless Nazi assaults could sever them.Stefanie Fischer employs a blend of social history, economic history, and sociology to confront the entrenched stereotype of the dubious Jewish cattle dealer. By emphasizing trust and social ties over mere economic trends, Fischer reveals the numerous contradictions that plagued the expulsion of Jews from Germany.This monograph scrutinizes the nuanced dynamics between Jews and non-Jews involved in economic and social exchanges. In doing so, Fischer reexamines prior perceptions of daily life under Nazi governance and uncovers innovative ways in which Jewish agency emerged as a pivotal force amid the exclusionary measures enacted in Hitler's Germany.

Send us Fan MailMost studies on Ukrainian nationalism during the 20th century concentrate on the OUN and UPA and their military efforts for Ukraine’s independence. Ernest Gyidel’s book is distinct. It addresses a lesser-explored aspect of nationalism's history, specifically its public manifestation in the legal press during the German occupation in World War II. He examines *Krakivski Visti* (Cracow News)—the primary Ukrainian newspaper of the General Government—as a case study because of its unique position of being less affected by German censorship. Gyidel guides us through various nationalistic expressions, ranging from articles criticizing Poles, Jews, and Russians to writings that honor prominent Ukrainian authors, commemorate national sacrifices, and address the dangers of mixed marriages. He emphasizes that the narrative of Ukrainian nationalism was crafted not only by those wielding weapons but also by those using typewriters and printed words.

Send us Fan MailIn the 1940s, Spain experienced a devastating famine that claimed the lives of at least 200,000 people due to hunger and malnutrition-related illnesses. This book provides a political framework for understanding the famine, bringing together a diverse group of academics from Spain, the UK, the US, and Australia. It discusses various aspects, including the political roots of the famine, its physical and social effects, the survival methods adopted by Spaniards, the regime's unwillingness to accept international aid, the politics of cooking amid scarcity, and the legacy of the famine.This volume challenges the ongoing silence and misrepresentation surrounding the famine. It reveals the harsh truth of how lives were lost in Spain because the Francoist authorities enforced a policy of food self-sufficiency (or autarky), which included price controls and restrictions on food transport and sales. The contributors outline the significant decline in food production that followed, the widespread hoarding that occurred, and the emergence of a vast and deeply unjust black market during a time when wages fell to 50% below their 1936 levels—factors that are explored in detail for the first time in this work.

Send us Fan MailBetween 1932 and 1933, millions of Ukrainians were subjected to enforced starvation.  This sorrowful famine, now referred to as the Holodomor, is recognized as one of the most atrocious events in the history of the Soviet Union and the broader narrative of the twentieth century.  The Holodomor is an essential chapter in both Ukrainian and Soviet history, yet its importance in the global historical context is not as well understood. Although much has been documented about the intentions behind the famine, its genocidal aspects, and its impacts within Ukraine, there is a notably smaller volume of research that examines how the Holodomor was influenced by and influenced global economic, political, and international dynamics during the 1930s. The famine was widely reported in the media across the globe and became a topic of discussion among governments and world leaders. It turned into a crisis that captured the attention of observers from every continent. This assembled volume is the first to explore the history of the Holodomor from a global viewpoint.The chapters present various perspectives on famine through a multidisciplinary approach, enabling us to confront the global effects of mass starvation in Ukraine from 1932 to 1933 and to appreciate them on a scale that goes beyond the borders of Ukraine and the Soviet Union.

Send us Fan MailThis book examines the revival of Jewish communities in two post-war European cities – Wrocław (WOs-VOW), Breslau, which changed from Germany to Poland in 1945, and L'viv, which transitioned from Poland to the Soviet Union.These revival efforts were supervised by two distinct Communist regimes. The book contrasts the similarities and differences in the policies of these two nations.Regrettably, the attempts to restore a vibrant Jewish life were not successful in either case. This study clarifies why the efforts to build communities that identified as Jewish and were loyal to the Communist state did not succeed.After analyzing the prewar history and the wartime destruction of Jews in German Breslau and Polish Lwów, the book explores the postwar regimes' attempts, with the assistance of Holocaust survivors, to recreate Jewish life. It reviews the history of these developing communities up to 1968 in Wrocław (WOK-VOW) and into the 1970s in L'viv.The comparison is made in five interconnected contexts. These include the official policies towards Jews from the governments of the Polish People's Republic and the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic, the local application of these central policies, the specific national frameworks of Jewish life in communist Poland and Soviet Ukraine, the influence of popular and official antisemitism on postwar Jewish communities in Wrocław (WOs-VOW), Breslau, and L'viv, and the consequences of the economic and social modernization of the Communist regimes for local Jewish communities.

Send us Fan MailThis memoir recounts the story of Alex and Mela Roslan, a typical yet brave Polish family, who assist Jewish brothers in fleeing the Warsaw Ghetto. They develop a strong relationship and safeguard them throughout the Holocaust, persevering together through the difficult post-Holocaust years in Europe—a region plagued by increasing antisemitism.

Send us Fan MailThis is the first book, at least within the Hungarian context, that narrates the experiences of a larger group of ordinary individuals during the Holocaust. There were approximately 20,000 building managers, or as we might refer to them using the French term, concierges (in the current US context, the closest equivalent might be a superintendent).This book delves deeply into their wartime actions, placing them within the context of 1944, a year when Budapest faced tragedy following the Nazi German occupation in March, and subsequently the Arrow Cross takeover in October 1944.To achieve this, the author clarifies that all these individuals came from rural areas: they were relatively impoverished, first-generation residents in Hungary's only metropolis, the sole true modern city.Their establishment in the city was closely linked to the building owners who provided them with free accommodation—the concierge's lodge—but nothing beyond that, as they received no real salaries.Rather than regular wages, they relied on tips and payments from tenants, a tradition that gained particular significance when concierges had to make difficult choices about which tenants to assist in their survival—they simply could not help everyone. On the contrary, many tenants remembered them as complicit helpers of the Nazis, enforcing anti-Jewish regulations on the residents of the apartment buildings, especially those in the ghetto.Thus, in many respects, this is a distinctive narrative that readers would find valuable, as it sheds light on fundamental aspects of human nature.

Send us Fan MailThis memoir about the Holocaust shows how people can be good even when faced with terrible evil. It's a powerful story of bravery and kindness. This book -- The Courtyard -- reminds us that even in the darkest times, a small group can really make a difference.In Nazi-occupied Paris, a Jewish family is kept safe by their working-class neighbors.It's 1937, just before World War II starts, and young Bernard lives with his Polish-immigrant family in a working-class courtyard in Paris. There aren't many other Jews around, but the Parkiets feel welcomed and at home in this lively place filled with interesting characters. For Bernard, the courtyard is both a home and a playground; a magical spot where he sees his dad varnish furniture, gets into trouble with grumpy neighbors, and shares pain au chocolat with his best friend Titi.When the Germans take over Paris, everything changes for Bernard. Just hours before the Nazis come to arrest the Parkiet family in July 1942, their neighbors come together to help them. The family hides in an empty warehouse, and the courtyard turns into a safe haven. With their lives turned upside down, it's up to nine-year-old Bernard to leave the courtyard every day to find food for his family. Even with the neighbors looking out for them, danger is everywhere – even in some parts of the courtyard itself.

Send us Fan MailThe obliteration of Trochenbrod, the sole Jewish town outside of Israel, stands as a largely neglected tragedy of the Holocaust. This book gathers a remarkable array of poems, essays, and letters penned by Yisrael Beider, a native of Trochenbrod and a descendant of a long line of rabbis that can be traced back to the "Maharal of Prague." Beider lost his life during the Holocaust, yet these writings endured, becoming rare artifacts that emerged from Trochenbrod. While Beider did publish some of his works in notable Hebrew and Yiddish publications, the majority of his writings remain largely unrecognized. This translation compiles the complete surviving collection to illuminate Beider's literary and historical contributions, as well as to offer a firsthand account of life in Trochenbrod and western Ukraine during the interwar period.

Send us Fan MailThis book--*Survival Under Dictatorships: Life and Death in Nazi and Communist Regimes*--presents a complex view of how people responded to government abuse of power during three horrific events in East-Central Europe's past.  These events unfolded over roughly a decade: first, the deportation and murder of Hungarian Jews in Nazi concentration camps; next, the brutal rule of the Arrow Cross in Budapest; and finally, the Stalinist terror that affected Hungary and its neighboring regions.  László Borhi examines survival to grasp how individuals interact with authority, aiming to understand how ordinary people dealt with the oppression and fear brought on by unchecked power.  Although the specific time and place were distinct, the Hungarian narratives offer us universal insights into the Holocaust, Nazism, and Stalinism. The author argues that the experiences of National Socialism and Stalinism are intertwined in many respects.  Both regimes sought to defend their visions of the future against social groups they considered threats, which they believed had to be eradicated for a flawless society. Moreover, the methods of National Socialism were carried over.  Even with Stalinism being imposed on them by an external force, some of the skills necessary for survival were learned from their previous horrific experiences.

Send us Fan MailIn this work, Susanne Paola Antonetta explores the overlooked history of eugenics and its ties to contemporary mental health practices and politics in the United States, illustrating how we can leverage our past to inspire change.In 1939, the eugenics movement, which was gaining momentum across the West, reached its most horrific peak in Nazi Germany. The Aktion T4 euthanasia program turned five asylums and an abandoned prison into gas chambers. Tens of thousands of lives—mainly adults with neuropsychiatric disorders—were lost in these facilities, ultimately setting the stage for the atrocities of the Holocaust.Antonetta points out that psychiatry’s “Bible,” the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, or DSM, was developed by a group of psychiatrists who referred to themselves as “neo-Kraepelinians,” in tribute to Emil Kraepelin—the German psychiatrist who advocated for eugenic theories and trained some of the most notorious Nazi doctors. She also highlights that the current discourse surrounding immigration serves as a painful reminder of a time in our nation when immigrants were deemed mentally “impaired,” with their alleged genetic “inferiority” used as justification for barring their entry.Yet, while Antonetta addresses the bleakest aspects of psychiatric history, she presents a courageous vision for the future of mental health care, intertwining her personal experiences with psychosis and illuminating the narratives of Paul Schreber and Dorothea Buck, two historical figures who exemplify models for mental care and acceptance.This compelling investigation navigates the range of neurodiversity, from the tragic effects of dehumanization to the life-changing possibilities of understanding and acceptance. In this book, Antonetta not only reveals the shortcomings of our history but also imagines a more compassionate and enlightened approach to mental health care. This narrative embodies tragedy, resilience, and hope—a call to action for change that boldly challenges the boundaries of how we define, characterize, care for, nurture, and support those affected.

Send us Fan MailIn his seminal work, The Concentration Camp Brothel: Forced Sexual Labor Under Nazi Rule, Robert Sommer reveals the hidden atrocities of sexual forced labor within the SS camp system, a subject that has been largely neglected and seldom addressed in Holocaust discussions. Through his comprehensive research involving over seventy archives and poignant interviews with more than thirty survivors, including former clients of camp brothels, Sommer crafts a powerful and harrowing depiction of the horrors that occurred. This publication is the first to offer a detailed analysis of the establishment, operation, and significant impact of brothels in Nazi concentration camps. Sommer’s investigation meticulously details how these brothels were incorporated into the concentration camp system, their role in the Nazi regime's exploitation of individuals for control and profit, and the complex reactions of the prisoner community to these establishments. He explores the desperate survival strategies employed by women forced into sexual labor and the chilling motives of their oppressors. The book also contextualizes the tragedy of camp brothels within the broader narrative of sexual violence during the Nazi period, establishing an essential connection between these acts of exploitation and the wider history of the Holocaust. This updated English edition presents new insights and perspectives since the original German publication in 2009, providing a more comprehensive understanding of the subject matter. The foreword by Annette F. Timm adds further context and contemporary analysis, enhancing the book’s importance and depth.This interview introduces listeners to the findings Sommer presents in his research.