Auschwitz: A New History

( 35 )

Overview

"Auschwitz is the site of the largest mass murder in human history. Yet its story is not fully known. In Auschwitz Laurence Rees provides a devastating and shocking portrait of the most infamous death camp the world has ever seen. He reveals new insights from more than 100 original interviews with Auschwitz survivors and Nazi perpetrators who speak on the record for the first time. Their testimonies expose the inner workings of the camp in unrivalled detail - from the techniques of mass murder, to the bizarre microcosms that emerged within the
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More About This Book

Overview

"Auschwitz is the site of the largest mass murder in human history. Yet its story is not fully known. In Auschwitz Laurence Rees provides a devastating and shocking portrait of the most infamous death camp the world has ever seen. He reveals new insights from more than 100 original interviews with Auschwitz survivors and Nazi perpetrators who speak on the record for the first time. Their testimonies expose the inner workings of the camp in unrivalled detail - from the techniques of mass murder, to the bizarre microcosms that emerged within the camp, such as the brothel and dining hall, where the lines between guards and prisoners became surprisingly blurred." Auschwitz is a history we cannot afford to ignore, first because history that is ignored is liable to be repeated, and second because we should never allow ourselves to be persuaded that mankind is somehow today incapable of such unspeakably cruel acts. Auschwitz is not only the story of one singular camp where more than one million people were murdered, but also a timely reminder about the indelible human potential for committing evil.
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Editorial Reviews

Don Von Drehle
Laurence Rees's compact, devastating new history of the infamous death factory distills a crucial lesson -- perhaps the crucial lesson -- of the 20th century: that the human capacity for mass murder is grotesquely widespread and must be faced squarely if we hope to resist it.
— The Washington Post
Publishers Weekly
This pathbreaking work reveals the "destructive dynamism" of the Nazis' most notorious death camp. Rees, creative director of history programs for the BBC, consistently offers new insights, drawn from more than 100 interviews with survivors and Nazi perpetrators. He gives a vivid portrait of the behind-the-scenes workings of the camp: for instance, of how a sympathetic guard could mean the difference between life and death for inmates, and the opening of a brothel to satisfy the "needs" of sadistic camp guards. But this is more than an anecdotal account of Nazi brutality. Rees also examines, and takes a stand on, controversial issues: he argues, for instance, that bombing the camp's train tracks wouldn't have saved many Jews. Nor does he overlook stories of individual acts of kindness or the Danes' rescue of their Jewish community. Rees (The Nazis: A Warning from History) gives a complete history of the camp-how it was turned over time from a concentration camp into a death factory where 10,000 people were killed in a single day. Indeed, his argument for incrementalism at Auschwitz mirrors his larger claim that the "Final Solution" came about in an ad hoc fashion, as top Nazi officials struggled for a way to implement their virulent anti-Semitism. Some scholars have made this argument, and others reject it, but the depth and wealth of detail Rees provides make this treatment highly compelling. 16 pages of b&w photos not seen by PW. Agent, BBC. (Jan.) FYI: This book is the companion to a documentary that PBS will air in three two-hour segments, on January 19, January 26 and February 2. Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.
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Product Details

  • ISBN-13: 9781567319460
  • Publisher: MJF Books
  • Publication date: 3/20/2009
  • Pages: 327
  • Sales rank: 199
  • Product dimensions: 8.30 (w) x 5.50 (h) x 1.60 (d)

Meet the Author


Laurence Rees is Creative Director of History Programs for the BBC and author of five books, including The Nazis: A Warning from History and Horror in the East: Japan and the Atrocities of World War II. He lives in London.
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Table of Contents

1 Surprising beginnings 1
2 Orders and initiatives 57
3 Factories of death 109
4 Corruption 165
5 Frenzied killing 219
6 Liberation and retribution 259
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Customer Reviews

Average Rating 4
( 35 )
Rating Distribution

5 Star

(19)

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(11)

3 Star

(2)

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See All Sort by: Showing 1 – 20 of 35 Customer Reviews

  • Posted Tue Oct 06 00:00:00 EDT 2009

    I Also Recommend:

    The Butcher of Lyon: The Story of the Infamous Nazi Klaus Barbie
    Kristallnacht: Prelude to Destruction
    The Devil's Disciples: Hitler's Inner Circle

    What Nazi really means

    As I watch the various news channels, I am consistently amazed at how freely individuals toss around the epithets "Nazi", "Socialist", "Communist" etc. Anyone who has seriously studied and read about specifically the horrors of the National Socialist agenda of Adolph Hitler could not realistically apply that term as easily as they do. I would strongly reccommend that anyone with a more-than-passing interest in current affairs read this book to place in context the application of a libel such as "Nazi" before handpainting a sign to express outrage about a particular program or person. I would not have considered for a moment applying a term such as this to President Bush, despite my serious and essential disagreements with almost all of his policies. If someone just want to toss language around that they have no idea what it really means, there is little that can be done about it. But knowing what you're talking about and what the words that you are using imply or mean makes an individual's position so much more credible.

    11 out of 18 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted Wed Sep 02 00:00:00 EDT 2009

    Auschwitz is a riveting book.

    I have read many books about World War II and the Holocaust and I have to say that this book was the best that I have ever read. I was concerned that the material would be too dry and "research-like." The author has done a great amount of research and interviews with the "survivors," Nazi soldiers, as well as, people who lived near the concentration camps. The book did not "excuse" this atrocity but presented all perspectives and the humanity and inhumanity of the time. Definitely not a "light read" but an important read for those of us who like to understand more.

    5 out of 6 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted Wed Oct 12 00:00:00 EDT 2011

    Well written

    I actually read this book a few years ago but since it has been update I might have to read it again. It was well written and as with most books on this subject it leaves you feeling depressed afterwards but it is still a very important part of world history.

    4 out of 5 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted Sun Feb 28 00:00:00 EST 2010

    A book everyone should read

    This book should be read by everyone. Its amazing to think there are people out there that can treat other people the way this book tells about. Its hard for a normal person to understand how others can act so inhuman towards people who they think are below them. The saddest thing is what happened in this book is still going on in different parts of the world right now. You would have thought we would have learned from history, but some have'nt and probally never will.

    3 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted Sun Jan 03 00:00:00 EST 2010

    more from this reviewer

    I Also Recommend:

    Gulag: A History
    Hitler's Private Library: The Books That Shaped His Life
    Doctors from Hell: The Horrific Account of Nazi Experiments on Humans

    The book was well done, but the DVD puts the words into a breathtaking experience.

    Read the book - then purchase the DVD.

    2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted Fri Feb 15 00:00:00 EST 2008

    Detailistic

    I'm in the middle of this book and it has been amazing. The author uses eye witness accounts of the happenings in the camp. The author does an amazing job at talking about how the camp's history came to be what it is known as today and what it was like earlier in the war. Very sad book, but very interesting.

    1 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted Wed Dec 12 00:00:00 EST 2007

    A reviewer

    This book is unique because the details are so extraordinary. You gain insight to the thoughts and views of all who were involved. It is an eye-opening read that I highly recommend.

    1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted Wed May 29 00:00:00 EDT 2013

    Auschwitz A New History

    This book is amazing!

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  • Posted Mon Mar 25 00:00:00 EDT 2013

    more from this reviewer

    Excellent

    Amazing story of life and death in the concentration camp.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted Wed Jan 16 00:00:00 EST 2013

    .

    .

    0 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted Wed Aug 08 00:00:00 EDT 2012

    Good Read

    Well written and a good read with new interesting views.

    0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted Sat Aug 01 00:00:00 EDT 2009

    Very nice book.

    A very good book. Enlightening and detailed. Highly recomended for World War II enthusiast. A great historical book and a good reference for the next generation to come.

    0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted Thu Jul 16 00:00:00 EDT 2009

    I Also Recommend:

    Pride and Prejudice (Barnes & Noble Classics Series)

    :)

    this is a great book!!!
    it includes testimonies from nazis to jews and other victims...

    0 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted Tue Jan 20 00:00:00 EST 2009

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    Posted Fri Oct 31 00:00:00 EDT 2008

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    Posted Wed Dec 29 00:00:00 EST 2010

    No text was provided for this review.

  • Anonymous

    Posted Wed Mar 23 00:00:00 EDT 2011

    No text was provided for this review.

  • Anonymous

    Posted Sat Apr 13 00:00:00 EDT 2013

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  • Anonymous

    Posted Mon Apr 23 00:00:00 EDT 2012

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  • Anonymous

    Posted Tue Jun 30 00:00:00 EDT 2009

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