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4.58 AVERAGE
4.58 AVERAGE
This is a history of the concentration camps in and around Nazi Germany; it is not to be confused with a history of the Holocaust (though it does include the Holocaust). The concentration camps got their start in early 1933 when Hitler took control of Germany. This book was very well written and lays out the facts, with plenty of citations to back up what he says. The author wrote the book in a chronological format from 1933 onward, and includes a lot of eyewitness testimony from survivors, Nazi officers, and writings left behind. Though he presents a lot of facts that I thought I knew differently, there was never a point in time where I doubted what he had written because of the overwhelming evidence that he uses to make his case.
This book has a lot of elements that made me question what I already knew (or thought I knew) about Germany under Nazi rule. For example, the earliest concentration camps started long before World War II; and the earliest prisoners weren't Jewish but were political prisoners whose beliefs contradicted the Nazis. Also, the early camps were housed in vacant pubs, restaurants, and even a tugboat. Jews were actually somewhat late to the camps, coming in well after political prisoners, petty criminals, the handicapped, and Muslims. I remember being taught that there were only a few concentration camps, but again, this book contradicts this with well over 500 camps, including a bunch of satellite camps. There are simply too many details that I thought I knew differently, but there are far too many for me to list here. You will have to read it to learn as much as I did.
This book has a lot of elements that made me question what I already knew (or thought I knew) about Germany under Nazi rule. For example, the earliest concentration camps started long before World War II; and the earliest prisoners weren't Jewish but were political prisoners whose beliefs contradicted the Nazis. Also, the early camps were housed in vacant pubs, restaurants, and even a tugboat. Jews were actually somewhat late to the camps, coming in well after political prisoners, petty criminals, the handicapped, and Muslims. I remember being taught that there were only a few concentration camps, but again, this book contradicts this with well over 500 camps, including a bunch of satellite camps. There are simply too many details that I thought I knew differently, but there are far too many for me to list here. You will have to read it to learn as much as I did.
dark
emotional
informative
sad
tense
slow-paced
It feels strange to rate this as five-stars, but it’s a very well-written, well-researched book about a horrible thing.
Gave me nightmares
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Genocide, Antisemitism
dark
informative
medium-paced
dark
informative
reflective
slow-paced
will get back to this but for the mo it’s too long and not specifically related to my research
Stunning and comprehensive history of Nazi concentration camps. Very well written
challenging
informative
reflective
slow-paced
Content Warnings
Graphic: Genocide, Hate crime, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Racism, Torture, Violence, Xenophobia, Police brutality, Antisemitism, Religious bigotry, Medical trauma, Murder, War, Pandemic/Epidemic
Minor: Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicide, Cannibalism
If you read one book on the concentration camps in the Third Reich, this is the one. It shows the evolution of the camps over time in a compelling, interesting, and personal way. Having survivor testimony and memories helps make this book engaging and not dry. It also has perpetrator memories and testimony so this a balanced portrait of what the concentration camps were like.
Having prior knowledge is helpful but not necessary. I would recommend reading survivor memoirs in addition to this.
Having prior knowledge is helpful but not necessary. I would recommend reading survivor memoirs in addition to this.