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novelesque_life's review against another edition
4.0
4 STARS
A brilliant look at the "Night of Broken Glass" that breaks your heart as Gilbert describes in detail.
A brilliant look at the "Night of Broken Glass" that breaks your heart as Gilbert describes in detail.
pelachick's review against another edition
5.0
Excellent book. Well researched. Many personal accounts.
This is a book that should be read quickly. You can begin to see what the witnesses see and feel what they feel. You can feel the desperation of those trying to leave Germany in the aftermath of Kristallnacht.
After reading this, I can't imagine how some people could act this way. Even if you are not much of a history fan, read this book. Discuss this with others.
This is a book that should be read quickly. You can begin to see what the witnesses see and feel what they feel. You can feel the desperation of those trying to leave Germany in the aftermath of Kristallnacht.
After reading this, I can't imagine how some people could act this way. Even if you are not much of a history fan, read this book. Discuss this with others.
kikiandarrowsfishshelf's review
4.0
Martin Gilbert collects and relates first hand experiences of Kristallnacht. At times, the book feels like a loosely connected series of mini-narratives, but it is so engrossing that this fact doesn't distance the reader. It should be noted that if Gilbert's footnotes are any indication some of the accounts came from letters that Gilbert recieved (most likely after solicting) from witnesses.
In addition to the first hand accounts, Gilbert goes into great deapth about the international reaction to Kristallnancht. At times the stories are despairly, others hopeful, and at least one, concerning the city of New York will promote a smile.
What comes across is the feeling of horror and helpless, of even anger on behalf of those mentioned in the book. Equally impactive are the maps in the back which show where the destruction took place. In many ways, these speak more than the actual narrative.
In addition to the first hand accounts, Gilbert goes into great deapth about the international reaction to Kristallnancht. At times the stories are despairly, others hopeful, and at least one, concerning the city of New York will promote a smile.
What comes across is the feeling of horror and helpless, of even anger on behalf of those mentioned in the book. Equally impactive are the maps in the back which show where the destruction took place. In many ways, these speak more than the actual narrative.
rbkegley's review
3.0
Somber accounting of the Kristallnacht anti-Jewish destruction throughout Germany and Austria on the eve of World War II. In a single night, SA and SS Nazi officials led civilian rioters in smashing and burning synagogues, Jewish-owned shops, and destroying the contents of homes occupied by Jewish families. From this point on, the net being drawn around Jewish citizens in Germany and Nazi-controlled areas accelerated. While some consulate officials in Germany tried to facilitate Jewish emigration, nations such as the United States placed barriers to entry just as the danger to Jews in Germany spiked. Once France and the UK declared war on Germany in September 1939, the trap was forever closed, sealing the fate of millions of Jews.
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