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THE ARCHITECT OF GENOCIDE

Name: THE ARCHITECT OF GENOCIDE
Author: Richard Breitman
ISBN: 0-394-56841-9

HIMMLER AND THE FINAL SOLUTION

by Richard Breitman ‧ RELEASE DATE: May 9, 1991

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An able analysis by Breitman (History/American Univ.) of Heinrich Himmler and the Holocaust he helped to spawn. By examining the roles played by major Nazis other than Hitler-Goering, Frank, Goebbels, and particularly Himmler- Breitman seeks to shed light on some of the major points of contention among historians: Was the Final Solution always in contemplation, or was it improvised? Was it planned by Hitler, or did he merely set the engine in motion? Breitman concludes that the idea of executing Jews was an essential element of Nazi strategy from the beginning, but a comprehensive plan-The Final Solution-came only later. The evolution of the Holocaust had more to do, Breitman believes, with the terrain the Germans were fighting for (and the peoples that land contained), and the subsequent scope and methods of killing, than with any change from a moderate to radical goal. The author finds Himmler a much more formidable bureaucratic infighter than has previously been thought, easily outmaneuvering Goering and Frank and using his close relationship with Hitler-whom he consulted on matters large and small-and his ability at concealment and deception to attain his objectives. It is particularly striking to note the extreme care with which Himmler concealed what was actually happening in the Holocaust. This, Breitman shows, reflected Himmler's own attitude, which combined an accurate assessment of the political damage knowledge of the Holocaust would cause with an utterly unrelenting pursuit of his final objective. Chilling, expert history, which fails only in Breitman's apparent-and understandable-difficulties in trying to comprehend human beings capable of a Holocaust.

Pub Date: May 9, 1991

ISBN: 0-394-56841-9

Page Count: 352

Publisher: Knopf

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 1991

Categories:

PHILOSOPHY & RELIGION

- BOOK REVIEW
THE BERLIN MISSION
by Richard Breitman

- BOOK REVIEW
FDR AND THE JEWS
by Richard Breitman ; Allan J. Lichtman

ROSE BOOK OF BIBLE CHARTS, MAPS AND TIME LINES

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ROSE BOOK OF BIBLE CHARTS, MAPS AND TIME LINES

by Timothy Paul Jones ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 1, 2005

Worthwhile reference stuffed with facts and illustrations.

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A compendium of charts, time lines, lists and illustrations to accompany study of the Bible.

This visually appealing resource provides a wide array of illustrative and textually concise references, beginning with three sets of charts covering the Bible as a whole, the Old Testament and the New Testament. These charts cover such topics as biblical weights and measures, feasts and holidays and the 12 disciples. Most of the charts use a variety of illustrative techniques to convey lessons and provide visual interest. A worthwhile example is â€œHow We Got the Bible,” which provides a time line of translation history, comparisons of canons among faiths and portraits of important figures in biblical translation, such as Jerome and John Wycliffe. The book then presents a section of maps, followed by diagrams to conceptualize such structures as Noah’s Ark and Solomon’s Temple. Finally, a section on Christianity, cults and other religions describes key aspects of history and doctrine for certain Christian sects and other faith traditions. Overall, the authors take a traditionalist, conservative approach. For instance, they list Moses as the author of the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Hebrew Bible) without making mention of claims to the contrary. When comparing various Christian sects and world religions, the emphasis is on doctrine and orthodox theology. Some chapters, however, may not completely align with the needs of Catholic and Orthodox churches. But the authors’ leanings are muted enough and do not detract from the work’s usefulness. As a resource, it’s well organized, inviting and visually stimulating. Even the most seasoned reader will learn something while browsing.

Worthwhile reference stuffed with facts and illustrations.

Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2005

ISBN: 978-1-5963-6022-8

Page Count: -

Publisher: N/A

Review Posted Online: May 23, 2010

Review Program: Kirkus Indie

Categories:

PHILOSOPHY & RELIGION

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THE MYTH OF SISYPHUS

AND OTHER ESSAYS

by Albert Camus ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 26, 1955

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This a book of earlier, philosophical essays concerned with the essential "absurdity" of life and the concept that- to overcome the strong tendency to suicide in every thoughtful man-one must accept life on its own terms with its values of revolt, liberty and passion. A dreary thesis- derived from and distorting the beliefs of the founders of existentialism, Jaspers, Heldegger and Kierkegaard, etc., the point of view seems peculiarly outmoded. It is based on the experience of war and the resistance, liberally laced with Andre Gide's excessive intellectualism. The younger existentialists such as Sartre and Camus, with their gift for the terse novel or intense drama, seem to have omitted from their philosophy all the deep religiosity which permeates the work of the great existentialist thinkers. This contributes to a basic lack of vitality in themselves, in these essays, and ten years after the war Camus seems unaware that the life force has healed old wounds... Largely for avant garde aesthetes and his special coterie.