A History of the Holocaust (Parkes-Wiener Series on Jewish Studies)

The Holocaust was unique within the context of the Second World War because Jews were disproportionately represented among the civilian casualties in that conflict. Over 50 million people died as a result of the application of total war, with 12% being Jews. Half of the victims in Nazi concentration camps were Jews, yet, at the time, Jews constituted less than 1/4 of 1% of the world's population. The Holocaust was unique within the context of Jewish history. While Jews endured persecution throughout history, Roman procurators, Saracen holy warriors, and inquisitors usually held out the prospect of survival to those who would convert. Not so with the Nazis. It mattered little whether the Jewish prisoner was an atheist, an Orthodox rabbi, a mother, or a small child. All Jews had to die. This reprint provides detailed account of what happened across Europe during the Holocaust, with balanced coverage of each country. It is intended as a textbook, not a philosophical interpretation of the Holocaust. Written in a highly accessible style, it is addressed to students and will inspire them to read more about the subject and to question the problems of the world.