Demonstrates that traditional beliefs about migration are really modern myths
Steve Hochstadt Livres
The Holocaust was the defining trauma of the 20th century. How do we begin to understand the Nazi drive to murder millions of people, or the determination of concentration camp prisoners to survive? This new and improved edition of Sources of the Holocaust brings together over 90 original Holocaust documents and testimonies to put the reader into direct contact with the genocide's human participants. From the origins of Christian antisemitism and the creation of monstrous 'Others' to the immediate aftermath of these crimes against humanity and the rise of right-wing ideologies in the 21st century, this book is structured both chronologically and thematically in order to clearly explain the ideas that made the Holocaust possible, how people mounted resistance at the time, and the Holocaust's legacy today. On top of this unparalleled access to the voices of the Holocaust, Steve Hochstadt's authoritative and scholarly commentaries on each source ensures readers gain a comprehensive understanding of this terrible episode in human history. Shocking and compelling, this carefully curated collection of primary sources is the definitive account of Holocaust experiences and vital reading for all scholars of modern European history.
Through a collection of op-ed columns, the author reflects on critical issues shaping 21st-century America, including family dynamics, social justice, and political integrity. Drawing from his experiences in Jacksonville, Illinois, he intertwines personal narratives with broader political commentary, offering insights into economic inequality, climate change, and cultural challenges. Hochstadt's work serves as a bridge between national discourse and the everyday realities of small-town life, showcasing how local perspectives can illuminate larger societal themes.
The narrative follows Kurt and Sonja Messerschmidt, a couple who met in Nazi Berlin, married in the Theresienstadt ghetto, and endured the horrors of Auschwitz. Despite the daily death surrounding them for two years, they focused on building their life together. Their poignant words forge a personal connection with readers, making their harrowing experiences feel intimate and immediate, as if sharing their story in a cozy living room setting.
Mehr als 15.000 Juden sind kurz vor Beginn des Zweiten Weltkrieges nach Shanghai geflohen. Shanghai war der letzte Ort, den jüdische Flüchtlinge vor der drohenden Vernichtung durch die Nazis unter oft abenteuerlichen Umständen erreichen konnten. Ihr Leben im Exil, auch nachdem die Japaner für sie ein Ghetto im Stadtteil Hongkou errichteten, verlief unter unglaublichen Entbehrungen und oftmals menschenunwürdigen Bedingungen. Doch half dieses Exil, Leben zu retten. Nach mehr als acht Jahren Überlebenskampf kehrten im Juli 1947 nahezu 650 Exilanten nach Mitteleuropa zurück. Lange Zeit haben die „Shanghaier“ über ihr Exilschicksal geschwiegen. Es ist dem amerikanischen Historiker Steve Hochstadt - seine Großeltern aus Wien lebten zehn Jahre in Shanghai - zu danken, die ehemaligen Shanghai-Flüchtlinge und ihre Kinder zum Erinnern und Sprechen gebracht zu haben. Aus mehr als 100 Interviews hat er zwölf Erzähler ausgewählt, deren Äußerungen er authentisch wiedergibt.