Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Deem, James M. Auschwitz


Deem, James M.    Auschwitz   
 Enslow      2011  128p  31.93 978-0-7660-3322-1  
ms/hs E-BNS        
     Examines the aspects of Auschwitz, Poland, a death camp during the Holocaust. It conveys the construction of the camp, daily operations and accounts from both prisoners and camp guards as more than a million Jews, Poles, Gypsies, and Soviet POWs were executed.              
     Subtitled Voices from the Death Camp, this book relates the horrific events that occurred in Auschwitz during the Holocaust. During World War II, the Nazi’s attempted to conquer Europe and exterminate “undesirables” from the world. In Auschwitz, Poland, one of the largest death camps was constructed as it provided easy railroad access for transport of prisoners and later, corpses. Jews, Poles, Gypsies and Soviet POWs were transported to Auschwitz in great numbers and under false pretenses. Once there, thousands were daily eliminated in gas chambers  that the Nazi’s developed, and executed at the “Black Wall.” Bodies were then destroyed in one of the several crematoriums erected.
 James M. Deen provides a brief, yet complete summary of  “Auschwitz I: The Administrative Center,” “Auschwitz II: The Death Camp,” Auschwitz III: Slave Labor Camps,” and “The End of Auschwitz.” Subsequent chapters relate the origins, construction and daily workings of the death camp through personal accounts and diary excerpts.
 The book is both exceptionally well written and exciting.  The book is remarkably nonjudgmental, non-sensationalized, and compassionately objective in its presentation of information. Each chapter offers the personal narratives of several of the active participants: Jewish, Polish, Gypsy prisoners, Soviet POWs, and Nazi officials and guards. First person accounts are presented in cursive script and discuss events, experiences, and outcomes. They share their feelings, fears and memories of Auschwitz and how their “selection” was made. The book ends with a timeline, chapter notes, glossary, further reading, and an index. This is a must purchase for any library.
      Holocaust Through Primary Sources (Enslow)      This is one book in The Holocaust Series. The series consists of six books. The general theme is The Holocaust and each book highlights a significant event or place.      Aushwitz     Virginia McGarvey

 

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