A Holocaust Reader (Library of Jewish Studies)

This book was expertly compiled from primary source documents concerning Jews, Nazis, and the Holocaust. The types of documents range from personal accounts to govt. papers. There is a very wide variety of types and subject matter. The reading level varies from piece to piece. This book is good for historical research, termpapers, and documentation. I highly recommend this book, but not to read straight through just for fun.

This collection of documents has allowed me and my high-school history students to explore the record of Nazi atrocities, thanks to the author's insightful editorial comments. Part One - "The Final Solution" deals with the Nazis' plan to exterminate the Jews of Europe, including pieces of Nazi legislation, minutes from meetings, and various orders. Part Two - "The Holocaust" - presents a Jewish perspective of life in Germany from 1933-1939, of the ghettos in eastern Europe, and the ordeals of deportation. I have yet to find a finer book in terms of providing a succinct collection of Holocaust-related documents. It has worked well for me and my students in collaboration with reading Raul Hilberg's _The Destruction of the European Jews_.