Fifty-five years after the end of World War II; the Holocaust continues to cast a dark shadow. For the past two decades; the Fortunoff Video Archive at Yale University has sought to preserve the human side of this inhuman era by videotaping testimonies from those who lived through the Nazi regime; a project that has led to an acclaimed documentary film and this extraordinary book.Fifty-five years after the end of World War II; the Holocaust continues to cast a dark shadow. For the past two decades; the Fortunoff Video Archive at Yale University has sought to preserve the human side of this inhuman era by videotaping testimonies from those who lived through the Nazi regime; a project that has led to an acclaimed documentary film and this extraordinary book. The Wall Street Journal called the documentary “eloquent and unsparing;†and Daily Variety said it was “a staggeringly powerful record.†The Washington Times said that Witness “gives new meaning to the term documentary. [It is] as pure a document as I have ever seen on television.†In Witness: Voices from the Holocaust; Joshua M. Greene and Shiva Kumar weave a single and compelling narrative from the first-person accounts of twenty-seven witnesses; including camp survivors; American military personnel; a member of the Hitler Youth; a Jesuit priest; and resistance fighters. The vivid and detailed memories of these witnesses testify to the continuing impact of this human catastrophe; and their impassioned words lend immediacy to events that resonate to this day.
#60646 in BooksColor: Green Cyril Richardson 1995-12-01 1995-12-01Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.00 x 1.00 x 5.31l; .79 #File Name: 0684829517416 pagesEarly Christian Fathers
Review
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. An excellent cross-section of the available sources regarding the rise of the Church in the early days of the Roman EmpireBy James KenneyThis is not a book for a casual reader; rather it is a compendium of the earliest documents written by the early Christians; other than the New Testament. This is an important resource for anyone interested in the development of the world's largest religion. There are very few original sources for the first two centuries of Christianity; other than those bequeathed to us by the early Christians themselves. The Romans uncharacteristically failed to analyze and record the history of the new faith slowly spreading through their Empire; a faith which would ultimately transform and replace the traditional structures upon which the Empire rested. The Introduction is a masterpiece and succeeds in orienting the reader to the problems and issues that create difficulties in understanding the historical evolution of the early Church. Clement's first letter is a powerful document that is one of our earliest and most reliable sources outside of the NT; while the letter of Ignatius gives a clue to powerful emotions that this strange new faith could inspire.Two pieces by Polycarp; who was martyred round 110 CE under Emperor Trajan; illuminate the Anatolian congregations as they had developed under the influence of John; who had such a prominent impact on the new religion. They also give us insight into the "heresies" (or different interpretations of the nature and meaning of Jesus' mission) that flourished at this time. This aspect of the book is also fortified by the inclusion of material by Irenaeus; that dedicated hunter of heresy.An excellent cross-section of the available sources regarding the rise of the Church in the early days of the Roman Empire.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Bought for a college course; kept for my own enrichmentBy BrianI originally purchased this for a college course. As usual; I expected it to be only informative. This was much more. This book is a compilation of classical works written by the early Christian fathers. Each work is given a preface that is exciting for people interested in translation; date of authorship; historical background; etc. The real meat is the works written by the different authors. This book includes works from North Africa; Southern Europe; and the Middle East. The writings date from late first century through the late second century. I highly recommend this read for both personal enrichment and historical enlightenment.5 of 5 people found the following review helpful. An extensive Patristic work; of special interest to the scholarsBy Didaskalex"Of special interest to the scholar is the extensive book list included in the volume." Concordia theologicalFathers of the Church:Who could rightly be called an 'Early Church Father'? Keep in mind that a 'Father of the Church' is not an ecclesiastically conferred distinction for which the Eastern Orthodox or the Roman Catholics have an undisputed list; as is the case of its teachers 'Doctor of the Church.' Early Church Fathers is a title that came to be applied to few early Christian role models who led by their truthful faith; holy living; and orthodox teaching; that the ancient churches of Alexandria; Antioch and Rome gradually accepted them as practical interpreters of Christianity. Their qualification would seem to fit the apostles; along with early Christians of the New Testament like Timothy; who is never referred to as Early Church Father. On the other hand; there are some of those regarded as "Fathers of the Church;" whose generally orthodox teaching was marred by some doctrinal controversy (e.g. Origen); or whose lives were far from being exemplary (e.g. Hippolytus).Early Fathers Writings:The Writings of those early Christian writers produced in the first and second centuries; were referred to as the Apostolic Fathers. Ante Nicene writings of the Fathers from Clement of Rome to Athanasius cover the period from the close of the New Testament writings down to the Council of Nicea (AD 325). The authors of these writings were considered to be the next generation of Apostles and as a result were named The Apostolic Fathers. Perceived by many scholars to be the most important collection of post-New Testament writings; a number of these texts were in fact considered for the Canon of the New Testament but dropped later. A good example was Dydimus the blind; eminent dean of Alexandrine Didascalia; reverence for 'The Shepherd of Hermas' considering as one of the most inspired of all writings; and it is included in the Sinaiticus Codex.Cyril Richardson work:This is one of the best books on the "Early Church Fathers" of the second century; essential for understanding the thought and exegetical writings of the Church Fathers; who lived and wrote during the founding time of the early church. This first volume of The Library of Christian Classics; long acclaimed for its quality translations; contains most of the basic Christian writings of the first two centuries of the Christian Church; with the exception of the Epistle of Barnabas; and the Shepherd of Hermas. These patristic guides are very helpful; providing introductions; explanatory notes; and indices. The series ensures that modern English translations of some of the most significant Christian works are available for scholars and students; allowing searching readers to better understand the early Christian church. Describing this representative work as introductory overlooks the fact that; for the reader to appreciate the writings; he should have a knowledge of Early Church History; as narrated by H. Chadwick; or even some exposure to the Fathers thought in Historical Theology; as exposed by J. Danielou; translated into English by eminent Patristic RPC Hanson.Cyril Richardson work is partly complemented with Lightfoot's classic 'The Apostolic Fathers'; recently revised by M. Holmes.Those novice readers who want to read selections from the fathers writings; in order to determine the turning points in Church doctrine are thus advised to explore H. Bettenson's The early Christian fathers (Clement of Rome to Athanasius) since the latter was the first of the fathers who dramatically influenced Christian thought beyond Nicea.
