Received an honorable mention at the 2016 British-Kuwait Friendship Society Book PrizeThe Great Seljuk Empire was the Turkish state which dominated the Middle East and Central Asia in the eleventh and twelfth centuries. This book surveys that period; which was one of exceptional importance; witnessing profound demographic; religious; political and social changes in the Islamic Middle East. The Turkish invasions played a role in provoking the Crusades; led to the collapse of Byzantine power in Anatolia and brought about the beginnings of Turkish settlement in what is now Turkey and Iran; permanently altering their ethnic and linguistic composition.
#323714 in Books Venezia Shlomo 2011-04-04Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.30 x .72 x 5.50l; .69 #File Name: 0745643841232 pagesInside the Gas Chambers Eight Months in the Sonderkommando of Auschwitz
Review
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful. Somewhat Distancing; But Devastating NonethelessBy Tracy Cramer Austin; TexasThis book is the collected memories of Shlomo Venezia of his time in the crematorium sonderkommando (work unit) at Auschwitz-Birkenau. At first I found the question and answer format of the text somewhat distancing as the book records the conversations he had with an interviewer in 2006. Furthermore; the fact that his thoughts were put on paper in that year gave his memories a somewhat fragmentary feel. However; as I progressed through the book; those points receded and his deeply disturbing experiences came more to life.Sadly; Shlomo Venezia died in October of 2012; at the age of 88.NOTE: If you can only read one testimonial of a crematoria sonderkommando worker; I would recommend that you readEyewitness Auschwitz: Three Years in the Gas Chambers" by Filip Muller. He wrote this just a couple of years after he got out of the camp; and has a more coherent and direct feeling.3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Its strange that a people can be killed in mass production shops like making a car on an assembly lineBy CustomerI found this book with more of a insight into what went on inside the gas chambers themselves and the men who worked in them. I also realized that some people lives can mean no more than a fly on a table ready to be done away with little or no thought at all.Its strange that a people can be killed in mass production shops like making a car on an assembly line. The Nazi found that by using the SonderKommando that the operation could be done by the same people they were going to eventually kill so it would all be kept quite. Its hard to comprehend how a human being could do such things. But like the book says "you can get used to anything over time" And that is the scariest part of all.They did.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Worth reading.By Organic TDifficult book to read because of the content; but a book worth reading. The account is very straight forward; no embellishments. This first hand account makes no excuses for his actions. It is a sad tale and a time to remember.
