After the defeat of Germany in World War II; more than a hundred thousand Jewish survivors of the Holocaust were transported to camps maintained by the allies for displaced persons (DPs). In this new history; historians Angelika Königseder and Juliane Wetzel offer a social and cultural history of the post-WWII displaced persons camps.Starting with the discovery of death camps by Allied forces; Königseder and Wetzel describe the inadequate preparations made for the survivors. The soldiers were ill equipped to deal with the physical wreckage and mental anguish of their charges; but American rabbis soon arrived to perform invaluable work helping the survivors cope. The historians also devote attention to autonomous Jewish life in and near the camps: theater groups and orchestras prospered; schools were founded; a tuberculosis hospital and clinic for DPs was established; and underground organizations handled illegal immigration to Israel and trained soldiers to fight in Palestine.Drawing on original documents and the work of other historians; Waiting for Hope sheds light on a largely unknown period in postwar Jewish history and shows that the suffering of the survivors did not end with the war.
#427560 in Books 2011-08-23Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.00 x .70 x 5.00l; .80 #File Name: 0809330539176 pages
Review
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. a short book but great historyBy David H. MacCallumThis very brief look at the American Civil War is remarkable in a number of ways. Most importantly; this is concise history at its best: Michael Burlingame; an exceptionally accomplished Lincoln historian; discusses the reason for the unrest and ultimate secession in the South; Lincoln's maneuvering to retain the allegiance of several important border states; the South's vigorous and very successful defense in the early days of the war; the disastrous results of the North's inept military leadership; the gradual turning of the tide as the greater population weight and industrial capacity of the North ground down the Southern forces; the emancipation of Southern slaves; and the reelection of Lincoln to a second term; one that was cut short by his assassination only five months later.This is a lot to cover in only 130 pages but Burlingame does a great job in moving the reader through this dense material without any sense of haste or unnecessary concision. One is reminded of the comment; attributed to many writers; that "I would have written you a shorter letter if I had more time." This history volume is a great example of this. Professor Burlingame obviously has an encyclopedic knowledge of the Civil War and; only because of this; he is able to pull together the most important facts to tell the complete story of this war.Every step of the story is fraught with the tough decisions and almost overwhelming hurdles that Lincoln had to handle. He demonstrated an unshakeable determination to save the Union; regardless of the political and military issues; he assembled a first-rate cabinet to which he listened closely; he made early mistakes in his choice of Northern military leaders but corrected these choices with the appointment of one of the most brilliant and resolute commanders in American history; Ulysses Grant; he was clear-minded and determined in his emancipation of Southern slaves.This is a very worthwhile short history of one of our country's most important event. The Civil War buff will know the story well but will be fully satisfied with this insightful telling. The newcomer to this complex conflict will find a superb base on which to build a deeper understanding of the war and one of our greatest leaders.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy Daniel WildIn great shape.6 of 7 people found the following review helpful. The TycoonBy Christian SchlectOne of our nation's top scholars; if not the best; on Abraham Lincoln has written a clear; tightly written explanation of why President Lincoln was so central to crushing the great rebellion. Professor Burlingame justifiably lauds his subject; in my opinion; because Mr. Lincoln's actions and words; on balance; deserve no other treatment.I think both new and experienced readers on the Civil War; one that decided our fate as a nation; will enjoy this small book.Readers seeking a fuller treatment of Abraham Lincoln should consider the investment of time in Professor Burlingame's award winning two-volume history.
