Jost Hermand's A Hitler Youth in Poland is an invaluable first-hand account of his experience in Nazi education camps for German children; four in Poland. An important addition to the growing record of the childhood experiences of so-called Kriegskinder (children of war) in Germany during the Nazi regime; A Hitler Youth in Poland is a memoir of Germany's Kinderlandverschickung (KLV) program; by which German children were evacuated from large cities to countryside camps designed to toughen and prepare them for future careers in the military. During the Nazi era; millions of German children between the ages of seven and sixteen were taken from their homes and sent to Hitler Youth paramilitary camps to be toughened up and taught how to be "German." Separated from their families and sent to the far-flung corners of Europe; these children often endured incredible abuse by the adults in charge. In this memoir; Jost Hermand; a cultural critic and historian who spent much of his youth in five different camps; writes about his experiences as a small; unathletic boy thrown into a "wolf pack" governed by brutalization; dreary routine; and sadism. Intelligent and persuasive; A Hitler Youth in Poland should be read by anyone interested in psychology or the history of everyday life in Hitler's Germany and the mental scars of adults born during the Nazi regime.
#799149 in Books Southern Illinois University Press 2011-08-26Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.00 x .60 x 5.00l; .63 #File Name: 0809330350152 pages
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. a quick and focused readingBy Reedswe needed it for an MBA presentation on management and it definitely helped provide some more details on the election.5 of 5 people found the following review helpful. Lincoln and the Election of 1860 Set Forth Clearly and ConsiselyBy Civil War LibrarianLincoln And The Election of 1860; Michael S. Green;152; pp.; Southern Illinois University Press; 2011; bibliographic notes; index; $19.95.One of the new titles in Southern Illinois University's Concise Lincoln Library series; Lincoln And The Election of 1860 is a fine work. Michael S. Green's narrative is clear and direct; every sentence is lean and concise; the pace never falters. Events; decisions; and personalities are described by to-the-point anecdotes and on-the-money-quotations. Green offers the best of recent Lincoln and American political party scholarship. Elbow by elbow conversations reveal the principles and political savvy; the borders and brinksmanship of Lincoln; his allies and his opponents.Green's first two chapters offer a cogent description of the American political party system to 1850. He captures the essence of the era's politics with two quotations from Thomas Jefferson. Jefferson's 1801 inaugural address 'We are all republicans; we are all federalists' statement is contrasted by his later statement in a letter that 'I shall . . . sink federalism into an abyss from which there shall be no resurrection for it.' The first and second party systems; the founding of the Whig Party; and the great debates of the 1850s are fully sketched.The Republican field of candidates; Lincoln's perception of himself and his perception of how others view him is the cornerstone of the book. Greene relies upon Lincoln's remarks and those of others to clarify the issues. The Constitution; the federal union; the election of 1860 are offered as understood by those at that time. Eager to give no offense to others; Lincoln creates a meandering path to the White House; others paint themselves into a corner and Lincoln keeps his feet out of their paint. Green wonderfully describes the Illinois Republican Party's presidential nominating convention at which 'The Rail Splitter' is lifted up by the attendees and literally passed forward to the stage. Greene's story climaxes during the Republican national nominating convention and the elections of October and November balloting process.Michael S. Greene has succeeded in crafting a clear and concise narrative. It is one that offers a fine summary of Lincoln's efforts; the endeavors of his friends and the political climate of the presidential campaign of 1860. Blessedly Greene does not set forth observations on the political environment of 2010s; which has become a habit of other scholars sesquicentennial books. Lincoln and the Election of 1860 is accessible to advanced placement high school students; undergraduate and graduate readers.4 of 5 people found the following review helpful. Lunch With Lincoln . . .By James D. MillerAbraham Lincoln is among the rarest of historical figures; in that the more you read about him; the more compelling he becomes. Readers quickly devour the multitude of books published about him every year.Southern Illinois University Press is bringing together a vast array of Lincoln scholars to elaborate on the life and times of our sixteenth president and his legacy. The Concise Lincoln Library is a buffet of short; focused books; each concentrating on different areas of Lincoln's life.Contributing to the series is Michael S. Green; professor of history at the College of Southern Nevada; who has written Lincoln and the Election of 1860. Before getting into the meat and potatoes of one America's most divisive election Mr. Green first serves his first two chapters as appetizers; covering the establishment of America's political parties; the fall of the Whigs and the rise of the Republican Party.As a side dish; Mr. Green's linear narrative deftly covers Lincoln's early political career before presenting us with the main course; the presidential election of 1860. He demonstrates Lincoln's masterful manipulation of back-room machinations of the Republican convention to gain the party's nomination. A sauce of Lincoln's opponents for the office of President of the United States enhances the flavor of the high stakes involved the election. A discussion of Lincoln's behind-the-scenes political finesse in the run up to his election as president is the red meat at the center of the meal; though by comparison to the other items accompanying it on the plate it seems a bit small. A desert of a brief analysis of how and why Lincoln won the election immediately follows.Lincoln and the Election of 1860 is not a nine course dinner at a four star restaurant; nor was it meant to be. It is an easily digestible and satisfying lunch at the Bistro on the corner. It satisfies the apatite; yet leaves you wanting more. Would I reccomend another trip to the buffet of The Concise Lincoln Library? Absolutely!
