It seems at first commonplace: a group photograph of peasants at harvest time; after hard work well done; resting contentedly with their tools behind the fruits of their labor. But when one finally notices the "crops" scattered in front of the group; what seemed innocent on first view become horrific skulls and bones. Where are we? Who are the people in the photograph; and what are they doing? The starting pointof Jan Tomasz and Irena Grudzinska Gross's Golden Harvest; this haunting photograph in fact depicts a group of peasants--"diggers"--atop a mountain of ashes at Treblinka; where some 800;000 Jews were gassed and cremated. The diggers are searching for gold and precious stones that Nazi executioners may have overlooked. The story captured in this grainy black-and-white photograph symbolizes the vast; continent-wide plunder of Jewish wealth that went hand-in-hand with the Holocaust. The seizure of Jewish assets during World War II occasionally generates widespread attention when Swiss banks are challenged to produce lists of dormant accounts; or national museums are forced to return stolen paintings. But the theft of Europe's Jewish population was not limited to conquering armies; leading banks; or museums. It was perpetrated also by local people; such as those pictured in the photograph. Lyrical and often heartbreaking; A Golden Harvest takes readers across Europe as it exposes the economic ravaging of an entire society. Beginning with a simple group shot; the authors have written a moving book that evokes the depth and range; as well as the intimacy; of the Final Solution.
#973804 in Books Oxford University Press 2012-10-25 2012-10-25Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 5.30 x 1.30 x 8.40l; 1.15 #File Name: 0199642451416 pages
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. A good resource for researchersBy KaputarA good resource for researchers; being full of specific examples; but for the casual reader; this gets a little repetetive. Covers the situation in South Tyrol well; explaining the historical background which made the border province sympathetic to escaping Nazis. Also covers the background to the situation which made Argentina a prime destination. However; anyone looking for a 'light read' will be disappointed.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. I walked where war criminals walkedBy Steve Nidawe just returned from a two week vacation in Germany. We stayed in Garmisch which is in the heart of Bavaria. Garmisch-Partenkirchen is where the 1936 Winter Olympics were held. On one of our tours into a town in Northern Italy in the Brenner Pass area; our tour guide told us about the Goldenes Kreuz. This is where Adolph Eichmann and Joseph Mengele stayed on forged papers out of the Vatican. I was able to get pictures of the hotel while there. This well written book explains further many other interesting details. Wish I would have read it prior to trip.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. An amazing storyBy Brian MorganThis is an amazing account of how so many Nazis--infamous or not--'disappeared' after WWII. It traces the routes used; and names the people and organizations who opened the routes. The effort was a product of the Cold War. A good read.
