In the heart of the twentieth century; the game of soccer was becoming firmly established as the sport of the masses across Europe; even as war was engulfing the continent. Intimately woven into the war was the genocide perpetrated by Nazi Germany and its collaborators; genocide on a scale never seen before. For those victims ensnared by the Nazi regime; soccer became a means of survival and a source of inspiration even when surrounded by profound suffering and death.In Soccer under the Swastika: Stories of Survival and Resistance during the Holocaust; Kevin E. Simpson reveals the surprisingly powerful role soccer played during World War II. From the earliest days of the Nazi dictatorship; as concentration camps were built to hold so-called enemies; captives competed behind the walls and fences of the Nazi terror state. Simpson uncovers this little-known piece of history; rescuing from obscurity many poignant survivor testimonies; old accounts of wartime players; and the diaries of survivors and perpetrators. In victim accounts and rare photographs—many published for the first time in this book—hidden stories of soccer in almost every Nazi concentration camp appear. To these prisoners; soccer was a glimmer of joy amid unrelenting hunger and torture; a show of resistance against the most heinous regime the world had ever seen. With the increasing loss of firsthand memories of these events; Soccer under the Swastika reminds us of the importance in telling these compelling stories. And as modern day soccer struggles to combat racism in the terraces around the world; the endurance of the human spirit embodied through these personal accounts offers insight and inspiration for those committed to breaking down prejudices in the sport today. Thoughtfully written and meticulously researched; this book will fascinate and enlighten readers of all generations.
#1321654 in Books 2013-02-14Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.99 x .69 x 6.04l; .95 #File Name: 1442220015308 pages
Review
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. Good bookBy superstarThis book is very good; especially to those who are interested in Russia's foreign policy since the 80s. The book make connection between the internal political situation; ideologies inside Russia and its implications on it's foreign policy. The book examines the different approaches to the status of Russia and to the foreign policy it should take; in the eyes of the different organizations of the Russian political spectrum such as Pragmatists; Statists; Conservatives; Nationalists; Liberals etc.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Not only it gives a great theoretical framework to think about Russian foreign policyBy NikOne of the most elaborate theory of Russian politics that have ever been presented. The book draws on the constructivist tradition of the international relations school to explain shifts in Russian politics starting from the early 1990s up to the present time. Not only it gives a great theoretical framework to think about Russian foreign policy; but also provides a detailed account of the country's international moves throughout the post-Cold War period. A must-read for students and profs. of Russian politics.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Great book by very competent authorBy X. Z.Great book by very competent author. Though; There is a new edition of this book that is more up to date.
