Rating: 
Summary: An enjoyable read to get an alternative perspective
Review: I don't claim to know everything there is to know about the Holocaust... and after reading Finkelstein's book, I don't pretend to know everything. His book is dense with illusions and references to seminal works about the Holocaust, so admittedly, there was no way I could appreciate (or disprove) the subtleties of his argument(s).However, I have visited a few Holocaust museums, engaged in a few debates about the event, and generally lived in the US long enough to understand Finkelstein's greatest objections. In that sense, Finkelstein does a tremendous job pointing out the inconsistencies with the Jewish argument and the general hyprocritcal argument many Jewish leaders adopt when lobbying for Holocaust reparations. His argument is most effective when he presents facts and lets them stand on their own (the percentages of Gypsy deaths were greater, the Holocaust museum - and other oganizations like the ADL - want to maintain the "uniqueness" of the event, etc.). Conversely, his arguments are undermined when he attempts to inject his intellectually-inspired "wit", which totally distracted and annoyed me. In short, the book is a good, quick read. I found it especially interesting since I had only read and seen the movies which depicted the other side of the argument. There are two sides to every coin, and controversial or not, we have a right to hear both.
Rating: 
Summary: Refreshing
Review: Given the controversy that sorrounded this book when it was published it's difficult not to approach thsi review with some concern. Nonetheless, the book is excellent and has a very important story to tell. having being born in precisely the year that marked the ideological shift from Nazi Holocaust to Holocaust, as Finkelstein describes it, I have always known the latter interpretation and resulting political machinations of its main proponent Eli Weisel. Finkelstein describes the almost macchiavellian approach that helped to radically shift US policy in the Middle East that has ultimately contributed to continuing conflict. I has no idea about the extent to which the Arab-Israeli question had greater opportunities of resolution prior to 1967 adn the devious uses to which one of the greatest tragedies in human history has been manipulated. Finkelstein's accusations and evidence is meticulously documented - to the point that it becomes distracting to read - adn draws from speeches, events and even an abundance of fabricated literature that emerged along with the ideological 'shift' of 1967. This book has been widley praised and was , not surprisingly, criticized almost exclusively in the United States. The evidence speaks for itself.
Rating:
Summary: Someone had to start . . .
Review: . . . to lance the boil of exploitation of Jewish suffering surrounding the Holocaust. Finkelstein is right to "break the sacred vessels" that have somehow grown-up around the experience of Jewish suffering, now known as the Holocaust - which to say, such 'sacredness' protecting a moral advantage that Jewish suffering had "bought" for so many groups, with so many counter-competing claims - political, moral, ethical - to the downright misplaced!!! The exploiters hide behind the 6,000,000! Never again. And as Finkelstein's book is couched in a "ranting polemic" (Fergal Keane's words), Novick's The Holocaust in American Experience covers similar ground in a far more reasoned, and dispassionate way. Yet both books fail to hit the mark: what is it in the Jewish experience that the Nazis wanted so much? And how did Jewish suffering contribute to that history? The history of the Jews in Western Civilisation is nothing, if it is not the history of God taking His place in human history, human experience, and human time. The Ahnenerbe (SS Cultural History Unit) sought to instal a new, secular faith - Man as Superman - and the Jews occupied that place in Western Civilisation which was closest associated to God. The Chosen Race - set apart by God - became (terribly) the Selected Race - an attempt to unravel the Jews from their place in history by the Nazis. And yet the more the Jews suffered, the more secure their place as that link from God to humankind became. Finkelstein might profit more from a consideration of suffering, and the "ownership" of history. His 2 cents-worth of disturbing commentary - under such conditions - seem sorely misplaced.
Rating:
Summary: Criticism is not prejudice
Review: I am an American Jew, and no, I don't "hate myself" or hate my ethnic heritage. I am proud of my Jewish heritage. I feel all Jews should read this book and give serious thought to it. Contrary to what his critics say, Finkelstein does deny and never has denied that European Jews suffered one of the most terrible atrocities in human history under the Nazi holocaust. (He does, however, argue persuasively that Jews are not the only people in history to have suffered genocide. This is NOT the same as holocaust denial.) What Finkelstein argues, and the critics of this book refuse to consider, is that many Jews unfortunately feel that this tremendous suffering confers upon them some kind of moral blank-check for whatever political or financial purposes they see fit--kicking Palestinians out of their homes, for example. It is a controversial statement in the current political climate, but Finkelstein presents a tight, devastating argument in favor of it, and all morally serious people should at least evaluate the argument in terms of facts and logic, rather than dismissing it off-hand with ad hominem attacks against the author. (I am not suggesting, by the way, that ad hominem attacks are never admissible in the course of argument--Finkelstein loves to pepper his argument with stinging, and often quite comic, insults to his opponents. However, Finkelstein realizes that these attacks must be an addition to, not a substitute for, reasoned argument. His opponents, in turn, don't seem to care much for reasoned argument at all, and prefer instead to employ ad hominem attacks exclusively.) It is sad, though I suppose inevitable, that some anti-Semitic elements have latched on to this book as providing "support" for their prejudice. What is even more sad, however, is that many Jews somehow seem to think that this fact alone is enough to condemn the book. If some racist bigot latched on to a tightly-argued, well-reasoned book criticizing, say, Al Sharpton or Louis Farrakhan, and used this book to justify their prejudice towards African-Americans, would that fact in and of itself negate the conclusions of the book? Criticism is not the same thing as prejudice or hatred, even if that criticism is exploited by the purveyors of prejudice and hatred. Unfortunately, those who dismiss this book just can't seem to grasp this elementary distinction.
Rating:
Summary: Criticism is not prejudice
Review: I am an American Jew, and no, I don't "hate myself" or hate my ethnic heritage. I am proud of my Jewish heritage. I feel all Jews should read this book and give serious thought to it. Contary to what his critics say, Finkelstein does not deny and never has denied that European Jews suffered one of the most terrible atrocities in human history under the Nazi holocaust. (He does, however, argue persuasively that Jews are not the only people in history to have suffered genocide. This is NOT the same as holocaust denial.) What Finkelstein argues, and the critics of this book refuse to consider, is that many Jews unfortunately feel that this tremendous suffering confers upon them some kind of moral blank-check for whatever political or financial purposes they see fit--kicking Palestinians out of their homes, for example. It is a controversial statement in the current political climate, but Finkelstein presents a tight, devastating argument in favor of it, and all morally serious people should at least evaluate the argument in terms of facts and logic, rather than dismissing it off-hand with ad hominem attacks against the author. (I am not suggesting, by the way, that ad hominem attacks are never admissable in the course of argument--Finkelstein loves to pepper his argument with stinging, and often quite comic, insults to his opponents. However, Finkelstein realizes that these attacks must be an addition to, not a substitute for, reasoned argument. His opponents, in turn, don't seem to care much for reasoned argument at all, and prefer instead to employ ad hominem attacks exclusively.) It is sad, though I suppose inevitable, that some anti-Semitic elements have latched on to this book as providing "support" for their prejudice. What is even more sad, however, is that many Jews somehow seem to think that this fact alone is enough to condemn the book. If some racist bigot latched on to a tightly-argued, well-reasoned book criticizing, say, Al Sharpton or Louis Farrakhan, and used this book to justify their prejudice towards African-Americans, would that fact in and of itself negate the conclusions of the book? Criticism is not the same thing as prejudice or hatred, even if that criticism is exploited by the purveyors of prejudice and hatred. Unfortunately, those who dismiss this book just can't seem to grasp this elementary distinction.
Rating:
Summary: Finally -- An honest criticism of Zionism gone awry
Review: This is an excellent book by a reknown scholar who has the courage to break the silence -- finally an honest criticism of some of the less than honorable practices of the leading Zionist organizatons. What a great atrocity that powerful people usurp their power in the name of those who have suffered in the past. It really is a must read for all Americans, especially Jewish Americans. Read it and pass it on is my strongest recommendation.
Rating:
Summary: A dangerous subject.
Review: This book left me numb. I have never been a follower of the so called "revisionism" but I at least give them the benefit of the doubt and hear what they have to say. Nothing has impressed me so far. I had read about this book before and it seemed clear it was just another revisionist work but the fact that the author himself is jewish made me wanna check this out. Imagine my horror when I read the book and found out that most critics had pulled the text out of contest to make it look like another revisionist work. Finkelstein has nothing to do with the revisionists, and those who acquaint him with men like David Irving should be ashamed. Reading this book made me angry. Not at the Jews in particular but all people that try to cash in on such a touchy subject as The Jewish Holocaust. Of course there will be plenty of anti-semites who point to this book and say: "We told you! See how greedy the Jews are". Unfortunate, but Finkelstein really is opening our eyes and by the way, who bothers listening to what anti-semites say?
Finkelstein is also angry, that becomes clear when you read this book. Well, he has good reason.
Read and don't judge beforehand. Too few people in the world today keep a critical mind. The world is far from being black & white.
Rating:
Summary: A historical fact?
Review: I've read the german edition of this book just today, so I'm able to write quite a fresh review containing my feelings about this book. It's out of discussion, that this book far more controverse than each book, that appeared in the last three years. A book, which contains a lot of facts, that pretty good shows, how the capitalistic jewish organizations in the 20th century the shoa for their own targets used. It's good, that that book was written by a jewish author, because its more likely to being a historical fact. That book simply should be read.
Rating:
Summary: My pain is greater than yours, because it's mine.
Review: Stratification and polarization are the rule of the day. Contentiousness is not new to historiography, however the proviso only interpretations offered by members of a specific ethnic group will be objectively considered within the subject group is a modern amendment. Partisan interests further require any account conform to, or enhance, positions advocated by the majority of group members or its' most influential sectors. Within those constraints, the validity of any alternative reflections becomes inconsequential, if it fails to incorporate conventional standards. Mr. Finkelstein is clearly Jewish, but he has been castigated as anti-Semitic for an act of commission - the unpardonable sin - the temerity to contend the Nazi Holocaust may not be the most singularly abominable act of inhumanity in the annals of history. For his detractors, his mien is reprehensible, imbued with relativism, where he offers evidence by factual manipulation and embellishment an influential segment of Zionism and other Jewish interests have collaborated to insure this horrific epoch never fades in the public consciousness. First, he refuses to individuate Jews by pointing out disabled Germans and Gypsies were incarcerated and exterminated in the same camps. He offers compelling evidence that methods tantalizingly near to extortion have been employed over recent years to force reparations from countries and financial concerns purported to have colluded with Nazi Germany in subjugation, extermination and financial emasculation of displaced Jews. He demonstrates how the holocaust was raised to nonpareil, singular status after Israel's predominance in the Six Day War of 1967. According to the author, while a credible figure for actual holocaust surivivors has been obscured, even those individuals who are unquestionably deserving have been relegated to secondary status behing opportunistic, self-interested advocacy groups. The author's presumptive blasphemy extends to the question whether Jewish experience under the Nazi regime was of greater import than: the history of black enslavement where some accounts indicate over 20 million may have perished over the duration of the Eastern and Western systems; genocide perpetrated on Native Americans in the U.S. where a credible figure for loss of life remains in abeyance but is generally believed to exceed 6 million; the euphemistic Serbian 'ethnic cleansing' of Kosovars; the Vietnamese Conflict; and most poignantly, ongoing Israeli oppression of Palestinians. Finkelstein is very persuasive but ventures into incongruence by his juxtaposition of Jewish claims (as he outlines them) with other ethnic groups in pursuit of reparations from oppressive forces. It seems illogical to partially discount Jewish claims on the premise the number of survivors is undeterminable and continual pressures brought to bear against external concerns such as Swiss financial institutions will only serve to enhance to coffers of opportunistic Jewish organizations, followed by his advocacy of payment to another ethnic group where the elapsed time presents greater challenges. His exhortations approach pandering and are tantamount to perpetuation of a precedent he has endeavored to condemn. He vilifies Jewish groups for demands on the Swiss, then disingenously maligns the same groups for placing political expediency above similar extortive efforts in relation to the U.S. or Britain. It is not the abominable history of the Holocaust or its residual impact on Jewry Mr. Finkelstein denies. He attempts to establish a historical context where variable accounts of man's inhumanity to fellow man are of comparative relevance. His treatise is controversial and speculative but it also a courageous step, completely undeserving of cursory dismissal.
Rating:
Summary: Long over due!
Review: EXCELLENT, excellent, excellent! So true and overdue. It will be attacked, for it tells uncomfortable truths. A very easy read, done with humour and a lot of dignity.
|
