Rating: 
Summary: A mixed blessing
Review: Norman Finkelstein's thesis, although crudely presented and at times poorly argued, exposes an oft-neglected aspect of the holocaust debate and represents, therefore, an important contribution to the area of holocaust studies, despite its stylistic failings. I'm glad I read it.His thesis has one major flaw, though. Dr Finkelstein accuses large Jewish organisations of profiteering from the deaths of holocaust victims: yet Finkelstein himself seeks to draw much moral authority and credibility from the fact that his own parents were killed at the hands of the Nazis. Time and again he has raised their deaths as moral justification for his harsh, almost bloody-minded attacks on the Jewish establishment. These attacks would surely be counted as racist were it not for the fact that Dr Finkelstein is constantly playing the 'parent' card. Without this moralistic fall-back position, Finkelstein's arguments would almost certainly not have been as harsh, and his work, as a result, would not have achieved its current infamy and sales success.
Rating: 
Summary: The Ultimate in Holocaust Revisionism
Review: The best book I ever read on this subject. I disagree with the author on some claims he makes. Such as one half million Gypsies were killed in the Holocaust. The US Holocaust Museum has lowered the figure to a more realistic figure of 75,000 Gypsies. The author still latches to the unrealistic figure of "six million". When this has been revised by other historians. The author refers to historians who he has contention with as "Holocaust deniers". Uncalled for. Otherwise a work that should be read at least twice.
Rating:
Summary: The Ultimate in Holocaust Revisionism
Review: The best book I ever read on this subject. I disagree with the author on some claims the author writes. Such as one half million Gypsies were killed in the Holocaust. The US Holocaust Museum has lowered the figure to a more realistic figure of 75,000 Gypsies.The author still latches to the unrealistic figure of six million. When this has been revised by other historians. The author refers to historians who he has contention with as "Holocaust deniers". Uncalled for. Otherwise a work that should be read at least twice.
Rating:
Summary: Very truthful
Review: Excellent book, all round. Finkelstein writes this revealing Holocaust book, not to soil memories of dead ancestors but to uplift them beyond the questionable organazations that consistantly use thier memory for thier own monetary gain. Many selfish gains have been had as a result of the Nazi Holocaust. Gains which had nothing to do with supporting the victims, but only servered to prop up Zionist/racists org, support of Israeli aggression, etc. Great book, unique view in US perception.
Rating: 
Summary: Don't be too quick to skip this book.
Review: I do agree that there is a distinction between the ideological Holocaust and the historical Holocaust. I also agree that it the ideological apparatus is a very effective one, winning for those who are in step with the "right" ideas and beliefs a great deal of power. Generally, I agree with Finkelstein and I think arguments like his need to be heard. This book gives ample evidence of exactly how the power dynamics do play into the ideological appropriation of the Holocaust. But Finklestein might have gone at it too eagerly, personalizing his views in favor of putting his insight into a context that would show the Holocaust Industry at work against tangible events like the injustices suffered by Palestianians, political and economic favoritism shown to Israel especially in American policy, and the imperfect standards of Israeli "democracy." Finkelstein supports his thesis primarily on social and cultural sources, and this itself can be treated as ideological evidence. It's evidence that needs attention, but I think his thesis would go further if it were better supported in an even tone. The tone of this book may not be the most effective way to engage a debate, but the details shared within it point to an argument that is largely unheard in the United States. In this way alone Finkelstein's book is a valuable one and it should be enough to move people to be fair and consider the politics of the Holocaust Industry generally. Peter Novick, The Holocaust and American Life, is a good book to read with The Holocaust Industry.
Rating:
Summary: Approach this Book with an Open Mind
Review: For the memory of all those who suffered, this book is important. Those who use the holocaust to pursue their own agendas (however intentioned) do no justice to the dead. Norman Finkelstein's message is no more complicated than this. To make it something else is to deny what happened. It is unfair to use this book as a litmus test of adherence to the official Shoah party line. Remember the first time you saw the tattoo and asked what it was? Do you think that survivor would approve of Finkelstein's book? I do.
Rating: 
Summary: Holocaust or Holocash?
Review: Since Jewish exclusivity to Holocaust suffering and the dogmatic mantras that accompany it are firmly entrenched in popular American culture and academia, books such as this are destined for obscurity and ridicule. This perhaps explains the impetuous and cobbled feel that the book has. Packed solid with citations on every page, Finkelstein's book relies far too much on these than it does fully fleshing out issues. At times the author seems eager to discuss several disparate issues in one paragraph. Despite these flaws, the book raises some troubling concerns. Lies are clearly being told, figures inflated or invented and political muscle exerted; all in pursuit of, as one wag is quoted as calling it "Shoah business." Debate and discussion of Holocaust history, aside from that presented by the Holocaust Industry has effectively lead to the marginalizing of sincere earnest inquirers such as Finkelstein. As the book makes clear, the profundity and importance of the Holocaust only reaches the near-theological levels that it does within the USA and Israel. Europeans, the primary victims of the Nazis, tend to view the event as part of the greater atrocity that was Nazi Germany. Much as I found the subject matter of interest, I cannot rate this book too highly, since the presentation is in my opinion somewhat unindustrious.
Rating:
Summary: Holocaust Industry - Bold or Flawed?
Review: On the surface, Finkelstein's book, the 'Holocaust Industry' is startling. Using many citations in three focused chapters, he weaves a compelling narrative on the rise of our perceptions of the Holocaust, the Jewish reparation organizations, and personalities that are now profiting from it. As the book progresses however you become increasingly aware that he is less an 'objectifier' than a strident evangelist of his own beliefs that this process in inherently flawed, biased, and ultimately destructive. And it is here that the book loses some of its potential. That there are misappropriations and misdirections in this particular process there can be little doubt (it can't be helped when this much money is at stake), but are they direct intentions of the process or only by-products? Only when the structure fails, as it will inevitably, will we know if it is corrupt and to what degree. It is unfortunate however that the Jewish question of reparations, or for that matter any questions concerning their actions in the world, cannot be discussed without the term anti-Semite being bandied about to describe those who have honest questions and concerns. It is a powerful invective in today's Jewish lexicon and used often without discrimination to maim and silence. If not quite attaching the required objectivity to his thesis, Finkelstein unwittingly addresses the disturbing results of this pervasive slander. As a result 'Holocaust Industry' only dances around its principal theme. The shame of it all is that 'Holocaust Industry', where it could have been significant, will do little more than exacerbate the 'them' against 'us' argument. And by so doing, does little to help an objective eye wander this landscape.
Rating:
Summary: He dares to speek the truth !!
Review: Finally , a book that makes sense of that part of History.. I always wondered why our Government is willingly blindfolded and allowing that kind of corruption to take place ..I recommend this book for someone who is ready to see the Truth..
Rating:
Summary: Thank God someone wrote this book
Review: Mr. Finkelstein's case is flawless-his book is succinct yet detailed, plainspoken yet scholarly, objective yet passionate. It serves as a much needed antidote to the relentless pro-Isreali bias in our culture. It explodes the myth of holocaust exceptionalism while doing justice to its victims (umlike their so many of their so-called leaders). The fact is that Isreal is a brutal, oppresive, racist state on a par with aparteid South Africa, and the very real sufferings of holocaust victims is being cynically exploited to justify that brutality. I look forward to reading more of Finkelstein's work.
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