On April 4; 1945; United States Army units from the 89th Infantry Division and the 4th Armored Division seized Ohrdruf; the first of many Nazi concentration camps to be liberated in Germany. In the weeks that followed; as more camps were discovered; thousands of soldiers came face to face with the monstrous reality of Hitler’s Germany. These men discovered the very depths of human-imposed cruelty and depravity: railroad cars stacked with emaciated; lifeless bodies; ovens full of incinerated human remains; warehouses filled with stolen shoes; clothes; luggage; and even eyeglasses; prison yards littered with implements of torture and dead bodies; and―perhaps most disturbing of all―the half-dead survivors of the camps. For the American soldiers of all ranks who witnessed such powerful evidence of Nazi crimes; the experience was life altering. Almost all were haunted for the rest of their lives by what they had seen; horrified that humans from ostensibly civilized societies were capable of such crimes. Military historian John C. McManus sheds new light on this often-overlooked aspect of the Holocaust. Drawing on a rich blend of archival sources and thousands of firsthand accounts―including unit journals; interviews; oral histories; memoirs; diaries; letters; and published recollections― Hell Before Their Very Eyes focuses on the experiences of the soldiers who liberated Ohrdruf; Buchenwald; and Dachau and their determination to bear witness to this horrific history.
#3053 in Books S C Gwynne 2011-05-10 2011-05-10Format: IllustratedOriginal language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.44 x 1.10 x 5.50l; .80 #File Name: 1416591060371 pagesFirst paperback edition; first printing; 2011
Review
121 of 126 people found the following review helpful. My best friend growing up was the great-granddaughter of Chief Quannah ...By Matt's MomWe live in Oklahoma - the middle of modern day Comanche County. My best friend growing up was the great-granddaughter of Chief Quannah Parker. She was even named after Cynthia Ann Parker. She has been my friend for over 60+ years. Therefore; I knew some of the history of the Comanche way of life; but from their side. I still cherish those memories of the stories told to me by her Grandmother (which was really her great-aunt; but called Grandmother by Comanche culture). She told of how afraid of the soldiers they were as children on the reservation near Fort Sill. I was a child hearing these stories; not really understanding... My family (white settlers) had settled in Oklahoma Territory from the Llano; Texas area before the turn of the century. They had lived thru the battles and loss of lives. Some went on to Arizona; but that's another story.EMPIRE OF THE SUMMER MOON really awakened some of those memories - but from both sides. It was a horrible time for the settlers and the Indians! I have read many books on the subject; but this was the BEST; most accurate account; from both sides. It gives true documentation of events as they happened. We have given this book to so many family members and friends. A few weeks ago; we gave it to a Comanche friend. He said he learned so much about his people from this book. We HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone wanting to know the true history of the west from both sides.39 of 41 people found the following review helpful. A "must read" for anyone interested in American expansion into the west or in American indian historyBy 50s LabRatI normally get all books from the library; which is where I first got this one. In the past 15 years I have actually bought to keep in my small "library" 2 books--Carl Sagan's "The Demon Haunted World;" this one. Published in 2010; it is the only book I've ever found that tells the history of American expansion into the west without a strong bias toward whites; and with phenomenal documentation (nearly a quarter of the volume is a listing of citations).The fact that for over 40 years I've lived in the middle of the area primarily concerned makes it more personal to me; as well as that one of my grandmothers was born in "Indian Territory" (as Oklahoma was called at first); my mother told of some of her childhood memories of meeting Indians in her home town as a young girl; all add to my own interest. But the main attraction is the unbiased telling of the story; "no punches pulled." The author doesn't shy away from the details of the brutallity on both sides; so it can be disturbing at times; but it also shows the admirable aspects of both sides.There is no question that Quanah was a truly great leader; but you'll have to read the whole story to understand just how great.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Fascinating insights into the history of the ComanchesBy Marco BucceriThis book changed my understanding of the history of the American Indians. Sam Gwynne researched his topic extensively; and has written an outstanding narrative. I thoroughly enjoyed his writing style and the lengths that he went to in order to create this book. Anyone who has more than a passing interest in American history; will really enjoy this book. It was easy to read; and at times; difficult to put down. His word pictures are outstanding; and his descriptions of the countryside make me want to visit the great plains. Compelling reading; I'm glad I read this book.
