A new afterword to this edition; "The Duty to Remember―But What?" tackles difficult issues of guilt and innocence on the individual and societal levels. Zygmunt Bauman explores the silences found in debates about the Holocaust; and asks what the historical facts of the Holocaust tell us about the hidden capacities of present-day life. He finds great danger in such phenomena as the seductiveness of martyrdom; going to extremes in the name of safety; the insidious effects of tragic memory; and efficient; "scientific" implementation of the death penalty. Bauman writes; "Once the problem of the guilt of the Holocaust perpetrators has been by and large settled . . . the one big remaining question is the innocence of all the rest―not the least the innocence of ourselves."Among the conditions that made the mass extermination of the Holocaust possible; according to Bauman; the most decisive factor was modernity itself. Bauman's provocative interpretation counters the tendency to reduce the Holocaust to an episode in Jewish history; or to one that cannot be repeated in the West precisely because of the progressive triumph of modern civilization. He demonstrates; rather; that we must understand the events of the Holocaust as deeply rooted in the very nature of modern society and in the central categories of modern social thought.
#1900184 in Books Edelman Robert 2012-11-13Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.90 x .90 x 5.80l; 1.10 #File Name: 0801478391368 pagesSpartak Moscow
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Soviet era soccerBy West Coast DonI'm a soccer fan and have read numerous books about the history and sociology of soccer; but I've never gotten my hands on anything about the game in Russia. This one fits the bill. It's remarkably detailed and informative; and it uses the vehicle of the evolution of the Spartak team to tell about the game and its people around the country during post-revolutionary times. If you're interested in Russian history; this book offers a unique look at common Russians and how they could and could not use their Spartak team as a way to express defiance against their leaders. This was a well written story. Spartak Moscow gets my highest recommendation.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. You will not be disappointed!By V. R. AloI've been rooting for the Spartak Moscow team for 51 years. I thought I knew all there was to know about my favorite soccer team. This book proved me wrong. It contains some facts and details that I had not known of. It's engaging and; for the most part; remarkably accurate. I'd like to thank Professor Edelman for his hard work and congratulate those who purchased the book. Believe me; you will not be disappointed!0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Great book to learn about Soviet life and interrelation of football and politicsBy Vladimir SlivyakEnjoyed this book very much; learned a lot of historical data related to USSR. Amazing info on political effects of football/soccer development in Soviet Union; on Spartak club which became much more than just football club for Soviet people. Highly recommended for people interested to explore interrelation of politics and football and about Soviet history.
