Roaming the countryside in caravans; earning their living as musicians; peddlers; and fortune-tellers; the Gypsies and their elusive way of life represented an affront to Nazi ideas of social order; hard work; and racial purity. They were branded as "asocials;" harassed; and eventually herded into concentration camps where many thousands were killed. But until now the story of their persecution has either been overlooked or distorted. In The Nazi Persecution of the Gypsies; Guenter Lewy draws upon thousands of documents--many never before used--from German and Austrian archives to provide the most comprehensive and accurate study available of the fate of the Gypsies under the Nazi regime. Lewy traces the escalating vilification of the Gypsies as the Nazis instigated a widespread crackdown on the "work-shy" and "itinerants." But he shows that Nazi policy towards Gypsies was confused and changeable. At first; local officials persecuted gypsies; and those who behaved in gypsy-like fashion; for allegedly anti-social tendencies. Later; with the rise of race obsession; Gypsies were seen as a threat to German racial purity; though Himmler himself wavered; trying to save those he considered "pure Gypsies" descended from Aryan roots in India. Indeed; Lewy contradicts much existing scholarship in showing that; however much the Gypsies were persecuted; there was no general program of extermination analogous to the "final solution" for the Jews. Exploring in heart-rending detail the fates of individual Gypsies and their families; The Nazi Persecution of the Gypsies makes an important addition to our understanding both of the history of this mysterious people and of all facets of the Nazi terror.
#487604 in Books Gerda Lerner 1998-02-26Ingredients: Example IngredientsOriginal language:EnglishPDF # 1 7.90 x .80 x 5.30l; 1.12 #File Name: 0195106032382 pagesThe Grimke Sisters from South Carolina Pioneers for Women s Rights and Abolition
Review
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Should be required reading!By CBanksThis is a remarkable read -- the research Gerda Lerner put forth over many years (decades) to preserve the Grimke sisters'place in history (and the prominence they well deserve) is; in itself; inspiring; however; the impact these two sisters had on both the abolitionist and women's rights movements is truly incredible. That I'd never heard of them until I happened to read Sue Monk Kidd's "The Invention of Wings" (which I thought was a mediocre attempt at historical fiction) is disheartening. Lerner's book should be on everyone's required reading list. If you're a fan of David McCullough or Doris Kearns Goodwin; you will certainly appreciate Lerner's methodical and exhaustive approach to historical research as well as her ability to transport you to a very difficult and tragic time in our nation's history.9 of 9 people found the following review helpful. The gutsy Grimke sistersBy Lu Ann W. DarlingThe Grimke sisters were indeed gutsy; southern born women who rebelled against slavery and took to the northern hustings to make their case. Gerda Lerner has done a splendid job of mapping their story.Later I found they were not the only ones in the Grimke family to rebel against "that peculiar institution". Mark Perry's book Lift Up Thy Voice; should be a companion piece; because the sisters had two mulatto nephews they helped educate and who also became abolitionists.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. The Grimke Sisters of South CarolinaBy N. C. AllenAn extremely thorough history of their lives and times. What amazing women they both were; especially given their southern; social background. Very detailed research; but readable. I bought this book to supplement an historical novel based on their lives we were reading for my book club group..
