Offering a multidimensional approach to one of the most important episodes of the twentieth century; The Columbia Guide to the Holocaust offers readers and researchers a general history of the Holocaust while delving into the core issues and debates in the study of the Holocaust today. Each of the book's five distinct parts stands on its own as valuable research aids; together; they constitute an integrated whole. Part I provides a narrative overview of the Holocaust; placing it within the larger context of Nazi Germany and World War II. Part II examines eight critical issues or controversies in the study of the Holocaust; including the following questions: Were the Jews the sole targets of Nazi genocide; or must other groups; such as homosexuals; the handicapped; Gypsies; and political dissenters; also be included? What are the historical roots of the Holocaust? How and why did the "Final Solution" come about? Why did bystanders extend or withhold aid? Part III consists of a concise chronology of major events and developments that took place surrounding the Holocaust; including the armistice ending World War I; the opening of the first major concentration camp at Dachau; Germany's invasion of Poland; the failed assassination attempt against Hitler; and the formation of Israel.Part IV contains short descriptive articles on more than two hundred key people; places; terms; and institutions central to a thorough understanding of the Holocaust. Entries include Adolf Eichmann; Anne Frank; the Warsaw Ghetto; Aryanization; the SS; Kristallnacht; and the Catholic Church. Part V presents an annotated guide to the best print; video; electronic; and institutional resources in English for further study.Armed with the tools contained in this volume; students or researchers investigating this vast and complicated topic will gain an informed understanding of one of the greatest tragedies in world history.
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Review
29 of 29 people found the following review helpful. A valuable source of teachingsBy HakuyuI'm puzzled why Yampolsky's excellent translation of material from Hakuin (1686-1769) - the eminent reformer of Rinzai Zen in the Tokugawa - hasn't merited a review to date. It provides an excellent selection of material and is well worth looking at:Orategama I; II III.Supplement to the Oretegema.Orategama ZokushoAppended Material to the aboveYabukojiHebichiigo I II. These Japanese titles won't mean a lot - unless you've read extracts. Suffice it to say that Yampolsky has given us the essential Hakuin. Produced as part of a translation programme for Columbia Uni; one might expect the material here to be a trifle dry. However; Yampolsky has approached his task with a good measure of feeling for the genre; without getting bogged down in academic quibbles. What you get; is an accurate and lively translation; capturing well the spirit of Hakuin's teaching - conveyed in his characteristically trenchant style. Hakuin's words will mean the most to those who have determined to practice Zen. But general readers will also enjoy the book. Hakuin was full of interesting anecdotes. Despite the passage of time - and translation into another tongue; something real and vital comes through of Hakuin's teaching; in this book. Never intrusive; Yampolsky's notes have been devoted to explicating key sources; terms; personages and places - which crop up in Hakuin's remarks. The translation is accompanied by a well informed; readable Introduction; giving insight into thebackground to Hakuin's career and writings. Yampolsky has provided a useful Appendix; listing Hakuin's main works. An extensive bibliography details cognate Buddhist sources. Orategama (The Embosssed Tea Kettle); one of Hakuin's most well known works; in fact comprises a series of texts. It began as a letter to Lord Nabeshima; governor of Settsu; dealing with Zen practice in general; matters of health; good governance etc; according to Hakuin's inter-connected view of life-energy. Orategama is partly autobiographical; detailing key experiences; something comparatively rare from Zen masters ('Itsumadegusa;' written toward end of Hakuin's life; represents his autobiography proper). The second part of Orategama comprises a letter of encouragement and advice; sent to a sick monk. It recapitulates Hakuin's experiences; training with Shoju Rojin; and again touches on the healing methods (nanso-no-ho) that Hakuin had used to cure his own ills. Some of this material duplicates that found in the Yasenkanna (not included here).Part 3 of Orategama contains Hakuin's letter to a Nun; explaining the nuance of the Lotus Sutra; very much in Zen terms. Hakuin retained a life-long veneration for this sutra. The final part of Orategama provides counsel for a former disciple; stressing the need to mature and deepen his insight; without hanging on to partial realization. In Orategama Zokusho - an extensive document; Hakuin gives his account of the relationship between Koan and Nembutsu practice. Contrary to what has often been stated; Hakuin did not condemn the Nembutsu (calling on the Buddha's name). He acknowledged its merits in this letter. What Hakuin did not approve of; was joint-practice of these methods. Yampolsky doesn't say much about the issue; so it is worth pointing out that in post-Kamakura Japan; Nembutsu practice came to be regarded as the way of strict 'tariki' or 'other-power' - giving up all reliance on 'jiriki' or 'self-power' - as found in Zen. For such reasons; Hakuin deemed it unconducive to Zen practice. Other interpretations of nembutsu (e.g. Yung-ming's; or those used at the Mampukuji Obakuzan) would yield fewer difficulties. What concerned Hakuin; was that his followers should attain 'singleness of mind' - and; if they attained it; pursuing any practice single-mindedly; that was enough for him. (He acknowledged Rennyo and Honen's attainments; Shingon masters such as Myohen Sozu etc. - in this vein). The 'Appended' material follows kindred themes. Hebi-ichigo is a much neglected text - not least; because it was once banned by the authorities. It contains some pretty stiff criticism of the ruling aristocracy and the heavy tax burden falling on Japanese peasant farmers. This is worth noting; in view of the now commonly held notion that the Rinzai tradition has always been ready to comply with the ruling elite. Sent in reply to a letter from a retainer of Ikeda (Iyo-no-kami); Hakuin's response is decked out with courtesies -but; beneath the surface politeness; it constitutes a veritable diatribe. This certainly made Hakuin an 'engaged' Buddhist; and shows his strong; independence of spirit. I recommend reading Yampolsky's work in conjunction with Norman Waddell's 'Wild Ivy' (Itsumadegusa); a translation of Hakuin's autobiography; plus the extracts from Hakuin's 'Keiso dokuzui' presented by Miura/Sasaki (cf. 'The Zen Koan'). While certainly the chief 'reformer' of Rinzai Zen in his time -and remembered as such today; the valuable thing about reading the sources noted above; is that Hakuin does not come over as someone obsessed with the narrower bounds of sectarian identity. As his writings show; he had digested the teachings of all the great T'ang and Sung masters. Despite modern-day cliches; Hakuin capped his own training system with the 'Go-I' or 'Five Ranks' of the Soto(Chin. Ts'ao-tung) school. For him - they were one of a piece - and complementary. Hakuin had a broad mind; as befits one of the way.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy Sara HollandErudite and lively.. Very helpful. Ted
