Eighty-five percent of Italy’s Jews survived World War II. Nevertheless; more than six thousand Italian Jews were destroyed in the Holocaust and the lives of countless others were marked by terror. Susan Zuccotti relates hundreds of stories showing the resourcefulness of the Jews; the bravery of those who helped them; and the inhumanity and indifference of others. For Zuccotti; the Holocaust in Italy began when the first “black-shirted thug†poured a bottle of castor oil down the throat of his victim; or when the dignity of a single human being was violated. She writes: “We might examine again how most Italians behaved from the onset of fascism. . . . Did they do as much as they could? Or should they; and the Jews as well; have recognized the danger sooner; with the first denial of liberty and free speech? We might also ask ourselves whether we; as creatures without prejudice; would act as well as most Italians did under similar pressures. Would we risk our lives for persecuted minorities? Would we be more sensitive to the first assaults upon our liberties; when the only ones really hurt in the beginning are Communists; Socialists; democratic anti-Fascists; and trade unionists? And finally; we might be more aware than we are of the horrors that a racist lunatic fringe can commit; even in the best of societies.â€
#1020452 in Books University of Nebraska Press 1994-04-01Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.02 x .88 x 5.98l; 1.28 #File Name: 0803282133401 pages
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Delineation of Women's Suffrage; Rights and Opportunities in the 19th CenturyBy VIRGINIA KURZWEGSince there is so little to read about this subject; I read it avidly. It is dry and factoid in its approach. It was written before social history becamedeveloped. So you don't get nearly the context of the culture that would season later offerings on the subject. I think this is an importantbook for writers who came afterwards and learned how to flesh out characters as well as cultures. It is excellent in mentioning what womenwere learning how to do for a living and how the Civil War expanded women's workplace options. Few people know (I didn't) that the women'ssuffrage movement essentially started with the Abolitionist movement and was relegated to also-ran status as the dire needs of the enslavedpopulation were considered far more important than the rights of women. For anyone interested in the long history of the women's suffragemovement; I would think this is a must-read. It goes back to the movement in its infancy.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy Flint LockWonderful!6 of 6 people found the following review helpful. An outline of amazing researchBy VivianI found this book nicely organized..... a good resouce for further research. The thought of one going through thousands of letters and journals is overwhelming to me; but there is no other way to get this overall picture of what it was like to be a woman in this country; during this period. I will keep this book forever and refer to it often. Thank you M.E.M.; etc for your gift.