The genocide of Jewish and non-Jewish civilians perpetrated by the German regime during World War Two continues to confront scholars with elusive questions even after nearly seventy years and hundreds of studies. This multi-contributory work is a landmark publication that sees experts renowned in their field addressing these questions in light of current research.

A comprehensive introduction to the history of the Holocaust, this volume has 42 chapters which add important depth to the academic study of the Holocaust, both geographically and topically. The chapters address such diverse issues as:






continuities in German and European history with respect to genocide prior to 1939



the eugenic roots of Nazi anti-Semitism



the response of Europe's Jewish Communities to persecution and destruction



the Final Solution as the German occupation instituted it across Europe



rescue and rescuer motivations the problem of prosecuting war crimes



gender and Holocaust experience



the persecution of non-Jewish victims



the Holocaust in postwar cultural venues.

This important collection will be essential reading for all those interested in the history of the Holocaust.