In this issue, we present a review of new books printed abroad. This review is designed to expose readers to useful new publications that otherwise might remain unknown.

• L’Album D’Auschwitz, Edition pour La Memoire de la Shoah
• Auschwitz-Prozess 4 ks 2/63. Frankfurt am Main. Edited by Irmtrud Wojak and the Fritz Bauer Institut Staff, Fritz Bauer Institut, Frankfurt a.M 2005
   

L’Album D’Auschwitz, Edition pour La Memoire de la Shoah

It might seem to some that after the complete documented and scientific edition of this Album published two years ago by Yad Vashem in cooperation with the Auschwitz-Birkenau National Museum, a new publication would be superfluous, especially since the Album has also been published in several editions and in different languages.  Indeed this edition, published at the initiative of Serge Klarsfeld, also does not provide any new insights into the fascinating subject of the Album and yet it definitely should not be passed over.

It should be pointed out that Klarsfeld was instrumental to a large degree in bringing the Album to the attention of the general public.  Due to his efforts in the 1970’s, Lili Jacob gave the Album to Yad Vashem.

In addition, Klarsfeld was the first one who discovered the photographs in the Prague Jewish Museum and he published them in one modest volume in Paris, in 1980.  All subsequent editions were based on his initial effort. In this new edition, the reader will understand all the necessary elements for examining the photographs; historical background, explanations of the photographs and what hides behind them, details about Lili Jacob, as well as how she discovered the album.

This French edition, certainly presents the reader with a good factual and historical frame of reference. Part of the information in this edition has previously appeared in the Yad Vashem-Auschwitz State Museum publication, such as the identification of some of the victims and perpetrators in the photographs. Another advantage of this edition is the printing of the pictures in their original size and in the same format of the album. The explanations of the photographs are, for the most part, well done.

Klarsfeld’s edition does not reveal any new exciting discoveries, nor is the mystery surrounding the album solved. Outstanding questions remain; for example - who gave the order for the 207 photographs to be taken, for what reason, and who carried out the order? [We have partial and circumstantial answers in the names of Hoffmann and Walter.] It also remains unclear who wrote the inscription in poor German on the inside cover and whether the album was put to any use or simply laid aside.

The French-language edition augments any library devoted to Holocaust Studies.    Klarsfeld’s initiative in publishing this edition is to be commended.

L’Album D’Auschwitz, Editions Al Dante/ Edition pour La Memoire de la Shoah, Paris 2005, 152 p.

Auschwitz-Prozess 4 ks 2/63. Frankfurt am Main. Edited by Irmtrud Wojak and the Fritz Bauer Institut Staff, Fritz Bauer Institut, Frankfurt a.M 2005, 872 p.

This is one of the heaviest books (in terms of sheer weight) on the Holocaust that has appeared in the last decade. Yet any effort invested in reading it (and carrying it) is well worthwhile. This volume, published concurrently with the ongoing historical exhibition in German cities marking 40 years since the Frankfurt Trials (1963-1965), is a treasure trove of information on Auschwitz, its Jewish and non-Jewish victims, the German perpetrators and their collaborators.

Anything you have ever wanted to know about the Auschwitz Trials, the history of the camp, its structure, functioning, and organization can be found in this book. Much effort has obviously been invested in all facets of its preparation: research, assembly of artifacts and historical documents, design and printing. The editing job is superb – there are virtually no printing or linguistic errors.

The book stresses the historical importance of the Auschwitz criminals’ trials, unofficially named the “Frankfurt Trials”, conducted in Germany in the 1960’s. As a result of these trials, German society was confronted for the first time with German crimes carried out against Jews and others in the Auschwitz-Birkenau extermination camp. They now faced hundreds of personal testimonies relating to German atrocities: abuse, unbounded violence, humiliations, sadism, barbarism and finally ruthless murder. The Frankfurt Trials fundamentally shifted the attitude of the German public towards Nazi atrocities, and greatly increased awareness of the brutal history of Auschwitz-Birkenau.

The book is a valuable resource for anyone who wishes to deepen his or her knowledge of the trials. It also stands as a tribute to Dr. Fritz Bauer, District Attorney in Hesse, without whose insistence, perseverance and bravery, these trials would never have had taken place.

Auschwitz-Prozess 4 ks 2/63. Frankfurt am Main. Edited by Irmtrud Wojak and the Fritz Bauer Institut Staff, Fritz Bauer Institut, Frankfurt a.M 2005, 872 p.

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