Why?

Explaining the Holocaust

By: Peter Hayes

Narrated by: Don Hagen

Length: 13 hrs and 21 mins

Publisher's summary

Featured in the PBS documentary The US and the Holocaust by Ken Burns, Lynn Novick, and Sarah Botstein

A bold new exploration that answers the most commonly asked questions about the Holocaust.

Despite the outpouring of books, movies, museums, memorials, and courses devoted to the Holocaust, a coherent explanation of why such ghastly carnage erupted from the heart of civilized Europe in the 20th century still seems elusive even 70 years later. Numerous theories have sprouted in an attempt to console ourselves and to point the blame in emotionally satisfying directions—yet none of them are fully convincing. As witnesses to the Holocaust near the ends of their lives, it becomes that much more important to unravel what happened and to educate a new generation about the horrors inflicted by the Nazi regime on Jews and non-Jews alike.

Why? dispels many misconceptions and answers some of the most basic—yet vexing—questions that remain: why the Jews and not another ethnic group? Why the Germans? Why such a swift and sweeping extermination? Why didn't more Jews fight back more often? Why didn't they receive more help? While responding to the questions he has been most frequently asked by students over the decades, world-renowned Holocaust historian and professor Peter Hayes brings a wealth of scholarly research and experience to bear on conventional, popular views of the history, challenging some of the most prominent recent interpretations. He argues that there is no single theory that "explains" the Holocaust; the convergence of multiple forces at a particular moment in time led to catastrophe.

In clear prose informed by an encyclopedic knowledge of Holocaust literature in English and German, Hayes weaves together stories and statistics to heart-stopping effect. Why? is an authoritative, groundbreaking exploration of the origins of one of the most tragic events in human history.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.

©2017 Peter Hayes (P)2017 Gildan Media LLC

good book, bad pronunciation

the book is fantastic but the narrator's mispronunciations are difficult to listen to. it's odd for someone to pronounce Lodz correctly, but not majdanek, chelmno, or yad vashem.

Outstanding!

Wow! Thorough, evenhanded, insightful, precise and oh so very important. Not just “what” but “how” and of course “why.”

Outstanding book! A must read

Let this awesome intensive recollection of humankind's most tragic, violent and atrocious capacities serve as a reminder and lesson for all in the future that hate and racism will ultimately bring us all to the brink of destruction. Truly a masterpiece! Narration was great too

Excellent read/listen for those asking Why?

As the grandson of a enthusiastic Nazi grandfather who died in the battle of Kursk, I have often been troubled by the question of how a person who my mother had very fond memories of and who was according to her and her siblings was a loving father with a pleasant personality could be willingly associated with such a horrible group. This book has helped give me some insights as to why my grandparents and so many Germans were caught up in this culture of destruction. I think of these things more and more as I witness the sprouting of the same ideological ilk here in the USA and other parts of the world. It is the responsibility of all of us to make sure we never allow the spirit of Nazi Germany to re-emerge again.

The best introduction to German anti-Semitism!!!

This book is a GEM! Firstly, because it deals with a vitally important subject. Secondly, because it is splendidly written. Not only is the writing engaging and wonderfully clear, but it is read by one of Audible's best readers, Don Hagen. After hearing two minutes, I immediately bought the Kindle version. (I have found that I retain information much better if I have both seen and heard the text than if I had only heard or read it). Finally, the level of description is basic but not in the least bit "dummied down". It's the best introduction to the phenomenon of German anti-Semitism and the Holocaust that I've ever encountered. I recommend it to general readers and those who, like me, are obsessed with trying to understand how a cultured, educated nation like 20th century Germany could have harbored - and largely encouraged - so profound an evil as "The Final Solution of the Jewish Question".

Great and Important Book

A we’ll written and thorough examination of the Holocaust. One of the finest works of history on the tragedy.

Best book I"ve read on the holocaust

The book traces all the factors leading up to the Holocaust and all the various parts of it. It goes into details I rarely heard before.

I am now in my thirs reading of this book and plan to read it many more times.

Wonderful and Provocative

This is the single best layman’s book on the history and explanation of the Holocaust and it’s implications

Superb history

Very well documented with lots of economic data that are important. An important book about the Holocaust.

Modulated narration of illuminating book

Don Hagen gives a well modulated narration of Peter Hayes’s WHY? EXPLAINING THE HOLOCAUST. Hayes, a long-time professor at Northwestern University on the subject has written a clear and illuminating book that I would recommend as the primary one to read on the topic if it is the only book you read or if you plan on reading other books on the topic or related to it.