Lessons of the Holocaust

‘Marrus offers a bold and superb assessment of prescriptions drawn from Holocaust history. This is as much an exploration of the uses and abuses of Holocaust history as an intellectual biography, a commentary on decades of studying and teaching the Holocaust.’

Joanna Sliwa, H-Poland/H-Net Reviews January 2018

‘Lessons of the Holocaust is a masterful work of far-reaching significance for scholars, undergraduates and graduate students, and non-specialists that only gains in relevance with time.’

Rebekah Klein-Pejšová, Canadian Journal of History - vol 53:01:2018

"This book makes for great reading in introductory classes on the Holocaust and especially in those on Holocaust memory."

Thomas Kühne, Seventeenth Century News

"Lessons of the Holocaust is a joy to read. Written with clarity and verve, it covers a lot of ground elegantly and efficiently. But be prepared; at some point, it will hit you how profoundly this book has challenged what you thought you knew about the Holocaust."

Doris L. Bergen, University of Toronto, University of Toronto Quarterly, vol 87 3, Summer 2018

“There are no ‘lessons’ of the Holocaust. The conclusions people draw from this mind-boggling series of events we call ‘Holocaust,’ that is, the genocide of the Jews at the hands of Nazi Germany and its allies and supporters, are varied, and change over time. That is the core message of this fascinating book by one of the masters of the historical art and a major figure in Holocaust historiography.”

Yehuda Bauer, Professor Emeritus of History and Holocaust Studies, Hebrew University of Jerusalem

“Academic memoir, erudite historiographical essay, provocative challenge to a flood of clichés, thoughtful analysis of the nature and purpose of the historical profession, and intellectual feast  – Michael Marrus’ Lessons of the Holocaust is all of these and a constant delight to read.”

Christopher R. Browning, Frank Porter Graham Professor of History Emeritus, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

“Lessons of the Holocaust makes an important argument, relevant to scholars and popular audiences alike: that we must challenge, even discard, unquestioned pieties regarding the Holocaust. This is an excellent, stimulating book, sure to be both well received and widely discussed.”

Susannah Heschel, Eli Black Professor of Jewish Studies, Dartmouth College