Facing the Nazi Past examines how the communist East viewed the events of these years very differently from West Germany during the Cold War. Following the unification of Germany, these contrasting memories of the Third Reich have contributed to a new perspective on this period of German history.

Facing the Nazi Past explores the developments and debates that were symptomatic of this shift towards a more open confrontation with the past, such as:

* the image of resistance to Hitler in united Germany
* changes at concentration camp memorial sites since 1990
* the commemoration of 8 May 1945 in 1995
* how the revelations in Goldhagen's startling book Hitler's Willing Executioners triggered new discussion
* the plans for the construction of a Holocaust Memorial.

Anyone; students, scholars or interested readers, who are involved in the study of European history, will find this an enthralling and informative read.

About the Author
Bill Niven is Reader in German at the Nottingham Trent University. He has published widely on the ways in which West and East Germany viewed the history of the Third Reich. His recent publications include (with J.K.A.Thomaneck) Dividing and Uniting Germany (Routledge, 2000).

Reviews

'vital reading for anyone interested in an insightful account of the most recent debates' - Karoline von Oppen

'lucid and extraordinary well-documented survey... This book deserves to be widely read; indeed it is essential to all who study and teach courses in contemporary German politics, culture and society. - Joachim Whaley, Journal for European Studies, XXXII, 2002

Book Information
ISBN 9780415262811
Author Bill Niven
Format Paperback
Page Count 288
Imprint Routledge
Publisher Taylor & Francis Ltd
Weight(grams) 440g