Oskar Schindler

School Library Journal

Gr 6-8-The lack of expertise and knowledge and the inadequate research performed by both authors is clearly evident in these titles. Byers's writing is dense, confusing, and boring. She barely mentions anti-Semitism and fails to explain the reasons for, or events leading up to, Hitler's Final Solution, making it impossible for readers to understand Oskar Schindler's actions and motivations. Most alarming, however, is her footnote for an article by David Irving, an extremely vocal Holocaust denier. In addition to poor writing, Worth's account of Himmler is riddled with misrepresentations, misleading statements, oversimplifications, and distortions, consisting not only of incorrect information but also of the inclusion of irrelevant material at the expense of significant facts. And, in the last sentence of the book, Worth concludes that "Himmler created the Holocaust," an absurd overstatement. While other scholars and sources have called him the "architect" of the Holocaust, Worth can not conclude that Himmler singlehandedly created it without discussing Hitler, the history of anti-Semitism, and other significant and important facts about life in Germany after World War I-none of which are covered.-Rachel Kamin, Temple Israel Libraries & Media Center, West Bloomfield, MI Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.