On the Edge of Destruction: Jews of Poland between the two World Wars

By Celia Heller

On the Edge of Destruction, focusing on the Jews of Poland between the two World Wars, illuminates a critical time in the recent Jewish past that has received surprisingly little attention. The... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0805206515
• ISBN13: 9780805206517
• Release Date: January 1987
• Publisher: Schocken
• Length: 256 Pages
• Weight: 1.00 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.6" x 5.5" x 7.9"

Customer Reviews

Important account of Polish Jewish history before the Holocaust

This book presents a vividly written, detailed account of Jewish life in Poland between the two World Wars. It describes the increasing anti-Semitic policies of the Polish governments that restricted Jews from engaging in traditional occupations, limited access to education and provoked anti-Semitic behavior by the country's population. While some have criticized this book as depending too heavily on anecdotal evidence rather than statistical analysis, that evidence is compelling and the book presents life as it was and as it should be known by any one who is interested in the history of the Jews in 20th century Europe. I read this years ago and it has stayed in my memory; I decided to buy it as part of my collection of books on Jewish history.

Bitter truth about life of Jews in Poland

For those with sweet visions of a peaceful multi cultural Poland between the wars this book is a bitter truthful pill to swallow. Chapter after chapter, page by page, it pretty much puts an end to this revisionist image. Every mistreatment of Jews at Polish hands is covered with cool dispassionage detail and adds insight to the fact that this is the story of one minority's mistreatment at Polish hands. Though unintended, it also makes those Polish rescuers who did their best to protect Jews from the Nazis more admirable to me than those of other countries as clearly not only were they going against the occupiers of their country but also their own anti- semitic countrymen. A must read for those interested in this subject.

Best for understanding Jewish life in Poland 1918-1939

Comprehensive view of the Polish Jews between the World Wars. Deals with Tolerance, Hate, Social Structure, Oppression, Terror, Abuse, Faith, Assimilation, Resistance and Self-defense. While the writers style makes for easy reading, some of the subjects are emotionally difficult. This book is a must for understanding the environment in Poland that led to the Holocaust.