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The Massacre of Lithuania's Jews : Lithuanian Collaboration in the Final Solution, 1941 1944 exposes several misconceptions concerning the role of Lithuanians, both the leaders and the ordinary people, in rounding up and murdering their Jewish neighbors during the Holocaust. It is well documented that Lithuanians, before and during the Nazi occupation, actively killed Jews on their own initiative. However, what is uncovered here is that under Nazi rule Lithuanian officials and church leaders were not merely puppets of the Germans, but showed great ability to maneuver and resist German directives in nearly every other realm, with the sole exception of executing the Final Solution. Although this scholarly exposition shines light on the extraordinary acts of a precious few Lithuanians in assisting Jews, it also exposes the far more typical acts of the many, whose indifference, hatred, or self-interest made genocide possible in Lithuania. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

A Necessary Contribution
Ms. Sutton's book is too short; contained one glaring howler - "the Bolsheviks overthrew the Czar," on page 23; and offers only an "index of names," an irritatingly elitist style of indexing frustrating for a general reader.But this in no way detracts from this work as a well-argued and sound corrective to post-Communist self-righteousness in eastern Europe.Lithuania isn't the only place in the region seeking rehabilitation of old prejudices while concealing festering crimes, but it is certainly one of the bitterest theaters of revisionism.

The "justification" for Holocaust participation, as she effectively demonstrates, is the myth of "Judeo-Bolshevik" collaboration, a theory of "symmetry" designed to absolve Lithuanian Nazi collaborators of any historic responsibility to their victims.Ms. Sutton analyzes this myth and finds it self-serving, based on a prejudicial interpretation of Jews and Jewry.In titling one chapter "Separate and Unequal History" she inadvertantly makes an obvious comparison, of Baltic states and American Dixiecrats.Paralleling their Baltic counterparts, Southern Americans cherish a mythology of national struggle which was, of course, "not about slavery" or "white supremacy" but only over self-determination; that things were fine between majority and minority if not for the rabble-rousing of "Yankee-Abolitionists."Substitute the following terms - Holocaust, anti-Semitism, Jew-Communists - for those in quotation marks, and the rationalizations should become quite familiar.

Like minorities elsewhere, Jews were attracted to socialist ideas because of the "internationalist humanism" originally associated with them, a reaction to the discrimination and humiliations of daily life in an environment designed to deny them full human participation.Thus it's not surprising for them to look to the "Union" and "Yankee Abolitionists" over the border for deliverance.That the "affirmative action" reality did not match the expectation for the Jews of Lithuania certainly can't be their fault but, somehow, it is made to be.Ms. Sutton states at length how only a bigoted view of "the Jew" made possible the lumping together of Orthodox, Zionists, secular Marxists, and middle-class businessmen in a "vast left-wing conspiracy" against the bleeding innocence of Lithuania.

Lithuanians and other east Europeans do themselves no favors by covering the historic tracks, wrapping the perpetrators of war crimes in their national flags, or relativizing the suffering of others.As the (often fanatic) cries of victimhood furiously pour forth from east European communities, at home and abroad, works like Ms. Sutton's, Bernhard Press' "The Murder of the Jews in Latvia," and Jan Gross' "Neighbors" and "Fear" correct the historical narrative and prevent the perpetrators from getting away - morally, at least - with murder.

Informative
A significant contribution to the history of atrocities committed against Jews during the Second World War. Karen Sutton offers sound arguments to the involvement of Lithuanian people in Hitler's Final Solution. Read at times as a research dissertation, it is none the less interesting and well written.
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In 1990 Lithuania became the first Soviet republic to break with the communist empire by declaring the restitution of political independence. Depicting a country at the crossroads of imperial designs, Vardys and Sedaitis trace the history, development, and ultimate group triumph of the Lithuanian nation. Lightning Print On Demand Title ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Truly interesting, highly informative, packed with in-depth historical research.
This is a great book, one especially meaningful to those of us who are of Lithuanian descent. Of course if you are of Estonian or Latvian descent the book will hold special meaning for you also. You see that even though the book is now already thirteen (13) years old (published in 1997), the facts that it uncovers were hidden for years by the Soviet occupiers of the Baltic republics. I, for one, the daughter of Lithuanian refugees who left Lithuania in 1944 to escape the extreme deportations that were being enforced at the time felt that it was important that I know as much of the truth as I could.

The book begins with a brief description of the early history of Lithuania reminding us that "Lithuanians appear as a nation in the pages of historical writings when the Grand Duke Mindaugas integrated the Lithuanian tribes into a single state around 1230."In Chapter 2 the authors write of Lithuania's first "Taste of Independence" between 1918 and 1940 before they describe the terrible days of Soviet occupation in Chapters 3 and 4: "Foreign Rule:Invasion from the East" and "Resistance, Survival and Reform." Chapter 4 already begins to describe the Sajudis movement which is detailed in Chapter 5 "Sajudis and the Party: The March Towards Independence".Vardys and Sedaitis tell us "What started as Gorbachev's intended 'pluralistic socialism' in Lithuania turned into a struggle for democratic pluralism as well as national liberation. The Lithuanian Movement for Restructuring (Lietuvos Persitvarykymo Sajudis) or simply Sajudis (Movement), quickly became the main focal point of the emerging groups and was the engine that drove social and political change in the republic."The book concludes with Chapters 6 and 7:"Between the Kremlin and the West:Securing Independence" and "New Beginnings: The Politics of Transition."

Although not an easy read (the book is extremely detailed), it is nonetheless a very important book historicaly which makes it very interesting. Evidence of extensive research is everywhere. Even if you are not a Lithuanian you would be impressed at the tenacity of the Lithuanian spirit. A Lithuanian may lose battle after battle but he will NEVER lose the war!
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Although Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania are culturally distinct, they share a common theatre history characterized by resistance, first as a response to Nazi occupation, then as an ideological weapon countering their annexation under strict Soviet ideology. This comprehensive overview of contemporary theatre in the Baltic states includes interviews with major directors, writers, academics and critics, critiques of significant performances, and historical information to familiarize readers with the region. It not only discusses the political ramifications of the three countries' transition from occupied Soviet states to independent members of the European Union, but also addresses the aesthetic, cultural and national issues associated with the move to independence and the adaptation of a Western economic model. More than an introduction, this book is a forum for ideas as well as a detailed, first-hand account of the current scene in Baltic theatre. While useful for anyone interested in contemporary theatre, it is also essential reading for those interested in Baltic studies, post Soviet cultural history, and recent trends in East European literature. ... Read more

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In 1990, the tiny Soviet Republic of Lithuania declared independence and began restoring the mechanisms of independent government and democracy that had been suppressed by its Soviet invaders for half a century. "Lithuania" examines the first years of this rebirth in the face of the legacy of the Soviet occupation. In addition to chronicling the lively chain of events leading to and stemming from the declaration of independence, Alexandra Ashbourne studies the essential components of rebirth: the creation of domestic, foreign, and security policies and the revitalization of an independent economy. Drawing from the personal testimony of Lithuanians closely connected to these events, Ashbourne appraises Lithuania's attempts to rejoin the international community and acquire an effective security guarantee. She concludes that the damage caused by fifty years of Soviet domination created obstacles to the process of rebirth, obstacles that are proving difficult and even impossible to overcome. Readers of "Lithuania" will find its discussions applicable to most former Soviet republics and Eastern Bloc states. The book will be invaluable to students and scholars of Lithuania, Soviet history, and international political policy. ... Read more

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This digital document is an article from Worldmark Encyclopedia of National Economies, brought to you by Gale®, a part of Cengage Learning, a world leader in e-research and educational publishing for libraries, schools and businesses.The length of the article is 6576 words.The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase.You can view it with any web browser.Advances in technology continue to accelerate the pace at which people and companies are doing business with entities in foreign countries. As a result, the demand for comprehensive, up-to-date economic information about foreign companies has increased as well. The Worldmark Encyclopedia of National Economies satisfies this immediate need and provides a thorough understanding of the current and historical economic development of foreign nations. Clearly arranged by country within broad geographic regions, the Worldmark Encyclopedia of National Economies provides accurate, in-depth analysis of each country's economic environment, reliable statistics on the country's current economic conditions and trends and key demographics of the nation's citizens. ... Read more

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Identity and Freedom provides a discursive map of Lithuanian liberal nationalism by focusing on the work of three eminent Lithuanian émigré scholars - Vytautas Kavolis, Aleksandras Shtromas and Tomas Venclova. Presenting these critics of society - and also analysing the significant impact of such writers as George Orwell and Czeslaw Milosz on Lithuanian political and cultural dissent - the book elaborates their three models of liberal nationalism as social criticism.Incorporating material which has so far only been available in Lithuanian, Polish and Russian sources, this book will be invaluable for anyone interested in Central and East European politics, culture and society. ... Read more

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A fascinating story of the author's reminiscences of his travelsthrough Lithuania and the indestructible souls he encountered andlearned about.A beautiful portrait of Lithuania captured in thesensitive words and observations of the author.It is a tantalizingstory of medieval history, current day politics, and economicperspectives entwined with fairy tales, poems, antiquities, and hisadoration of the beauty he found in Lithuania.It all comes together,little by little, to introduce Lithuania as a vibrant and colorfulcountry. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Very good book about Lithuania
Harold C Wilson's book present a remarkable story of Lithuania, a country with a troubled history. The autor's strength is his ability to merge successfully his personal reflections and the stories of the glorious past of the country as well as the astonishing atrocities of 'times of darkness. It's true, honest, amazing sincere and nobody could say better than that. We, Lithuanians, remember, know and respect the past. We are really proud of the present, today, and hope for a brighter future.

We also hope this brilliant Book will undoubtedly win Lithuania more friends, if that's at all possible.
Thank You Mr. Wilson, for deep-rooted love for the country of your ancestors and its people. You masterly succeeded in disclosing their unbending spirit and indestructible soul.
So help You God.

Philologist,
Vilnius, Lithuania

A few gems but needs help
Harold C. Wilsonexpresses his love and admiration for Lithuania but over and over again! Enough already!It is poorly edited, redundant and the organization of the book is fragmented. The photography needs help! However there are some strong points: the poetry, the history and the stories of the heroism of Lithuanian patriots probably can not be found anywhere else. A good start but edit the hell out of the thing. Get rid of the many references of kugelis and Lithuanian horseradish. Who cares how many times you eat it! ... Read more

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In English.This album provides a great deal of important information about Lithuania's historical, cultural, and economic development and situation on the eve of the 21st century. Facts and comments on Lithuanian nature, population, art, geopolitics, food, everyday life, etc. reveal a very impressive picture of the country. Also available in Lithuanian, see listing: Lietuva. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A great addition for anyone that loves Lithuania
Lithuania- Past, Culture, Present is a well done table book featuring numerous high quality photographs and well written sections on Lithuania's inhabitants, language, rural heritage, estates, religion, emmigration and ethnic composition.I stumbled onto this during my last trip to Vilnius and was completely pleased to see it now available here in the U.S.It follows the style of something you might see published by Time-Life.As with other books published in Lithuania, you will want to grab this one while you can.Printing runs tend to be small and sporadic at best.It is truly excellent. ... Read more