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For Justice: The Serge & Beate Klarsfeld Story
The remarkable true story of a mild-mannered French husband and wife who become the world's most revered pair of Nazi hunters.
For more than five decades, Serge and Beate Klarsfeld have devoted their lives to seeking justice for the victims and survivors of the evils wrought upon humanity by the Holocaust. Over the years, they have received numerous national awards for their lifetime of work hunting down Nazi war criminals and forcing Europe to face the horrors of its past.
For Justice: The Serge and Beate Klarsfeld Story is the tale of their relentless crusade for justice and their emergence as a voice for the voiceless.
Written in partnership with Serge and Beate Klarsfeld.
For more than five decades, Serge and Beate Klarsfeld have devoted their lives to seeking justice for the victims and survivors of the evils wrought upon humanity by the Holocaust. Over the years, they have received numerous national awards for their lifetime of work hunting down Nazi war criminals and forcing Europe to face the horrors of its past.
For Justice: The Serge and Beate Klarsfeld Story is the tale of their relentless crusade for justice and their emergence as a voice for the voiceless.
Written in partnership with Serge and Beate Klarsfeld.
208 pages, Paperback
First published September 9, 2020
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September 21, 2020
"I sought justice passionately and I hope I contributed to establishing historical truth".
"Remember those who fight can lose...but those who never fight have already lost".
Beate Kunkel, an au pair and Serge Klarsfeld, a political science university student have a chance encounter at a Paris Metro station in 1960. Coffee, conversation and an exchange of ideas follow. Serge, of French Jewish descent, shares his family history. His father was rounded up by the German police in Nice in 1943 while Serge, his sister and mother hid behind a partition in a small closet. "I was supposed to be on the same deportation. I wasn't, thanks to my father. I had the feeling of having this supplementary life. I had to use it" [Serge Klarsfeld]. Beate, a Lutheran German stated, "Where I come from, no one ever talks about what the Third Reich did, we bury our heads in the sand and pretend we've moved on" [Beate Karsfeld]. Serge and Beate team up in marriage and in a tireless attempt to "help restore the truth".
Starting in the late 1960's, although WW II had ended two decades before, Serge and Beate Karsfeld embarked upon a crusade to unmask Nazi war criminals, some convicted in absentia. Many were living "cushy" lives, some in plain sight, others in foreign countries under new identities.
In 1968, it started with a slap. "The slap was symbolic, Kiesinger's crimes were real". At a full session of the Bonn Parliament, Chancellor Kiesinger was speaking. Beate had "the audacity to interrupt his speech shouting, 'Kiesinger, Nazi, Resign'." "...many people consider [her] a hero with one slap...".
Their lives often in danger, their finances stretched beyond belief, however, they persevered in hunting for the biggest bureaucratic criminals, those whose signatures were placed on deportation convoys. Finally, a game changer! An order signed by Klaus Barbie to transfer a convoy of 44 children and 7 teachers from a children's home in Izieu to Auschwitz. In 1993, "French Children of the Holocaust: A Memorial" was published in France. "The world knows the face of Anne Frank. Here are the faces of children,...a tiny fraction soon to be killed".
"For Justice: The Serge & Berte Klarsfeld Story" by Pascal Bresson is a historical graphic novel describing the Klarsfeld's quest to bring Nazi criminals to justice and to hold the Vichy government accountable for the role it played in WW II. The artwork by Sylvain Dorange is finely detailed in muted colors, adding to the eye appeal of the novel. Author and illustrator are to be commended.
Thank you Humanoids Inc, Life Drawn and Net Galley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
"Remember those who fight can lose...but those who never fight have already lost".
Beate Kunkel, an au pair and Serge Klarsfeld, a political science university student have a chance encounter at a Paris Metro station in 1960. Coffee, conversation and an exchange of ideas follow. Serge, of French Jewish descent, shares his family history. His father was rounded up by the German police in Nice in 1943 while Serge, his sister and mother hid behind a partition in a small closet. "I was supposed to be on the same deportation. I wasn't, thanks to my father. I had the feeling of having this supplementary life. I had to use it" [Serge Klarsfeld]. Beate, a Lutheran German stated, "Where I come from, no one ever talks about what the Third Reich did, we bury our heads in the sand and pretend we've moved on" [Beate Karsfeld]. Serge and Beate team up in marriage and in a tireless attempt to "help restore the truth".
Starting in the late 1960's, although WW II had ended two decades before, Serge and Beate Karsfeld embarked upon a crusade to unmask Nazi war criminals, some convicted in absentia. Many were living "cushy" lives, some in plain sight, others in foreign countries under new identities.
In 1968, it started with a slap. "The slap was symbolic, Kiesinger's crimes were real". At a full session of the Bonn Parliament, Chancellor Kiesinger was speaking. Beate had "the audacity to interrupt his speech shouting, 'Kiesinger, Nazi, Resign'." "...many people consider [her] a hero with one slap...".
Their lives often in danger, their finances stretched beyond belief, however, they persevered in hunting for the biggest bureaucratic criminals, those whose signatures were placed on deportation convoys. Finally, a game changer! An order signed by Klaus Barbie to transfer a convoy of 44 children and 7 teachers from a children's home in Izieu to Auschwitz. In 1993, "French Children of the Holocaust: A Memorial" was published in France. "The world knows the face of Anne Frank. Here are the faces of children,...a tiny fraction soon to be killed".
"For Justice: The Serge & Berte Klarsfeld Story" by Pascal Bresson is a historical graphic novel describing the Klarsfeld's quest to bring Nazi criminals to justice and to hold the Vichy government accountable for the role it played in WW II. The artwork by Sylvain Dorange is finely detailed in muted colors, adding to the eye appeal of the novel. Author and illustrator are to be commended.
Thank you Humanoids Inc, Life Drawn and Net Galley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
February 21, 2021
Start off by slapping a Nazi and then chase other Nazi assholes all over Europe and South America in order to bring them to justice? Hell yeah!
I was not familiar with the Klarsfelds before this book, but now I'm a big admirer. Even though this is an authorized story, it is not afraid to make them look a little off-kilter and even incompetent in their crusade to bring Nazis to trial even decades after the end of World War II. It's disheartening to see the wheels of justice turn so slowly, but inspiring to see people committed to seeing it through to the end.
Superhero writer Mark Waid helped with the English translation of this French graphic novel adapted from the memoirs of Serge and Beate Klarsfeld.
I was not familiar with the Klarsfelds before this book, but now I'm a big admirer. Even though this is an authorized story, it is not afraid to make them look a little off-kilter and even incompetent in their crusade to bring Nazis to trial even decades after the end of World War II. It's disheartening to see the wheels of justice turn so slowly, but inspiring to see people committed to seeing it through to the end.
Superhero writer Mark Waid helped with the English translation of this French graphic novel adapted from the memoirs of Serge and Beate Klarsfeld.
February 8, 2022
This was a hard book to read, but I’m so thankful to have read it. I didn’t realize that so many high ranking Nazis lived peaceful lives after the war, not being held accountable for their war crimes. I didn’t realize that so many high ranking Nazis simply moved to South American countries and continued in high ranking positions there. I didn’t realize that high ranking Nazis were aided by my country, and that my country helped them avoid being held responsible for their war crimes. That is sickening.
I’m thankful that the Klarsfelds did not let the world forget these men, and that so many of them finally faced justice. I’m thankful that the victims of these men were not forgotten or silenced.
I’m thankful that the Klarsfelds did not let the world forget these men, and that so many of them finally faced justice. I’m thankful that the victims of these men were not forgotten or silenced.
June 20, 2022
I loved that she slapped him, rather memorable as I read this about nine months ago. I also recalled beauty in their character and language; determination, tenacity, commitment, risk, family values/love. It could probably stand a reread as I'm now fuzzy on the details, but I really enjoyed it.
June 22, 2023
This is simply a case where I think the medium of the graphic novel just isn't the best vehicle for the material. The story tells us interesting and important historical information, but the matter-of-fact way it's presented just doesn't do it for me.
With comics, you have the opportunity to attach any imagery you can imagine to help hammer home the impact of what you're saying. I feel that opportunity was missed here.
The art is fine, but nothing stunning. I was glad I read this because it's a part of history surrounding two fascinating people of whom I was totally ignorant. I just think it would've been more impactful to me as a book or short story.
With comics, you have the opportunity to attach any imagery you can imagine to help hammer home the impact of what you're saying. I feel that opportunity was missed here.
The art is fine, but nothing stunning. I was glad I read this because it's a part of history surrounding two fascinating people of whom I was totally ignorant. I just think it would've been more impactful to me as a book or short story.
June 12, 2021
"Nazi, Nazi, Nazi!"
😳
Eine junge Frau hat sich mithilfe eines fremden Presseausweises in die Berliner Kongresshalle geschlichen, sich bis nach ganz vorn zum damaligen Bundeskanzler Kiesinger gedrängelt, ihm mehrere Ohrfeigen verpasst und lautstark geschimpft. Derlei Unverschämtheiten werden in der jungen Bundesrepublik gar nicht gern gesehen und man nimmt sie augenblicklich fest. Aber ihr Kampf ist noch nicht vorbei: die Frau heißt Beate Klarsfeld und sie und ihr Mann Serge sträuben sich gegen das Vergessen. Einen Bundeskanzler, der während des Dritten Reichs als ranghohes NSDAP-Mitglied gedient hat, wollen sie nicht akzeptieren und lösen einen öffentlichen Skandal aus.
💥
Acht Jahre zuvor war Beate nach Paris ausgewandert, wo sie zunächst als Au-pair arbeitete und ihren späteren Mann Serge kennengelernt hat. Serge ist französischer Jude, sein Vater wurde in Auschwitz ermordet. Erst durch seine Schilderungen erfährt Beate von den Gräueltaten der Nazis und die beiden beschließen, dass sie die unbehelligten Täter aufspüren und der Gerechtigkeit zuführen werden. Ihre "Naziiagd" führt sie von Köln bis Südamerika, verschlingt sämtliche emotionalen und finanziellen Ressourcen und wird schließlich zur Lebensaufgabe.
🔎
Die französische Graphic Novel "Beate und Serge Klarsfeld - Nazijäger" lässt ein Stück Zeitgeschichte lebendig werden und zollt einem mutigen Paar Tribut, ohne dessen unermüdlichen Einsatz zahlreihe vormals ranghohe Nationalsozialisten niemals einer Strafe zugeführt worden wären. Dass Beate Klarsfeld selbst schwanger noch nach Südamerika reiste, um einen besonders widerlichen Gesellen aufzuspüren, liest sich wirklich wie ein Actionroman. Was für ein wagemutiges Duo!!!
👥
Ich hatte erst durch Zeit Verbrechen von ihnen erfahren und bin absolut begeistert von der Graphic Novel. Eine ausgesprochen gewinnbringende Lektüre, die coole Panels mit einer wirklich krassen Story vermengt, dabei jedoch niemals reißerisch wirkt.
�
😳
Eine junge Frau hat sich mithilfe eines fremden Presseausweises in die Berliner Kongresshalle geschlichen, sich bis nach ganz vorn zum damaligen Bundeskanzler Kiesinger gedrängelt, ihm mehrere Ohrfeigen verpasst und lautstark geschimpft. Derlei Unverschämtheiten werden in der jungen Bundesrepublik gar nicht gern gesehen und man nimmt sie augenblicklich fest. Aber ihr Kampf ist noch nicht vorbei: die Frau heißt Beate Klarsfeld und sie und ihr Mann Serge sträuben sich gegen das Vergessen. Einen Bundeskanzler, der während des Dritten Reichs als ranghohes NSDAP-Mitglied gedient hat, wollen sie nicht akzeptieren und lösen einen öffentlichen Skandal aus.
💥
Acht Jahre zuvor war Beate nach Paris ausgewandert, wo sie zunächst als Au-pair arbeitete und ihren späteren Mann Serge kennengelernt hat. Serge ist französischer Jude, sein Vater wurde in Auschwitz ermordet. Erst durch seine Schilderungen erfährt Beate von den Gräueltaten der Nazis und die beiden beschließen, dass sie die unbehelligten Täter aufspüren und der Gerechtigkeit zuführen werden. Ihre "Naziiagd" führt sie von Köln bis Südamerika, verschlingt sämtliche emotionalen und finanziellen Ressourcen und wird schließlich zur Lebensaufgabe.
🔎
Die französische Graphic Novel "Beate und Serge Klarsfeld - Nazijäger" lässt ein Stück Zeitgeschichte lebendig werden und zollt einem mutigen Paar Tribut, ohne dessen unermüdlichen Einsatz zahlreihe vormals ranghohe Nationalsozialisten niemals einer Strafe zugeführt worden wären. Dass Beate Klarsfeld selbst schwanger noch nach Südamerika reiste, um einen besonders widerlichen Gesellen aufzuspüren, liest sich wirklich wie ein Actionroman. Was für ein wagemutiges Duo!!!
👥
Ich hatte erst durch Zeit Verbrechen von ihnen erfahren und bin absolut begeistert von der Graphic Novel. Eine ausgesprochen gewinnbringende Lektüre, die coole Panels mit einer wirklich krassen Story vermengt, dabei jedoch niemals reißerisch wirkt.
�
February 6, 2021
Gripping, page-turner of a story that I read in one sitting.
This book is non-fiction. I put no spoiler alerts in this review as these are historical facts that we should all have known before reading it and my remarks are more about history than the progression of "For Justice." The section about Papon (enclosed below) is told in the last few pages of the book and is not a central part of "For Justice," although it was to the Klarsfeld's history of Nazi hunting.
This is the story of Beate and Serge Klarsfeld who devoted every fiber of their being to bring Nazi's to justice from the 1960s through the late 1980s.
(Beate, the woman, should have her name come first in the title as the focus of the action is her story in this retelling.)
Significant research shows a worldwide dearth of education, understanding, or memory about the Holocaust (Jews use the word "Shoah"). While I was a teenager in the 1990s, living in a community with high Jewish representation in the United States and well read on the Shoah (certainly in relative terms) before reading this book, I had never heard of the French trial of Maurice Papon, which lasted from 1997-1998. I cannot understand how this could have escaped the attention of my community, at least in the sense that it was not mainstream news that people were talking about at the time.
Maurice Papon -
Papon, who was convicted of Crimes Against Humanity, "was Chief of Police in Paris from 1958-1967. He played a key role in the extremely violent repression of the protests against the war in Algeria on October 17, 1961 and February 8, 1962" (p. 189). He later went on to serve as the Minister of Budget from 1979-81. As with myriad others, his past as a Nazi official was well known.
After decades of dedication to bring Papon to trial, led by French Jews Michel Slitinsky and Michel Berges, Papon was convicted and sentenced to 10 years in prison, of which he served four, released to his home for ill health.
Chronologically, it is disturbing to think that Papon's conviction in 1998 happened four years after the Rwandan genocide in 1994. Has history no memory? No conscience?
US Role in Recruiting High-Ranking Nazis as American Spies After World War II -
I now newly know that the United States actively recruited Nazis - not 'Hitler's willing executioners'* - but, as this book reports, Klaus Barbie, a Nazi official of the highest rank, to serve as a CIA informant, fearing the spread of French Communism.
As an American Jew, an Israeli, and a human being, I find this unforgivable.
In 1987: "The United States officially apologized to France for having recruited this Nazi as an informant after the war [World War II]" (p. 186).
Apologized to France. Not the Jews, but a nation-state ruled by the Vichy government who Wikipedia calls, "the collaborationalist ruling regime... in Nazi-occupied France."**
Klaus Barbie, known as the "Butcher of Lyon," was sentenced to death in France "for his involvement in 4,000 murders. For sending 16,000 Jews to gas chambers in Auschwitz. For arresting and torturing 14,000 members of the Resistance, all under the collaborationist Vichy regime. Barbie was the head of the Gestapo in Lyon, France" (p. 119).
On Nazi Hunting (p. 186): Quote sourced from an interview with the Klarsfelds -
"From 1940-1945, the Nazis killed two-thirds of the Jews living in Europe [6 million Jews, 10 million people total], using the most horrible methods. Earth has never seen anything like it, by both its nature and its size.
That governments hunted war criminals is a myth. Despite what journalists, writers, and filmmakers would have you believe, Nazis in hiding, believed impotent, were of a relatively low priority.
We must face the facts. Only during the very short period of cooperation between the East and the West between 1945 and 1947 was was there a 'hunt' worth mentioning. The Cold War put an end to it. At that time, the nations-- especially America-- began pardoning and recruiting [RECRUITING] former Nazis as spies, if you can believe it."
Critique: Historical Documentation -
If I had a critique of this book, it would be this. The story itself is about the importance of documentation, and we see in the visuals many press clippings showing events of the day. But the source information for this story is not provided. To use this book as a historical record - is it a primary source from the Klarsfelds, for instance? One should know this without a doubt upon completing the book, but I'm not sure - the history needs to be cited meticulously.
* Quoting Daniel Goldhagen who has a book by this name
** Wikipedia: "Government of Vichy France"
This book is non-fiction. I put no spoiler alerts in this review as these are historical facts that we should all have known before reading it and my remarks are more about history than the progression of "For Justice." The section about Papon (enclosed below) is told in the last few pages of the book and is not a central part of "For Justice," although it was to the Klarsfeld's history of Nazi hunting.
This is the story of Beate and Serge Klarsfeld who devoted every fiber of their being to bring Nazi's to justice from the 1960s through the late 1980s.
(Beate, the woman, should have her name come first in the title as the focus of the action is her story in this retelling.)
Significant research shows a worldwide dearth of education, understanding, or memory about the Holocaust (Jews use the word "Shoah"). While I was a teenager in the 1990s, living in a community with high Jewish representation in the United States and well read on the Shoah (certainly in relative terms) before reading this book, I had never heard of the French trial of Maurice Papon, which lasted from 1997-1998. I cannot understand how this could have escaped the attention of my community, at least in the sense that it was not mainstream news that people were talking about at the time.
Maurice Papon -
Papon, who was convicted of Crimes Against Humanity, "was Chief of Police in Paris from 1958-1967. He played a key role in the extremely violent repression of the protests against the war in Algeria on October 17, 1961 and February 8, 1962" (p. 189). He later went on to serve as the Minister of Budget from 1979-81. As with myriad others, his past as a Nazi official was well known.
After decades of dedication to bring Papon to trial, led by French Jews Michel Slitinsky and Michel Berges, Papon was convicted and sentenced to 10 years in prison, of which he served four, released to his home for ill health.
Chronologically, it is disturbing to think that Papon's conviction in 1998 happened four years after the Rwandan genocide in 1994. Has history no memory? No conscience?
US Role in Recruiting High-Ranking Nazis as American Spies After World War II -
I now newly know that the United States actively recruited Nazis - not 'Hitler's willing executioners'* - but, as this book reports, Klaus Barbie, a Nazi official of the highest rank, to serve as a CIA informant, fearing the spread of French Communism.
As an American Jew, an Israeli, and a human being, I find this unforgivable.
In 1987: "The United States officially apologized to France for having recruited this Nazi as an informant after the war [World War II]" (p. 186).
Apologized to France. Not the Jews, but a nation-state ruled by the Vichy government who Wikipedia calls, "the collaborationalist ruling regime... in Nazi-occupied France."**
Klaus Barbie, known as the "Butcher of Lyon," was sentenced to death in France "for his involvement in 4,000 murders. For sending 16,000 Jews to gas chambers in Auschwitz. For arresting and torturing 14,000 members of the Resistance, all under the collaborationist Vichy regime. Barbie was the head of the Gestapo in Lyon, France" (p. 119).
On Nazi Hunting (p. 186): Quote sourced from an interview with the Klarsfelds -
"From 1940-1945, the Nazis killed two-thirds of the Jews living in Europe [6 million Jews, 10 million people total], using the most horrible methods. Earth has never seen anything like it, by both its nature and its size.
That governments hunted war criminals is a myth. Despite what journalists, writers, and filmmakers would have you believe, Nazis in hiding, believed impotent, were of a relatively low priority.
We must face the facts. Only during the very short period of cooperation between the East and the West between 1945 and 1947 was was there a 'hunt' worth mentioning. The Cold War put an end to it. At that time, the nations-- especially America-- began pardoning and recruiting [RECRUITING] former Nazis as spies, if you can believe it."
Critique: Historical Documentation -
If I had a critique of this book, it would be this. The story itself is about the importance of documentation, and we see in the visuals many press clippings showing events of the day. But the source information for this story is not provided. To use this book as a historical record - is it a primary source from the Klarsfelds, for instance? One should know this without a doubt upon completing the book, but I'm not sure - the history needs to be cited meticulously.
* Quoting Daniel Goldhagen who has a book by this name
** Wikipedia: "Government of Vichy France"
October 8, 2022
Juste après avoir lu , cette BD consacrée au couple Klarsfeld m’est tombée entre les mains. Ce couple est formé de Serge, qui est un français dont le père a été déporté et tué, et de Beate, qui est une jeune allemande dont les parents on fermé les yeux devant les crimes nazis et même voté pour eux.
Dès lors, ce couple n’a eu de cesse de pourchasser les criminels nazis qui coulaient des jours paisibles dans leurs pays ou qui, comme le docteur Mengele, avaient fui vers l’Amérique du Sud. La notion de couple revêt une importance capitale, ils se complètent parfaitement le côté sanguin de Beate est balancé par la sagesse de Serge, mais tous les deux partagent une détermination sans faille.
Et leur acharnement, leur compétence et l’énergie qu’ils mettront dans cette entreprise portera ses fruits puisqu’elle aboutira à des résultats qui changeront le cours de l’histoire. Je n’en dis pas plus pour laisser au lecteur l’occasion de le découvrir. Et ce ne fut pas une entreprise facile � il ne s’agissait pas de poster quelques belles phrases sur Twitter �, ils ont subi des pressions, des menaces, ont agi parfois en dehors de la loi et ont tout simplement risqué leur vie pour que justice soit faite. Il y a des personnes exceptionnelles et le couple Klarsfeld est de cette trempe.
Cette BD leur rend un hommage bien mérité. Elle contribue à populariser de bien belle manière cette histoire, ce combat. Elle est rythmée, suffisamment précise et son graphisme, qui fait la part belle aux années 70, tout en couleurs chaudes orange, brun entrecoupé de flashbacks en noir et blanc, incite à la lecture. Une BD à lire, à conseiller et à offrir sans modération � c’est d’ailleurs ce que j’ai fait.
Également publié sur mon .
Je suis désolée pour tout cela, Serge. Tu sais, chez moi à Berlin, on évitait de parler des actes du IIIe Reich. On vivait en se voilant la face et en se donnant bonne conscience. […] Ils n’étaient pas nazis, mais ils avaient voté pour Hitler comme les autres.
Dès lors, ce couple n’a eu de cesse de pourchasser les criminels nazis qui coulaient des jours paisibles dans leurs pays ou qui, comme le docteur Mengele, avaient fui vers l’Amérique du Sud. La notion de couple revêt une importance capitale, ils se complètent parfaitement le côté sanguin de Beate est balancé par la sagesse de Serge, mais tous les deux partagent une détermination sans faille.
Je crois que les couples qui vivent avec un idéal et dans un climat de danger ont plus de chance que les autres de voir leur amour croitre avec le temps. Ce n’est pas se laisser vivre, mais vivre ensemble.
Et leur acharnement, leur compétence et l’énergie qu’ils mettront dans cette entreprise portera ses fruits puisqu’elle aboutira à des résultats qui changeront le cours de l’histoire. Je n’en dis pas plus pour laisser au lecteur l’occasion de le découvrir. Et ce ne fut pas une entreprise facile � il ne s’agissait pas de poster quelques belles phrases sur Twitter �, ils ont subi des pressions, des menaces, ont agi parfois en dehors de la loi et ont tout simplement risqué leur vie pour que justice soit faite. Il y a des personnes exceptionnelles et le couple Klarsfeld est de cette trempe.
Cette BD leur rend un hommage bien mérité. Elle contribue à populariser de bien belle manière cette histoire, ce combat. Elle est rythmée, suffisamment précise et son graphisme, qui fait la part belle aux années 70, tout en couleurs chaudes orange, brun entrecoupé de flashbacks en noir et blanc, incite à la lecture. Une BD à lire, à conseiller et à offrir sans modération � c’est d’ailleurs ce que j’ai fait.
N’oubliez pas ! Celui qui combat peut perdre, mais celui qui ne combat pas a déjà perdu.
Également publié sur mon .
September 9, 2021
An interesting and gripping graphic novel, painted in beautiful colors/tones, about a topic which, in my opinion, deserves more attention. I hadn't heard of Beate and Serge Klarsfeld before � and while reading, I wondered why. Their story is incredible and definitely worth being turned into a graphic novel.
There is one thing, though (and this is why I am only giving 4 stars). I felt like at the beginning you needed a bit more background knowledge to understand everything properly. In general the many time shifts as well as the change of scenes (sometimes quite suddenly) didn't help. Maybe that's just me, though.
There were also a few spelling mistakes in the German version � e.g. once the name of one of the witnesses in Barbie's trial was spelled incorrectly, which is something that shouldn't happen.
I would recommend this book to.. well, basically anyone, but especially to any young(ish) people in Germany and France.
There is one thing, though (and this is why I am only giving 4 stars). I felt like at the beginning you needed a bit more background knowledge to understand everything properly. In general the many time shifts as well as the change of scenes (sometimes quite suddenly) didn't help. Maybe that's just me, though.
There were also a few spelling mistakes in the German version � e.g. once the name of one of the witnesses in Barbie's trial was spelled incorrectly, which is something that shouldn't happen.
I would recommend this book to.. well, basically anyone, but especially to any young(ish) people in Germany and France.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Read
May 26, 2022[Ich werde keine Sterne vergeben, da es sich um wahre Begebenheiten handelt.]
Das war meine erste Graphic Novel- normalerweise stelle ich mir das Geschriebene lieber selbst im Kopf vor, als dass es bereits (fertig) vor mir liegt. Doch hierbei muss ich Zugeständnisse machen: die Illustrationen trafen die Stimmung astrein und ließen die gezeichneten Figuren wie die echten Menschen wirken.
Das eindrucksvollste Bild befindet sich auf der Seite 162: es handelt sich um eine Aufnahme aus dem Gerichtssaal während der Anklage von Herbert Hagen, Kurt Lischka und Ernst Heinrichsohn. Um sie herum sind „Geister� von ermordeten Juden zu erkennen, die auf die gerechte Strafe hoffen.
Als reine Biografie (aufgrund vieler Namen) vermutlich zu unübersichtlich. Doch als Graphic Novel hingegen passend.
Das war meine erste Graphic Novel- normalerweise stelle ich mir das Geschriebene lieber selbst im Kopf vor, als dass es bereits (fertig) vor mir liegt. Doch hierbei muss ich Zugeständnisse machen: die Illustrationen trafen die Stimmung astrein und ließen die gezeichneten Figuren wie die echten Menschen wirken.
Das eindrucksvollste Bild befindet sich auf der Seite 162: es handelt sich um eine Aufnahme aus dem Gerichtssaal während der Anklage von Herbert Hagen, Kurt Lischka und Ernst Heinrichsohn. Um sie herum sind „Geister� von ermordeten Juden zu erkennen, die auf die gerechte Strafe hoffen.
Als reine Biografie (aufgrund vieler Namen) vermutlich zu unübersichtlich. Doch als Graphic Novel hingegen passend.
February 17, 2022
Die spannende Lebensgeschichte von Beate Klarsfeld und ihrem Mann Serge lese ich gerade in diesem Comic nach.
Serge Klarsfeld sagt im Vorwort: "Schüler wüssten Geschichte vielleicht mehr zu schätzen, wenn man sie mit Comics unterrichten würde."
In Zeiten, in denen "Die vollständige Maus" von Art Spiegelmann als Schullektüre verboten wurde, kann man gar nicht oft genug auf den Wert historischer Comics aufmerksam machen.
Ich habe schon einige gelesen und es werden sicher noch mehr.
Die Lebensgeschichte von Beate & Serge ist spannend und deckt einige Jahrzehnte deutscher, französischer aber auch südamerikanischer Geschichte ab.
Fünf Sterne! Absolut empfehlenswert! Unbedingt lesen!
Serge Klarsfeld sagt im Vorwort: "Schüler wüssten Geschichte vielleicht mehr zu schätzen, wenn man sie mit Comics unterrichten würde."
In Zeiten, in denen "Die vollständige Maus" von Art Spiegelmann als Schullektüre verboten wurde, kann man gar nicht oft genug auf den Wert historischer Comics aufmerksam machen.
Ich habe schon einige gelesen und es werden sicher noch mehr.
Die Lebensgeschichte von Beate & Serge ist spannend und deckt einige Jahrzehnte deutscher, französischer aber auch südamerikanischer Geschichte ab.
Fünf Sterne! Absolut empfehlenswert! Unbedingt lesen!
May 10, 2021
I didn't realize how difficult it was, nor how long it took to bring known Nazis to justice after WWII. And to find out that this young married couple took it as their life's mission to fight for justice on behalf of those tortured and killed was remarkable. I love that their story was brought into the graphic realm, and somehow the author and illustrator managed to bring a lot of research and tedious legal/political interactions to life in a way that kept me caring about what all their work was for.
November 11, 2021
I really liked that this focused on how Nazis were treated post-WWII, since that's something that doesn't concern us as much as it should - that's literally the theme here, given that the Klarsfelds had to fight so hard to have Nazis be prosecuted for their crimes. I wasn't as invested in the story, but I'm glad that I know more about this now.
March 22, 2021
I loved this graphic biography. Once again, we really see what this medium can do as we follow the bold and determined career of a married couple who also happen to be experts at tracking down former Nazis who shirked courtroom trial.
January 12, 2025
Excelente trabajo en múltiples sentidos. Interesantísimo e importante. No hay que olvidar que la ultraderecha, por encima de todo, y diga lo que diga para conseguir votos, está llena de personajes corruptos que solo quieren más dinero y poder, y siempre disponen de las redes para protegerse. Son redes amplias pero tienen puntos débiles. Para deshacerlas hay que trabajar con la verdad por delante. O eso es lo que aprendemos en esta maravillosa historia.
November 27, 2022
I did not know this story, so I enjoyed learning about the work of Serge and Beate Klarsfeld through a well-done graphic novel.
December 12, 2022
This comic book adaptation of the memoirs of a fervent Nazi-hunting couple serves as both a great introduction to their lives and an involving read in its own right. After World War II, Serge, who lost his father to the Holocaust in the French occupation, and Beate, a fiercely independent German, married and rallied furiously to bring hidden Nazis to justice.
I feared that this would be a stiff adaptation, but the story is immediately griping, with Pascal Bresson’s interleaved flashbacks (set off magnificently in different hues through Sylvain Dorange’s artwork) throwing you right into the eventful lives and fierce activism of this fascinating couple.
At times the dense layering of names can overwhelm, leading the reader to flip back to previous pages more than in other comics, but this would be hard to avoid when adopting real-life memoirs that would naturally be more complicated and less neat than fiction. These events have been simplified, I’m sure, but the book retains a nice balance.
Mark Waid’s adaptation of the dialogue is also top notch, as far as I can tell even improving the conversational flow from the original French.
The final scene jumps to the present day, and is a bit of an exposition dump; it’s the comic equivalent of the blocks of on-screen text at the end of documentaries. It’s not the smoothest conclusion, but it allows most of the preceding scenes to focus on the more gripping sections of their early life while giving some closure on later developments that don’t lend themselves as readily to dramatic staging.
In the end, I was impressed by this and would love to dive into the prose memoirs from which this is adapted.
I feared that this would be a stiff adaptation, but the story is immediately griping, with Pascal Bresson’s interleaved flashbacks (set off magnificently in different hues through Sylvain Dorange’s artwork) throwing you right into the eventful lives and fierce activism of this fascinating couple.
At times the dense layering of names can overwhelm, leading the reader to flip back to previous pages more than in other comics, but this would be hard to avoid when adopting real-life memoirs that would naturally be more complicated and less neat than fiction. These events have been simplified, I’m sure, but the book retains a nice balance.
Mark Waid’s adaptation of the dialogue is also top notch, as far as I can tell even improving the conversational flow from the original French.
The final scene jumps to the present day, and is a bit of an exposition dump; it’s the comic equivalent of the blocks of on-screen text at the end of documentaries. It’s not the smoothest conclusion, but it allows most of the preceding scenes to focus on the more gripping sections of their early life while giving some closure on later developments that don’t lend themselves as readily to dramatic staging.
In the end, I was impressed by this and would love to dive into the prose memoirs from which this is adapted.
May 23, 2022
A bit uneven at times but a worthy story.
April 28, 2022
Beate Klarsfeld ist die Frau, die 1968 den damaligen Bundeskanzler Kurt Georg Kiesinger ohrfeigte und ihn öffentlich einen Nazi nannte, "Auf einen Schlag berühmt", wie die Deutsche Welle schrieb. Doch es blieb nicht dabei - gemeinsam mit ihrem Mann Serge Klarsfeld macht Beate es sich zur Lebensaufgabe, Kriegsverbrecher vor Gericht zu bringen und damit den Kampf gegen das Vergessen aufzunehmen. Dieser Kampf war alles andere als ungefährlich - so erhielten die beiden etliche Drohungen und mussten mehrmals um ihr Leben und das ihrer zwei Kinder bangen. Denn die Nazis hatten auch lange nach dem Ende des zweiten Weltkrieges noch einflussreiche Verbündete, oder waren wie im Falle Kiesingers selbst machtvoll.
Doch auch die Klarsfelds verstanden es, sich ein weites Netz zu spannen und ihren Kampf für Gerechtigkeit gegen alle Widerstände fortzuführen.
Wie sie das getan haben, wird eindrucksvoll in diesem Comic geschildert.
Zugegebenermaßen habe ich mich etwas schwer getan mit den vielfältigen politischen Kontexten und Personen, die länderübergreifend genannt werden. Zum Glück hat mein Mann, der Historiker ist, den Comic mit mir zusammen gelesen und konnte mir Hintergrundwissen geben (oder es ergoogeln), wenn es im Buch mal wieder vorausgesetzt wurde.
Doch auch die Klarsfelds verstanden es, sich ein weites Netz zu spannen und ihren Kampf für Gerechtigkeit gegen alle Widerstände fortzuführen.
Wie sie das getan haben, wird eindrucksvoll in diesem Comic geschildert.
Zugegebenermaßen habe ich mich etwas schwer getan mit den vielfältigen politischen Kontexten und Personen, die länderübergreifend genannt werden. Zum Glück hat mein Mann, der Historiker ist, den Comic mit mir zusammen gelesen und konnte mir Hintergrundwissen geben (oder es ergoogeln), wenn es im Buch mal wieder vorausgesetzt wurde.
March 7, 2022
"Take pride in the principles of journal dear. Never allow your country to lie to you about its past..." P 196
I can't help but feel this summarizes much of my experience as I dig through WW2 truth via memoirs. We have been denied the truth and denied the stories of those who seek justice for the heinous crimes of prejudice.
While I often felt lost reading this, it is not because of poor depiction, but because I have been denied historically accurate accounts with dark truths and convictions. I have had to do many cross references because my Americanized history of WW2, post-Ww2, and the Holocaust is watered down and decontextualized. This book is a must read.
I can't help but feel this summarizes much of my experience as I dig through WW2 truth via memoirs. We have been denied the truth and denied the stories of those who seek justice for the heinous crimes of prejudice.
While I often felt lost reading this, it is not because of poor depiction, but because I have been denied historically accurate accounts with dark truths and convictions. I have had to do many cross references because my Americanized history of WW2, post-Ww2, and the Holocaust is watered down and decontextualized. This book is a must read.
October 29, 2021
J'ai pris une jolie claque avec cette BD. Je ne connaissais pas l'histoire de Beate et Serge Klarsfeld. Ce couple m'a impressionnée avec leur courage, leur pugnacité et leur force. J'ai découvert l'histoire de deux personnes ayant pour but de combattre l'oubli des déportés de la Shoah en pourchassant les nazis et bourreaux restés libres après la guerre. Quelle vie impressionnante...
May 30, 2021
Une belle BD sur le travail de mémoire et sur la vie des Klarsfeld, pleine d'humanisme et de volonté d'entretenir la mémoire de la Shoah.
May 16, 2022
Un roman graphique tellement intéressant et enrichissant !
April 2, 2025
The story about how a married couple, a Jewish French guy and German women, were trying to put pressure on Nazis post the war.
Frankly, the dialogue is horrible. It's some of the worst comic book dialogue I have ever seen and this alone brings it way down. Every single line is on the nose and forced to a degree where this true story appears as being completely made up. Especially Beate is horribly written. I assume it's to appeal to teen girls? Every single scene with her shows her as being this superwife, supermom, superwoman. Her face only shows one emotion: arrogance. That's it. No matter the context she looks like she just tricked her archenemy. Even when she is shown cleaning the house she is seen posing in the last panel. In a room by herself. The drawing is just not up to par here. It's weird as Serge is drawn properly and shows real emotions.
This fakeness is visible in the lines. All are on the nose exposition lines. There is not a single natural line here. They are only talking to the reader and never once does it feel like any of this happened. We feel like they are bragging to us. She definitely is. Even small things she did are presented as some action that changed history forever. Yet when it comes down to catching Barbie they get or find a photo and then some information about him being in South America. So that's it? That's their huge claim to fame? And how did they get the modern photo and the info about his address. The story jumps all over the place so I can't recall each step here. I just can't remember any of this. With so many names and events this is just presented as one more event with no story telling us how it happened.
It's a shame the wife comes off as such a giant narcissistic psychopath. Even at one point they are trying to kidnap an older man, former Nazi, and instead they beat him up as they are a big group yet can't knock him out. And instead of showing us what the police did she later has 1 line referring to spending a few weeks in jail for it. She is so unlikeable you root for her downfall. In her photos she looks normal though. And they never explain why she is this insane out of nowhere. The husband never comments on it. I assume the drawings and dialogue as just so bad she comes off this way. All these things make this a hard and not enjoyable read. I rather watch a documentary. Also, one could assume the English version is just horribly translated?
Frankly, the dialogue is horrible. It's some of the worst comic book dialogue I have ever seen and this alone brings it way down. Every single line is on the nose and forced to a degree where this true story appears as being completely made up. Especially Beate is horribly written. I assume it's to appeal to teen girls? Every single scene with her shows her as being this superwife, supermom, superwoman. Her face only shows one emotion: arrogance. That's it. No matter the context she looks like she just tricked her archenemy. Even when she is shown cleaning the house she is seen posing in the last panel. In a room by herself. The drawing is just not up to par here. It's weird as Serge is drawn properly and shows real emotions.
This fakeness is visible in the lines. All are on the nose exposition lines. There is not a single natural line here. They are only talking to the reader and never once does it feel like any of this happened. We feel like they are bragging to us. She definitely is. Even small things she did are presented as some action that changed history forever. Yet when it comes down to catching Barbie they get or find a photo and then some information about him being in South America. So that's it? That's their huge claim to fame? And how did they get the modern photo and the info about his address. The story jumps all over the place so I can't recall each step here. I just can't remember any of this. With so many names and events this is just presented as one more event with no story telling us how it happened.
It's a shame the wife comes off as such a giant narcissistic psychopath. Even at one point they are trying to kidnap an older man, former Nazi, and instead they beat him up as they are a big group yet can't knock him out. And instead of showing us what the police did she later has 1 line referring to spending a few weeks in jail for it. She is so unlikeable you root for her downfall. In her photos she looks normal though. And they never explain why she is this insane out of nowhere. The husband never comments on it. I assume the drawings and dialogue as just so bad she comes off this way. All these things make this a hard and not enjoyable read. I rather watch a documentary. Also, one could assume the English version is just horribly translated?
May 19, 2021
Peeling away layers of history like a semi-rotten onion. It's amazing to me how narrative truths about history come about. Recently there's this impression that Germany has reckoned with their past (in direct contrast to the U.S. and its slavery-Jim Crow-systemic racism issues), that Germany as a country recognized the horrors of the Holocaust and has put systems in place to make sure its not forgotten nor replicated. However, these achievements were not easy, nor were they automatic after the end of World War II.
This graphic novel narrative of Serge and Beate Klarsfeld highlights the extreme difficulties of bringing Nazi criminals to justice. Many evaded accountability for decades, others died before justice could be served. But this relentless couple, combined with a network of others who firmly believed that justice was necessary for these crimes, refused to just let it go, to let the past be the past. Their single-mindedness is both impressive and intimidating. They went so far as to attempt kidnapping some of the Nazis, but their most successful ventures included a lot of boring research in dusty archives (as depicted in the graphic novel), a lot of public pressure and working with the press to keep these crimes in the public eye, and a nearly fearless resolve to simply hound these criminals and their associates until more information came to light. While the flashy publicity stunts (like slapping the German chancellor -- a Nazi) garnered headlines and attention, it was the much less glamorous accumulation of information and witnesses that impressed me.
This book also does not shy away from reminding its readers that the U.S. was not terribly keen on justice for the perpetrators of the Holocaust.
Democracy and freedom require constant work, endless engagement, and a feeling that the government mostly serves justice. It's hard. And much like marriage, the hard work tends to be glossed over in favor of flashy taglines. The Klarsfelds clearly recognize the current moment as being ripe for the return of fascist authoritarians. While it is incumbent upon us all to get involved and engaged in politics, it doesn't all have to be violent or loud protesting. The work of self-governing comes in many forms, as is eloquently described here.
This graphic novel narrative of Serge and Beate Klarsfeld highlights the extreme difficulties of bringing Nazi criminals to justice. Many evaded accountability for decades, others died before justice could be served. But this relentless couple, combined with a network of others who firmly believed that justice was necessary for these crimes, refused to just let it go, to let the past be the past. Their single-mindedness is both impressive and intimidating. They went so far as to attempt kidnapping some of the Nazis, but their most successful ventures included a lot of boring research in dusty archives (as depicted in the graphic novel), a lot of public pressure and working with the press to keep these crimes in the public eye, and a nearly fearless resolve to simply hound these criminals and their associates until more information came to light. While the flashy publicity stunts (like slapping the German chancellor -- a Nazi) garnered headlines and attention, it was the much less glamorous accumulation of information and witnesses that impressed me.
This book also does not shy away from reminding its readers that the U.S. was not terribly keen on justice for the perpetrators of the Holocaust.
Democracy and freedom require constant work, endless engagement, and a feeling that the government mostly serves justice. It's hard. And much like marriage, the hard work tends to be glossed over in favor of flashy taglines. The Klarsfelds clearly recognize the current moment as being ripe for the return of fascist authoritarians. While it is incumbent upon us all to get involved and engaged in politics, it doesn't all have to be violent or loud protesting. The work of self-governing comes in many forms, as is eloquently described here.
September 3, 2022
"For Justice" is a comics memoir documenting the work of a French-German couple committed to ousting former Nazis from positions of power in Germany and around the globe.
It centers on Serge and Beate Klarsfeld. Serge spent the second World War dodging Nazis as a Jewish refugee in occupied France; his father died in a concentration camp. His wife, Beate, grew up in German, where her parents were "good Germans" of their era, spending the post-war period papering over Nazi atrocities.
This volume starts with Beate famously slapping Kurt Georg Kiesinger, a post-war German chancellor who had been a member of the Nazi party. From there, the Klarsfelds and their collaborators work to denounce and draw attention to former Nazis in public life. Their efforts involve editorial writing and organizing, but they step outside the law as well--they attempt to kidnap a former Nazi functionary and bring him back to France for trial, and they also fund efforts to assassinate former Nazi torturer Klaus Barbie.
Barbie is a focus of the book, as the Klarsfelds and his collaborators find him living under a pseudonym in Bolivia, training the military there in torture tactics. Thus begins a dangerous campaign to have Barbie extradited to France to stand trial for his crimes. Beate travels to Bolivia and Peru, exposing herself to arrest and "disappearance" to build the case against Barbie. Her family at home is faced with threats and worse, all while political negotiations about Barbie's crimes and status proceed glacially.
It's an important story, exciting, impassioned and sad, but it's also a bit hard to follow in this telling. "For Justice" jumps around a bit in time, and cause-and-effect become untethered in the process. I wasn't sure who exactly all the players were or why Beate had to expose herself to these dangers. (It also wasn't clear how the Klarsfelds stayed out of jail from some of their "extrajudicial" pursuits.)
The Klarsfelds come off and brave and committed, but "For Justice" also leans toward hagiography. They likely deserve it--their cause is just, and they show incredible commitment to it. But I wish this telling had been clarified with a little more distance.
It centers on Serge and Beate Klarsfeld. Serge spent the second World War dodging Nazis as a Jewish refugee in occupied France; his father died in a concentration camp. His wife, Beate, grew up in German, where her parents were "good Germans" of their era, spending the post-war period papering over Nazi atrocities.
This volume starts with Beate famously slapping Kurt Georg Kiesinger, a post-war German chancellor who had been a member of the Nazi party. From there, the Klarsfelds and their collaborators work to denounce and draw attention to former Nazis in public life. Their efforts involve editorial writing and organizing, but they step outside the law as well--they attempt to kidnap a former Nazi functionary and bring him back to France for trial, and they also fund efforts to assassinate former Nazi torturer Klaus Barbie.
Barbie is a focus of the book, as the Klarsfelds and his collaborators find him living under a pseudonym in Bolivia, training the military there in torture tactics. Thus begins a dangerous campaign to have Barbie extradited to France to stand trial for his crimes. Beate travels to Bolivia and Peru, exposing herself to arrest and "disappearance" to build the case against Barbie. Her family at home is faced with threats and worse, all while political negotiations about Barbie's crimes and status proceed glacially.
It's an important story, exciting, impassioned and sad, but it's also a bit hard to follow in this telling. "For Justice" jumps around a bit in time, and cause-and-effect become untethered in the process. I wasn't sure who exactly all the players were or why Beate had to expose herself to these dangers. (It also wasn't clear how the Klarsfelds stayed out of jail from some of their "extrajudicial" pursuits.)
The Klarsfelds come off and brave and committed, but "For Justice" also leans toward hagiography. They likely deserve it--their cause is just, and they show incredible commitment to it. But I wish this telling had been clarified with a little more distance.
March 15, 2021
Sometimes you stumble upon a book, and after reading it, you ask yourself, "How did I not know about this?!" Not necessarily the book - but the topic.
Throughout the 60's, 70's, and 80's, Serge and Beate Klarsfeld sought justice for tens of thousands of Jewish men, women, and children who suffered and/or were murdered at the hands of the Nazis. Serge had lost his father at Auschwitz. He (French) and Beate (German) married in 1963, and he helped open her eyes to the atrocities of the Holocaust. The couple relentlessly sought out and requested extradition and/or trials for those who had gleefully signed death orders, then lived freely post-war despite some having death in absentia warrants already against them. The Klarsfeld's often risked their own lives and the lives of other family members by refusing to back down even after Beate was kidnapped, their car exploded, and they were arrested. Honestly, this reads like an action movie - only better. They did succeed in bringing several former Nazi torturers to justice, and they continue their work by honoring and bringing to light the lives and memories of individuals lost in the Holocaust.
Definitely want to learn more about this daring couple and their fight for justice.
Throughout the 60's, 70's, and 80's, Serge and Beate Klarsfeld sought justice for tens of thousands of Jewish men, women, and children who suffered and/or were murdered at the hands of the Nazis. Serge had lost his father at Auschwitz. He (French) and Beate (German) married in 1963, and he helped open her eyes to the atrocities of the Holocaust. The couple relentlessly sought out and requested extradition and/or trials for those who had gleefully signed death orders, then lived freely post-war despite some having death in absentia warrants already against them. The Klarsfeld's often risked their own lives and the lives of other family members by refusing to back down even after Beate was kidnapped, their car exploded, and they were arrested. Honestly, this reads like an action movie - only better. They did succeed in bringing several former Nazi torturers to justice, and they continue their work by honoring and bringing to light the lives and memories of individuals lost in the Holocaust.
Definitely want to learn more about this daring couple and their fight for justice.
February 16, 2021
For Justice: The Serge and Beate Klarsfeld story is a graphic novel adaptation of the memoirs of the Klarsfelds, looking at the years of work they did hunting nazis, as well as revealing personal aspects of their lives. The story of the Klarsfelds is a fascinating one and it adapts well to the comics format. I felt like I really got to be a part of the history they made and to understand their lives. The art was solid, the writing was solid, and the book told a completely engrossing story. I did find that it jumped around in the timeline in ways I didn't love, but truly a minor complaint in the grand scheme of things. I felt like this book (along with other books on nazis and fascism I have read recently) really helped me unpack my incorrect ideas about what happened to the nazis after WWII (they did not disappear as I've often been led to believe). It's overall a great book, and I definitely recommend it.
October 7, 2021
This biography of Serge and Beate Klarsfeld, a husband-and-wife team of Nazi hunters who brought some of the worst criminals of WWII to justice, is an important one worthy of being told. And in that, For Justice succeeds - those who don’t know of Serge and Beate should check this out, or any other book on them, to understand that when war ends, the defeated side doesn’t just go away. It tries to fit in and often, avoid justice. The inertia to bring Nazi war criminals to justice seems impossible, but this story shows just how much of an uphill battle it was to bring people like Klaus Barbie to justice. So for those things, this book matters. As a graphic novel, though, it’s not a particularly engrossing read. It often reverts to pages of talking heads and doesn’t say anything through its format that could not have been told better in straight prose. Still, despite its shortcomings, we are far better off having For Justice on the shelves than to not have it at all.
March 6, 2024
"Take pride in the principles of journal dear. Never allow your country to lie to you about its past..." P 196
I can't help but feel this summarizes much of my experience as I dig through WW2 truth via memoirs. We have been denied the truth and denied the stories of those who seek justice for the heinous crimes of prejudice.
While I often felt lost reading this, it is not because of poor depiction, but because I have been denied historically accurate accounts with dark truths and convictions. I have had to do many cross references because my Americanized history of WW2, post-Ww2, and the Holocaust is watered down and decontextualized. This book is a must read.
I can't help but feel this summarizes much of my experience as I dig through WW2 truth via memoirs. We have been denied the truth and denied the stories of those who seek justice for the heinous crimes of prejudice.
While I often felt lost reading this, it is not because of poor depiction, but because I have been denied historically accurate accounts with dark truths and convictions. I have had to do many cross references because my Americanized history of WW2, post-Ww2, and the Holocaust is watered down and decontextualized. This book is a must read.
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