Jacques Presser was a Dutch historian and writer whose work primarily focused on the history of the persecution of Jews in the Netherlands during World War II. His magnum opus is a monumental study on the fate of Dutch Jews, which has become the definitive reference work on the subject. Beyond his historical contributions, Presser also authored works of literature, with his writings inspired by wartime experiences achieving international bestseller status and literary awards. His prose is distinguished by its profound engagement with human tragedy and historical significance.
Beginning in 1940, 110,000 Jews were deported from the Netherlands to concentration camps. Of those, fewer than 6000 returned. 'Ashes in the Wind' is a monumental history of the Jewish victims of the Holocaust, and a detailed and moving description of how the Nazi party first discriminated against Jews.
Kniha noc Girondistů, je založená na osobní válkou získaných zkušeností, za kterou získal literární ocenění a kniha se stala mezinárodním bestsellerem. Děj se nachází v nizozemském tranzitním táboře Westerbork , hlavní postava této knihy je asimilovaný židovský učitel který spolupracuje s nacisty. Jeho úkolem bylo vybrat Židy k přepravě do Osvětimi , později si uvědomí, že jako Žid, byl také vázán sdílet osud těch které poslal pryč.