Ever since the collapse of the Third Reich in 1945, anxieties have persisted about unrepentant Nazis returning to power and establishing a Fourth Reich. Gavriel D. Rosenfeld explores the nightmare of a future that never happened and what it tells us about postwar Western political, intellectual, and cultural life.
The book explores the normalization of the Nazi past in Western memory, particularly since the beginning of the 21st century. It examines the evolving perceptions and representations of this historical period, delving into the implications for contemporary society and collective memory. Through a critical analysis, it highlights how narratives surrounding the Nazi era have been reshaped and integrated into cultural discourse, prompting reflections on history, identity, and moral responsibility.
This comprehensive study explores the significant impact of Jewish architects since 1945, highlighting how their designs reflect and respond to the legacy of the Holocaust. It delves into the cultural and historical contexts that shaped their careers, examining the interplay between architecture and memory. By focusing on individual architects and their contributions, the book uncovers the profound ways in which their Jewish identity informs their work and the broader architectural landscape.
This 2005 study explores the representation of alternate histories of Nazism in Western popular culture, examining how these narratives shape perceptions of history and influence cultural discourse. The book delves into various media, analyzing how fictional portrayals challenge or reinforce societal views on totalitarianism, morality, and the consequences of historical events. Through this lens, it highlights the complexities and implications of reimagining pivotal moments in history, offering a critical perspective on the interplay between history and imagination.
This volume breaks new ground in understanding how memorials, buildings, and spaces have played a role in Germany's struggle with the legacy of Nazism. Contributors challenge prevailing views on "coming to terms with the Nazi Past" (Vergangenheitsbewältigung) at various urban and architectural sites. By examining both western and eastern German cities—ranging from prominent metropolises like Hamburg to regional centers like Dresden and industrial cities like Wolfsburg, as well as rural towns like Quedlinburg—the case studies offer a nuanced perspective on how the confrontation with the Nazi past has shaped the German urban landscape since World War II. Through multidisciplinary discussions that intersect with historical, art historical, anthropological, and geographical themes, this collection enhances our understanding of how the memory of National Socialism has influenced postwar German culture and society. Scholars and students with interests in National Socialism, modern Germany, memory studies, urban studies, geography, industrial design, and art and architectural history will find this volume compelling. It also appeals to general audiences familiar with the Nazi past and those interested in historic preservation, memorials, and the dynamics of commemoration.
A fascinating 2005 study of the place of alternate histories of Nazism within Western popular culture.
"In the ever-growing scholarship on German memory after World War II, there is nothing comparable to Rosenfeld's impressively researched account of one city's attempt to 'master' the past through reconstruction." --Rudy Koshar, author of "Germany's Transient Pasts" "In his fascinating history of Munich's postwar architectural reconstruction and social de-Nazification, Gavriel Rosenfeld shows how closely linked the clearing of both rubble and rabble from the German landscape were, and how closely Germany's postwar architectural landscape came to resemble its new democratic mindset." --James E. Young, author of "The Texture of Memory"