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Duncanpup

(15,651 posts) Sun Jun 29, 2025, 04:45 AM Jun 2025

Just finished Ordinary men. 1942 Poland and we see similarities of this again in 2025 America.

https://shop.ushmm.org/products/ordinary-men-reserve-police-battalion-101-and-the-final-solution

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Just finished Ordinary men. 1942 Poland and we see similarities of this again in 2025 America. (Original Post) Duncanpup Jun 2025 OP

I know I need to read this... Mike 03 Jun 2025 #1

I can understand the underlying theme. dhol82 Jun 2025 #2

Mike 03

(18,690 posts)

1. I know I need to read this...

Reply to Duncanpup (Original post)

Sun Jun 29, 2025, 04:56 AM

Jun 2025

It's considered a critical work. I've read Chris Browning's other books, and also Goldhagen's book "Hitler's Willing Executioners" which sparked the huge debate among historians that compared Goldhagen's book unfavorably to Browning's.

I spent a few months reading books and reports about the Rwanda genocide too, just trying to grasp how people who'd lived side by side peacefully for so many years could degenerate into one side butchering their neighbors. No matter how many books I read about the Holocaust or Rwanda (or the break up of Yugoslavia) I find it very hard to really grasp how this is possible. I don't think any book will ever answer it for me.

dhol82

(9,659 posts)

2. I can understand the underlying theme.

Reply to Mike 03 (Reply #1)

Sun Jun 29, 2025, 03:02 PM

Jun 2025

Simply, people want to belong.
Look at school or work place bullies. Many will allow the torture just to stay in the group. Many who object are vilified.
Sad but it’s human. Not sure how to get around it.

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