Israel and the delusions of Germany’s ‘memory culture’

This book explores how West Germany under Konrad Adenauer addressed its Nazi legacy, particularly through the passage of amnesty laws and the reintegration of former Nazi officials into civil service. It provides insight into the political and social dynamics of post-war Germany as it grappled with its recent past.

Günter Grass's "Crab Walk" is a complex and multifaceted novel that uses the metaphor of a crab's sideways movement to represent Germany's struggle to come to terms with its past. The novel explores themes of guilt, responsibility, and the challenges of collective memory. Through its intricate narrative structure and symbolic imagery, "Crab Walk" delves into the psychological and societal ramifications of Germany's history. The novel's characters grapple with the weight of the past, highlighting the complexities of individual and national identity. Grass's work is a powerful reflection on the enduring legacy of historical trauma and the difficulties of achieving true reconciliation.

This book examines the complex dynamics of Holocaust memory in Germany, particularly how Muslim Germans are positioned within these narratives. It critiques the phenomenon of 'subcontracting' guilt to Muslim immigrants, highlighting the tensions and paradoxes this creates within German national identity. The work is based on extensive ethnographic research and offers insights into the role of marginalized communities in national reconciliation.

This first volume of Heinrich August Winkler's magisterial history of modern Germany explores the country's complex journey from the late 18th century to the rise of the Third Reich. It delves into the medieval myth of the 'Reich', its renaissance in the 20th century, and the political and social factors that shaped Germany's tumultuous history. The book offers a synthesis of high politics and personal vignettes, providing insights into Germany's cultural identity and its resistance to Western political trajectories.