The Holocaust Industry: Reflections on the Exploitation of Jewish Suffering

`Bout half way thru the book now, and it's extremely well put together and with well documented sources. It was nice to see that Mr. Finkelstein hit home that there's been many, Holocausts / ethnic cleansings / genocides (though he doesn't specifically name them all, here's just a few; 90 million-ish Native American exterminated by Christians, Catholics, Jews, atheists, etc., etc; The Bolshevik Trotsky a.k.a. Lev Bronshtein committed genocide in about 1917-1921 murdering about 4 million gentiles and Christians; yet, the Bolsheviks once again committed genocide against the gentiles and Christians murdering 7-10 million Ukrainians in 1932-1933. The Bolsheviks were brutely cruel. In fact, since the Bolsheviks murder's wall came down, many things are now coming to life. Roughly 65-120 million gentiles and Christians were murdered from 1917 to 1989 by the Communists. Now that's genocide. It's a shame the Native Americans and Christians do not have a museum in Washington D.C. to remember their 10's of millions who died by genocide. (Wouldn't it be nice if the people of the jewish faith honored the genocide of the Native Americans by building a museum in the middle of Tel Aviv?) Mr. Finkelstein shows us time and time and time again what happens when a person brings up documentation that contradicts the propaganda that's been thrust upon us for years. Any group of people that refuses to have an honest debate seems to immediately begin character assassinating. The character assassination of someone who asks questions is an immediate red flag of someone hiding something. During the last few decades we have discovered that Hitler DID NOT make soap, lamp shades, etc, etc. out of people of the jewish faith. (I was told for decades that Hitler did do these nasty things. Apparently a group of people had lied to me for decades.) We have also discovered that Hitler DID NOT have any homicidal gas chambers within the borders of Germany. (I was told for decades that Hitler did have homicidal gas chambers inside Germany. Again, apparently a group of people had lied to me for decades.) In fact, the dead emaciated corpses I've seen in pictures and film were thoroughly examined by U.S. Military medical professionals when the camps were liberated, and those medical experts clearly stated that all the dead bodies found in German camps were from typhus, starvation, and other diseases. The fine outstanding International Red Cross (who were physically present doing their humanitarian deeds at the concentration camps during the war) witnessed about 30,000 inmates die in one month from typhus and starvation in the last 90 or so days of the war - and the Red Cross begged the allies to stop the bombing of railways and continue to let food and meds thru. The allies refused. The Red Cross' well documented numbers of people of the jewish faith who died in all of Hitler's camps differ greatly from what I was told for decades as a child. These documents were hidden in the hands of communists, and only released after their wall came down and files were made open to more eyes. In fact, when the Communists murder's wall did come down, the Jewish historians at Auschwitz immediately changed the number of Jewish deaths by millions. Apparently the Bolshivks who liberated the Polish camps kept records secret from us; and the number of dead inmates that I've been told for decades was a complete fabrication. So thank you Mr. Finkelstein for this insightful book. Thank you for letting me know that certain people pressured our Congress to take my property (tax $) and build a museum in D.C. for an event that never happened on our soil. How selfish can a group of people be? You've opened by eyes and exposed many, many more lies that have thrust upon the American people. Thank you sir.

For some reason I read parts of this book in the voice of a southern baptist preacher. Some of the writing seems to carry the anger and doom I remember feeling coming from those preachers. I have read about 3/4 of it so far and have enjoyed it. I intentionally looked for a book on this subject because of beliefs I had formed on my own and it is strange to see that according to this book my instinct was correct on a lot of it. It covers a lot I had never thought of also.

A lot of informations.

Where does the money go? Norman G. Finkelstein wants his readers to consider the financial interests behind those who keep the Nazi Holocaust alive in current memory, and the ways in which the Holocaust has been used to justify Israeli foreign policy. From Holocaust museums set up in every major U.S city, to the $1.25 billion dollar settlement that the WJC reached with Swiss bankers in 1998, Finkelstein argues that American Jewish elites have profited more from Holocaust memorial efforts than Holocaust survivors themselves, and have used the Holocaust as a means by which to solidify their own power and wealth. It is worth noting that Finkelstein does not seek to diminish the suffering of those who lived and died in Nazi concentration and work camps. Finkelstein acknowledges the travesty of the Holocaust itself, and openly criticizes those who have denied it. More importantly, Finkelstein seems intent on highlighting that gypsies, homosexuals, and handicapped individuals also died in the Holocaust, and have been largely forgotten from collective historical works. Finkelstein even goes so far as to note the pain and heartbreak of his own parents who labored in Auschwitz and Majdanek. Yes, Finkelstein is keenly aware of the fact that a great deal of people suffered in the Holocaust, and he channels the pain of these individuals into his book, where he spends the most part of it raging against an industry who has commodified and politicized their sufferings. Perhaps most insulting to Finkelstein, is that the same industry that has invested millions and millions of dollars in museums to educate the American public on the atrocities of the Holocaust has ultimately spent so little on actual Holocaust survivors. Full of less-than-flattering references to Eli Weisel and Edgar Bronfman, "The Holocaust Industry" raises important questions and ideas concerning how we view and examine the Holocaust. A tad preachy and hostile at times, Finkelstein clearly feels passionate about the subject, and holds a serious grudge against those who he feels have profited and exploited the Holocaust.

Great book

A great book from an honest man.

This book is great. The author had tremendous courage to write such a unique book, and he is clearly an honest and sincere fellow to examine such things so close to home (being the son of holocaust survivors). Finkelstein blows the lid off the whole Holocaust deal. Its not denying it at all, its just that 5-6 million Jews who died in concentration camps along with gypsies, communists, gays, and invalids does not justify Israel and Jewish organizations to get away with murder (literally) in the occupied lands of Israel nor to extort money from all kinds of European organizations falsely. While we all feel bad for those who perished, we might also feel bad for the 55 million people who died in WWII, or the millions who died in Cambodia, Vietnam, or Africa. The idea I came to realize from this book was that in a way it was a sin against those Jews who died, to use their memory to pander for money and deflect attention away from war crimes on a daily basis in Israel. I was surprised to learn that much of the money gotten for holocaust victims and survivors instead is diverted to Israel and Jewish groups rather than the victims and their families. And while Jews are successfully suing people for artwork or lost bank accounts from the 1930's and 1940's, no Palestinian is allowed to sue over land lost in the 1940's to the present day. So I think everyone should read this, to see the Holocaust in the proper perspective as a terrible human tragedy, but not something to be tarnished by misuse of its memory.

A+

Great book to know about Palestine problem.

Norman Finkelstein’s The Holocaust Industry: Reflections on the Exploitation of Jewish Suffering is a deeply moving and intellectually courageous work that challenges readers to critically reflect on how historical tragedies are remembered and utilized in contemporary discourse. With a rare combination of personal conviction and rigorous scholarship, Finkelstein navigates a deeply sensitive topic with both honesty and moral integrity. One of the most compelling aspects of this book is the author’s unwavering commitment to historical truth. As the son of Holocaust survivors, Finkelstein approaches his subject matter with profound personal investment, making his critiques all the more poignant. Rather than diminishing the significance of the Holocaust, he argues passionately for its preservation as a solemn historical event rather than a tool for political or financial gain. His work stands as a powerful plea to honor the memory of those who suffered, not through commodification, but through genuine remembrance and moral lessons. What sets The Holocaust Industry apart is its fearless examination of uncomfortable realities. Finkelstein confronts the ways in which suffering has, at times, been manipulated for institutional benefit—raising essential questions about justice, restitution, and the ethics of memory. His research is meticulous, his arguments are compelling, and his writing is infused with both passion and clarity. Though the book has sparked controversy, its fundamental purpose is not to deny or diminish, but rather to ensure that history is honored with sincerity and integrity. Finkelstein’s voice is one of both deep reverence for the past and a heartfelt commitment to truth. His work serves as an important reminder that remembrance should never be distorted for power or profit, but rather upheld with dignity and respect. For those willing to engage with difficult yet necessary conversations, The Holocaust Industry is a vital and thought-provoking read. It is a testament to the courage of intellectual honesty and the importance of preserving historical truth with the reverence it deserves.

Excellent read for those interested in this complicated subject. Dr Norman Finkelstein is a Jewish man that tells the absolute truth, and that usually upsets most other Jewish people. None more so than Alan Dershowitz the American lawyer, who has tried for years to shut down Norman Finkelstein. This book is a real eye opener - documenting the downright underhanded criminal payments/agreements in and outside Israel over the years regarding the Holocaust. The book is more relevant now than ever considering the recent events in the middle East, and how a gangster and war criminal has gained control over the country YET AGAIN. If you think all Israeli/Jewish people are the same - read this book ! It will soon get that idea right out of your head. David Baddiel would do good to read this book before lecturing anyone. Buy this before it's banned ! (on Amazon)

Este outor e fenomenal. O livro e fantástico.

Bought this as a Christmas gift for my parents but I find myself reading it too. Norm Finklestein is truly one of the most emotionally intelligent and brave people. This book has citations and references, actual facts to support the claims made. It allows insight to what is truly going on and I wish that this book was more popular! This book is relevant now more than ever.