THE SECOND GUILT, OR ON THE BURDEN OF BEING GERMAN - RALPH GIORDANO

Ralph Giordano's book is an insightful analysis of post-war Germany and its reckoning with the Nazi past. The author, himself a victim of persecution due to his Jewish origin, observes the behavior of Germans towards their own history from a unique perspective. It is a read that provokes reflection on collective responsibility and historical memory.

• In-depth analysis of Germany's reckoning with Nazism
• Perspective of a victim of persecution
• Critical view of post-war German political culture
• References to crimes committed against Poles
• Sparked a lively discussion in Germany
• Important point of reference in debates about German memory

Ralph Giordano, born in Hamburg, experienced the atrocities of Nazism firsthand. After the war, he decided to remain in Germany, becoming an observer of social and political processes. In his book, using the concept of the "second guilt", he describes the failure of Germans to come to terms with the Nazi past. He argues that the reintegration of Nazi criminals proved more important than the pursuit of justice and redress.

Giordano does not limit himself to the issue of the Holocaust, but also analyzes other German crimes, including those committed against Poles. He emphasizes that the political culture of the Federal Republic of Germany after 1945 was based on a "great peace with the perpetrators" and the lack of confession of collective guilt. At the same time, the settlements in the German Democratic Republic turned out to be superficial and anti-fascism was treated instrumentally.

The book "The Second Guilt", published in 1987, sparked a heated debate in Germany. To this day, it remains an important point of reference in discussions about German memory and the lack of settlement of Nazi crimes. Ralph Giordano (1923-2014) was a respected journalist, publicist, television documentary filmmaker and writer, author of, among others, the acclaimed novel "Die Bertinis".

The Pilecki Institute, the publisher of this edition, cares for the preservation of memory of the victims of totalitarianism and promotes knowledge about the history of the 20th century. By choosing this book, you are reaching for a valuable read that will help you understand complex historical and social processes. The book has 528 pages and a format of 142x228 mm.