Susan Neiman

I think this book is important in contextualizing how the US could start coming to terms with our history of slavery (and, to a lesser extent, genocide) by using Germany as an example. (Not saying that the US shouldn't come to terms with our genocidal history, just that it wasn't covered much in this book other than a few brief recognitions.)

As a reader from the US, I felt like I lacked the appropriate education and understanding to truly get this book. I knew about East and West Germany due to my grade school's outdated maps and textbooks (I was in elementary school in the late 80's and early 90's), but we certainly didn't discuss any details that I can still remember 30+ years later. I learned about WWII and Nazis and the Holocaust, but not to the extent to which the author refers to it in this book. I lack the understanding that this book requires for a nuanced read.

I consider myself reasonably well-educated and more than well-read, and I struggled with connecting to this book on a deep level. The author will casually name-drop philosophers, historians, politicians, authors, and others, and not provide much background, assuming that the reader can fill in the gaps. Frequently that left me with a sense of not really getting to the details what was happening, although I followed the broad narrative.

My understanding of the nuances aside, I think the book was (on the whole, I cannot attest to the particulars) well argued and I don't disagree with the main thesis of the book: that the US can use Germany as a guide to understanding our past, and using that to move forward with anti-racism.

The only other reason I don't think this book is worthy of more stars is because it is just too damn long. It just goes on. And on. And on. Length never usually stops me from approaching, reading, or enjoying a book. But in this case I thought the book really dragged. Maybe the author felt she really had to lay it on thick enough to convince everyone... but I have a feeling the people who believe that confederate statues should remain standing in public spaces aren't exactly lining up to read this book.… (mais)