Ronald J. Berger is professor of sociology at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. His work has appeared in Contexts, Perspectives on Social Problems, Qualitative Inquiry, Social Science Quarterly, and Sociological Quarterly. He is the author of numerous books, including Surviving the Holocaust: A Life Course Perspective and White-Collar Crime: The Abuse of Corporate and Government Power.
-Berger's methodology introduces a new and discerning approach to a
very complex field of study. For readers new to the field, this
book provides some crucial background material in Holocaust
Studies; for those already familiar with the field, Berger's book
provides another way of grappling with the difficult subject
matter. His book is well organized, with an excellent bibliography
and end-notes replete with additional critical and supplementary
information.- --Marilyn F. Nefsky, Sociology of Religion -Berger
skillfully guides the reader through the -sociological frameworks-
of Marx, Weber, and Durkheim, and to Joel Best and his fellow
constructivists, whose work form the groundwork of his sociological
understanding of the Holocaust.- --Noel Iverson, Canadian Review of
Sociology & Anthropology -The extraordinary violence that
characterizes the twentieth century has earned the period the
title, -The Century of Genocide.- The Holocaust is the most
profound tragedy of this century. Philosophers, historians,
psychologists, and theologians still grapple with understanding its
causes, processes, and consequences. Yet, sociologists have been
slow to take on this challenge. In Fathoming the Holocaust, Ronald
Berger attempts to fill this gap by providing a sociological lens
to explain the Final Solution.- --Lynn Rapaport, Contemporary
Sociology -Ronald J. Berger brings a sociological perspective to
keys issues in Holocaust history in a new and insightful manner. He
applies -a general theory of social problems construction- to his
study of the Final Solution, from its origins to the emergence of
conflicting postwar collective memories. In so doing, he broadens
our understanding of this dark chapter of modern history . . .
creat[ing] a cogent and well-written case for the importance of
sociological reflection on the Holocaust.- --Holocaust and Genocide
Studies -Fathoming the Holocaust is an engaging book that reveals
the power and value of the sociological imagination, offering
readers a distinctive understanding of how history, society, and
biography intersect in the construction and remembrance of the
Holocaust.... This cogent and panoramic book not only makes an
important contribution to the literature on the Holocaust, but also
to the literatures on social problems, collective memory, genocide,
ethnicity, altruism, historical sociology, and ... the sociology of
religion.... In addition to being thoughtful and well written, this
book illustrates how and why sociology, at its best, is a craft
that promotes a distinctive and empowering form of imagination.-
--Teaching Sociology -This excellent book addresses the social
construction of two problems: the problem of -the Jew- in Nazi
Germany, and the problem of how the Holocaust has been constructed
and used since .. . post-1945.... I highly recommend this book to
anyone wishing to teach not only about the Holocaust, but also
about its ideological aftermath.... Fathoming the Holocaust is also
an important text for those who wish to research how other social
-problems- that result in human rights abuses, crimes against
humanity, or genocide are constructed, as well as how
after-the-fact victim claims are made and manipulated.- --Canadian
Journal of Sociology Online
"Berger's methodology introduces a new and discerning approach to a
very complex field of study. For readers new to the field, this
book provides some crucial background material in Holocaust
Studies; for those already familiar with the field, Berger's book
provides another way of grappling with the difficult subject
matter. His book is well organized, with an excellent bibliography
and end-notes replete with additional critical and supplementary
information." --Marilyn F. Nefsky, Sociology of Religion "Berger
skillfully guides the reader through the "sociological frameworks"
of Marx, Weber, and Durkheim, and to Joel Best and his fellow
constructivists, whose work form the groundwork of his sociological
understanding of the Holocaust." --Noel Iverson, Canadian Review of
Sociology & Anthropology "The extraordinary violence that
characterizes the twentieth century has earned the period the
title, "The Century of Genocide." The Holocaust is the most
profound tragedy of this century. Philosophers, historians,
psychologists, and theologians still grapple with understanding its
causes, processes, and consequences. Yet, sociologists have been
slow to take on this challenge. In Fathoming the Holocaust, Ronald
Berger attempts to fill this gap by providing a sociological lens
to explain the Final Solution." --Lynn Rapaport, Contemporary
Sociology "Ronald J. Berger brings a sociological perspective to
keys issues in Holocaust history in a new and insightful manner. He
applies "a general theory of social problems construction" to his
study of the Final Solution, from its origins to the emergence of
conflicting postwar collective memories. In so doing, he broadens
our understanding of this dark chapter of modern history . . .
creat[ing] a cogent and well-written case for the importance of
sociological reflection on the Holocaust." --Holocaust and Genocide
Studies "Fathoming the Holocaust is an engaging book that reveals
the power and value of the sociological imagination, offering
readers a distinctive understanding of how history, society, and
biography intersect in the construction and remembrance of the
Holocaust.... This cogent and panoramic book not only makes an
important contribution to the literature on the Holocaust, but also
to the literatures on social problems, collective memory, genocide,
ethnicity, altruism, historical sociology, and ... the sociology of
religion.... In addition to being thoughtful and well written, this
book illustrates how and why sociology, at its best, is a craft
that promotes a distinctive and empowering form of imagination."
--Teaching Sociology "This excellent book addresses the social
construction of two problems: the problem of "the Jew" in Nazi
Germany, and the problem of how the Holocaust has been constructed
and used since .. . post-1945.... I highly recommend this book to
anyone wishing to teach not only about the Holocaust, but also
about its ideological aftermath.... Fathoming the Holocaust is also
an important text for those who wish to research how other social
"problems" that result in human rights abuses, crimes against
humanity, or genocide are constructed, as well as how
after-the-fact victim claims are made and manipulated." --Canadian
Journal of Sociology Online
"Berger's methodology introduces a new and discerning approach to a
very complex field of study. For readers new to the field, this
book provides some crucial background material in Holocaust
Studies; for those already familiar with the field, Berger's book
provides another way of grappling with the difficult subject
matter. His book is well organized, with an excellent bibliography
and end-notes replete with additional critical and supplementary
information." --Marilyn F. Nefsky, Sociology of Religion "Berger
skillfully guides the reader through the "sociological frameworks"
of Marx, Weber, and Durkheim, and to Joel Best and his fellow
constructivists, whose work form the groundwork of his sociological
understanding of the Holocaust." --Noel Iverson, Canadian Review of
Sociology & Anthropology "The extraordinary violence that
characterizes the twentieth century has earned the period the
title, "The Century of Genocide." The Holocaust is the most
profound tragedy of this century. Philosophers, historians,
psychologists, and theologians still grapple with understanding its
causes, processes, and consequences. Yet, sociologists have been
slow to take on this challenge. In Fathoming the Holocaust, Ronald
Berger attempts to fill this gap by providing a sociological lens
to explain the Final Solution." --Lynn Rapaport, Contemporary
Sociology "Ronald J. Berger brings a sociological perspective to
keys issues in Holocaust history in a new and insightful manner. He
applies "a general theory of social problems construction" to his
study of the Final Solution, from its origins to the emergence of
conflicting postwar collective memories. In so doing, he broadens
our understanding of this dark chapter of modern history . . .
creat[ing] a cogent and well-written case for the importance of
sociological reflection on the Holocaust." --Holocaust and Genocide
Studies "Fathoming the Holocaust is an engaging book that reveals
the power and value of the sociological imagination, offering
readers a distinctive understanding of how history, society, and
biography intersect in the construction and remembrance of the
Holocaust.... This cogent and panoramic book not only makes an
important contribution to the literature on the Holocaust, but also
to the literatures on social problems, collective memory, genocide,
ethnicity, altruism, historical sociology, and ... the sociology of
religion.... In addition to being thoughtful and well written, this
book illustrates how and why sociology, at its best, is a craft
that promotes a distinctive and empowering form of imagination."
--Teaching Sociology "This excellent book addresses the social
construction of two problems: the problem of "the Jew" in Nazi
Germany, and the problem of how the Holocaust has been constructed
and used since .. . post-1945.... I highly recommend this book to
anyone wishing to teach not only about the Holocaust, but also
about its ideological aftermath.... Fathoming the Holocaust is also
an important text for those who wish to research how other social
"problems" that result in human rights abuses, crimes against
humanity, or genocide are constructed, as well as how
after-the-fact victim claims are made and manipulated." --Canadian
Journal of Sociology Online
 |
Ask a Question About this Product More... |
|
