Denying History: Who Says the Holocaust Never Happened and Why Do They Say It? by Michael Shermer and Alex Grobman

Finished We 12/7/11

This is not a book which attempts to present the case that The Holocaust did not occur, but it's an examination of the logic, arguments, aims, and make-up of the groups who make these outrageous claims. The authors do more than just 'shut-down' these appalling theories, but they aptly demonstrate the questionable logic upon which they are based.

The primary proponent of this fallacious theory is a group called,The Institute for Historical Review. The name itself seems to imply that this obvious travesty of human behavior is somehow in need of a review. Their questionable arguments are framed in an almost impossible manner. It's similar to trying to defend yourself from the following question. "When did you stop beating your wife"?

This book clearly demonstrates that the facts DO NOT speak for themselves, and there needs to be a clear and accepted apparatus for judging what 'is' and what 'is not' part of the historical record. And, DENYING HISTORY's strength is that it successfully engages the reader in this process.

Some of the fallacious claims-

-The Jews were made to wear the yellow stars for their own protection. They were the victims of rampant persecution, and by making them more visible, the Nazis could better protect them.
-The gas chambers were only used to delouse clothing and personal articles.
-Bodies cremated were only people who had died of natural causes.
-One expert testified that "Zklon B" took ten minutes to work. It actually took longer than this, so this proves that it never was used.
-"Zklon B" residue was not found in the walls of the chambers after they were tested fifty years later.
-There is no accepted claim as to the number of actual Death Camps.