The scheme proposed in 1941 by Hitler's lieutenant Reinhard Heydrich for the incarceration and elimination of the minority populations of Eastern Europe evolved into the Holocaust by the later years of World War II (1939-1945). The Holocaust is regarded as the most systemic concentration of evil intent the world has ever known. For the last half century, it has haunted the imaginations of survivors, of many of the world's finest writers, and of entire nations. More information: |
Michael Seidel is a Professor in the Department of English and Comparative Literature at Columbia University. His Top 10 list reflects a broad historical approach. He also discusses the impact of the great events on writers, artists, and humanity in general. |