Criminal case 40/61, the trial of Adolf Eichmann : an eyewitness account /

Mulisch, a celebrated Dutch author who has written in many genres, originally published this account of the Eichmann trial in Holland in 1962, drawing upon his articles for the Dutch journal Elseviers Weekblad. This is the first English translation. Although Hannah Arendt's well-known Eichmann in Jerusalem may be considered the definitive account of the trial, Arendt cites this work as an influence on her own. Mulisch makes an attempt to understand and expose the enigma that is Adolf Eichmann. His chronological and often philosophical account takes him from the trial in Israel to Berlin and Poland in search of the impetus behind Eichmann's motives. Mulisch observes, as Arendt would after him, that Eichmann has become the personification of all Nazis and that the trial has become a "society event" that attributes more importance to Eichmann than he deserves. Mulisch's conclusion is that Eichmann acted as a "machine," which is in many ways a more chilling conversion to contemplate than being "hypnotized" by a madman's agenda. As there are several newer books that have come out about the Eichmann trial, all academic libraries should have this primary account, as well as Arendt's definitive one.-Maria C. Bagshaw, Lake Erie Coll., Painesville, OH (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.