The Eichmann Trial

By: Deborah E Lipstadt

Narrated by: Walter Dixon

Length: 6 hrs and 48 mins

Publisher's summary

The capture of SS Lieutenant Colonel Adolf Eichmann by Israeli agents in Argentina in May of 1960 and his subsequent trial in Jerusalem by an Israeli court electrified the world. The public debate it sparked on where, how, and by whom Nazi war criminals should be brought to justice, and the international media coverage of the trial itself, was a watershed moment in how the civilized world in general and Holocaust survivors in particular found the means to deal with the legacy of genocide on a scale that had never been seen before.

Award-winning historian Deborah E. Lipstadt gives us an overview of the trial and analyzes the dramatic effect that the survivors’ courtroom testimony—which was itself not without controversy—had on a world that had until then regularly commemorated the Holocaust but never fully understood what the millions who died and the hundreds of thousands who managed to survive had actually experienced. As the world continues to confront the ongoing reality of genocide and ponder the fate of those who survive it, this trial of the century, which has become a touchstone for judicial proceedings throughout the world, offers a legal, moral, and political framework for coming to terms with unfathomable evil. Lipstadt infuses a gripping narrative with historical perspective and contemporary urgency.

©2011 Deborah E. Lipstadt (P)2011 Gildan Media Corp

Critic reviews

“Having covered the Eichmann trial myself, I can warmly recommend Deborah Lipstadt’s important analysis of its fascinating perspectives.” (Elie Wiesel)

“A penetrating and authoritative dissection of a landmark case and its after effects.” ( Publishers Weekly)

great book, enlightening

I have read more than a few books about the holocaust. This highlighted the evolution of perception about the shoah over time and generations. As for the conclusion concerning AE, it gave me a perspective on him I have yet to get from other books.

Good look at trial but nothing new

What did you like about this audiobook?

The details

How has the book increased your interest in the subject matter?

My interest in the subject started way before this book.

Does the author present information in a way that is interesting and insightful, and if so, how does he achieve this?

Yes pretty much so. Nothing new though that I wasn't already familiar with.

What did you find wrong about the narrator's performance?

He wasn't as bad as some have said. I didn't like his pronunciation of a few words.

Do you have any additional comments?

The author over uses the word Jewry which Ive not heard any other authors use. The narrator sounds like he's saying jewelry all the time.

Lots of poor pronunciation

At least every 10 minutes William Dixon mispronounces a word or name, such as labyrinthine! Very distracting. With a nonfiction work set mainly in Israel, couldn't the publisher make an effort to find someone who doesn't know how to pronounce words in English, much less Hebrew. Very distracting in spite of his blandly pleasant voice.

Must listen for those who want to know the truth of the holocaust.

It also explains about why the snobbish so called intellectual Hanna Arendt book is in no way an accurate report as according to this author she did not attend many court sessions and was vacationing much of the time during trial sessions. She also accuses Arendt of having her mind made up before she attended even the opening session of the trial. She would not be the only person whose ideology who does so but as a reporter she should have att least attended the whole trial in order to test her views and maybe learn new things.

Original take on an old story

If you could sum up The Eichmann Trial in three words, what would they be?

fresh, new perspective.

What did you like best about this story?

This retelling of the Eichmann story mentions details and events often left out of other books written on the subject.

Have you listened to any of Walter Dixon’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When Eichmann expressed sympathy for the interrogator's murdered father.

Any additional comments?

I think the other comments about this book are a bit harsh. It may not be the best book on the subject, but it offers a new perspective. Peter Malkin and Zvi Aharoni, two of the agents who captured Eichmann, have written about their experiences and those books should also be read by anybody who had read this one. Over all, I would say that this book is certainly worth reading. It also explores the issue of holocaust denial and the psychology behind Nazism. Although the narrator sounded inexperienced, it was still an enjoyable and educational audiobook.

Clearly Written, Authoritative Analysis

Renowned historian, Deborah Lipstadt offers a clearly written, authoritative analysis of the courtroom proceedings and of the debates surrounding it. This excellent audio book is gripping from beginning to end. Highly recommended.

Bit of a disappointment

The details of the actual trial are sandwiched in between a narrative of her own libel trial brought by a Holocaust denier and an unending commentary on Hannah Arendt’s book on the Eichmann trial.

uninspiring and little bit preachy

An uninspiring history lesson. This is the fascinating story of a fascinating historical event told with no sense of drama and leaning towards a one sided view of history that is almost as "preachy" in it's tone as it is boring to listen too... thats my own opinion. It's painted in black and white, presented as Eichmann = evil, Jews = Good. He is de-humanised and basically kept outside of his own story... I'm not supporting the man AT ALL but it just doesn't make for an interesting listen. It's preachy and told without a sense of human drama.

There is much pain and suffering in the Jewish collective consciousness, Lipstadt seems to want to channel that into a revenge myth that serves as a vehicle for her own beliefs about Israel in the present day.

An excellent work of historical interpretation

This is both the most balanced account of the trial itself and its legacy. It includes the best, fairest close reading of Arendt, taking full account of both the flaws and virtues of Eichmann in Jerusalem and its author. The way in which Lipstadt picks apart the webs of truth and fiction both within the trial and surrounding it should be a model for historians everywhere. The narration is generally fine but the way the narrator puts accents onto some of the words of the various figures (including Arendt's) felt grating and unnecessary. Overall, well worth a credit and the time. Highly recommended.

Is this about the author or about the event?

This book is terrible. The author's self-importance diminishes the significance of the event, as impossible as that sounds. It resembles a bad, chip-on-the-shoulder blog entry. Not worthy of the title of "history."