The Politics of Memory in Postwar Europe

“The Politics of Memory in Postwar Europe contains much that is worthwhile, both in terms of conceptual integration of the literature on collective memory and the richness of the case studies offered.” - Marijke Breuning, Political Psychology

“[A] well-constructed and well-organized collection of essays . . . [and] a useful introduction to national memory cultures in postwar Europe.” - Eve M. Duffy, German Studies Review

“[O]ffer[s] a succinct introduction to . . . scholarship on the politics of memory in seven European nations that might serve as a solid foundation for readers interested in exploring the topic further.” - Kimba Allie Tichenor, H-Net Reviews

“[P]rovides many insights and observations of great interest and high value.” - Bo Strath, German Quarterly

“Comparative studies—like The Politics of Memory in Postwar Europe—make us aware of how much shared memories create and sustain identities of individuals and communities and of the substantial impact they have on relationships between nations.” - Anna Ziębińska-Witek, CLIO

“Lebow, Kansteiner and Fogu have gathered together some worthwhile contributions. . . . The volume will be of particular use to historians and those in the field of cultural studies.” - Christopher Ward, Journal of European Studies

“The editors of the volume sought, and indeed achieved, good communication between historians and social scientists who are working on collective memory (p. ix), by using various methodologies in the
fields of history, literature, social psychology, political science and international relations. . . . [A] very compelling volume. . . .” - Raphael Vago, Israel Journal of Foreign Affairs

“The seven national case studies which are at the core of the volume . . . provide excellent summaries of the state of research in this field for each nation.” - Christof Dejung, Journal of Contemporary History

“This rich volume examines the ‘politics of memory’ in postwar Austria, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Switzerland, and Russia.” - Stanley Hoffmann, Foreign Affairs

“This thoughtful and stimulating series of essays from a variety of disciplines explores how the memory of World War Two continues to be revised within several European national contexts, including France, Austria, Germany, Italy, Poland, Switzerland, and Russia.” - Christine Lavrence, Canadian Journal of Sociology

“A stimulating addition to the literature on the intersection between memory and history, this collection is an intelligent and robust engagement with issues that simply won’t go away. One of its advantages is that it takes seriously the need to sharpen the conceptual tools we need to handle a subject as protean as memory.” - Jay Winter, author of Sites of Memory, Sites of Mourning: The Great War in European Cultural History

“This is not the first collaborative volume on post–World War II memory in Europe to appear in recent years, but it is the best and most important. Two qualities that set it apart are the integration of excellent historical writing with a stimulating social-science framework and the broadly humanistic cultural sensibilities embodied in the country-specific chapters. The book will be read with benefit by students of history and political psychology, as well as by those interested in the comparative politics of the past.” - Martin O. Heisler, University of Maryland