The Scourge of the Swastika
| Company type | Book |
|---|---|
| Industry | Publishing |
| Founded | 1954 |
| Founder | Edward Russell, 2nd Baron Russell of Liverpool |
| Products | Non-fiction book on Nazi war crimes |
The Scourge of the Swastika: A Short History of Nazi War Crimes is a non-fiction work authored by Edward Russell, 2nd Baron Russell of Liverpool and published in 1954.
Synopsis
This volume provides a brief overview of Nazi war atrocities, accompanied by vivid photographic documentation.
Publication
Upon its release, the book generated significant controversy, leading to a government directive for its withdrawal. Shortly before the book's launch, Russell stepped down from his position as Assistant Judge Advocate General. Issued by Cassell on 19 August 1954, it rapidly achieved international bestseller status and sustained robust sales over an extended period.
Reception
In the ABA Journal, U.S. Circuit Judge John J. Parker commended Russell for delivering a clear and accessible account of these war crimes. In contrast, Drew Middleton of The New York Times characterized the book as a "challenging" read.
Legacy and influence
The Scourge of the Swastika has left a lasting impact on various individuals, including novelist Howard Jacobson, who referenced it in his works The Mighty Walzer (1999) and Kalooki Nights (2006). Hungarian-Canadian physician Gabor Maté, whose grandparents were victims at Auschwitz, described it as the "book that changed his life." Activist Tony Greenstein identified it as the initial book that shaped his comprehension of human cruelty.
Filmmaker Mark Forstater, with family members lost in the Majdanek concentration camp and Belzec extermination camp, cited the book in his project I Survived a Secret Nazi Extermination Camp, highlighting a powerful photograph of Belzec prisoners featured within The Scourge of the Swastika.