This well-known authority on Jewish and Holocaust studies here offers an excellent introduction to an issue of continuing importance. Holocaust theology has become a theological discipline in its own right, raising questions of enormous proportions for any theologian, whatever their outlook. Yet here Cohn-Sherbok provides the necessary background information to make such theology and study sensible.

The history he provides naturally focuses on the history of the German occupations and projects to take over and exterminate the Jewish people. However, he is careful enough to paint in the picture of the longer history of anti-Semitism, and the events leading to the rise of Hitler, the growth of the nationalist party, and how Hitler came to have such authoritative power. The middle of the book focuses on the war waged against Polish Jews, and then progresses with the move to the camps, the gas chambers, experiments, and the holocaust against other groups. Finally, Cohn-Sherbok discusses the post-war reaction to the Holocaust, the Nuremberg trials, and the revisionist history of the Holocaust deniers. Finally, he points towards the issues faced by those with religious belief once they confront this dreadful history.

The author is to be congratulated for providing an accessible and clear introduction to a difficult and emotive topic. Whilst any attempt at theodicy must go much further, Cohn-Sherbok has provided a tool for such theological work, and a survey worthy for any historical, political or sociological student.

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