Toward the Final Solution: A History of European Racism (The Collected Works of George L. Mosse)

Originally published in 1978, Toward the Final Solution was one of the first in-depth studies of the evolution of racism in Europe, from the Age of Enlightenment through the Holocaust and Hitler's Final Solution. George L. Mosse details how antisemitism and dangerous prejudices have long existed in the European cultural tradition, revealing an appalling and complex history. With the global renewal of extreme, right-wing nationalism, this instrumental work remains as important as ever for understanding how bigotry impacts political, cultural, and intellectual life. This edition of Mosse's classic book includes a new critical introduction by Christopher R. Browning, author of Ordinary Men: Reserve Police Battalion 101 and the Final Solution in Poland . Contents List of Illustrations Acknowledgments A Critical Introduction by Christopher R. Browning Prologue: Affirmations and New Dimensions Introduction: The Meaning of Race Part I: The Beginning 1 Eighteenth-Century Foundations 2 From Science to Art: The Birth of Stereotypes 3 Nation, Language, and History 4 From Gobineau to de Lapouge Part II: The Penetration 5 Britain Lends a Hand 6 The Science of Race 7 The Mystery of Race 8 The Jews: Myth and Counter-Myth 9 Infected Christianity 10 The Rise of National Socialism Part III: The Execution 11 War and Revolution 12 From Theory to Practice 13 Racism and Mass Murder 14 A Conclusion That Does Not Conclude Notes Index