Holocaust Never Happened Summary

The book is organized into four main topics that deal with the idea of free speech, the Holocaust Denial movement itself, the arguments and refutations of deniers claims, and the relationship between real truth and history. These topics are subdivided into smaller chapters which focus on a key theme related to the topic. For example, part two of the book titled, “Inside the Denial Movement,” contains chapter four which is titled, “Why They Say the Holocaust Never Happened,” (75). This chapter, within the larger topic, focuses on the reasoning and motivation behind Holocaust Deniers participation within the movement. Chapters are further divided into smaller topical sections which usually contain discussion of secondary and primary sources that highlight the theme of the section. Chapter four contains the subsection, “The Psychology of Extremism” (88-91), which analyzes the mental state of extremists and why they normalize their views despite being attacked for …show more content…
In chapter three, “Who Says the Holocaust Never Happened?” (42), Shermer and Grobman present an image of the leading Holocaust Denier journal, The Journal for Historical Review. The journal, and the institute that publishes it, provide a majority of the evidence for what Shermer and Grobman call, “...the focal point of the movement,” (42). The authors also make extensive use of direct quotations from leading Holocaust denying figures. One example is given by David Irving, a British author and “historian,” who has worked very closely with the denial movement and has outspoken denial sentiments. Chapter four, “Why They Say the Holocaust Never Happened,” features a quote from David Irving in which he explains his belief that a majority of the anti semitism Jews face is a result of their own actions and not hateful individuals