Handbook of Psychoanalytic Holocaust Studies

<p>This book is a unique compilation of essays about the genocidal persecution fuelling the Nazi regime in World War II. Written by world-renowned experts in the field it confronts a vitally important and exceedingly difficult topic with sensitivity courage and wisdom furthering our understanding of the Holocaust/Shoah psychoanalytically historically and through the arts.</p><p>Authors from four continents offer their perspectives clinical experiences findings and personal narratives on such subjects as resilience remembrance giving testimony aging and mourning. There is an emphasis on the intergenerational transmission of trauma of both the victims and the perpetrators with chapters looking at the question of evil comparative studies prevention and the misuse of the Holocaust. Those chapters relating to therapy address the specific issues of the survivors including the second and third generation through psychoanalysis as well as other modalities whilst the section on creativity and the arts looks at film theater poetry opera and writing. </p><p>The aftermath of the Holocaust demanded that psychoanalysis re-examine the importance of psychic trauma; those who first studied this darkest chapter in human history successfully challenged the long-held assumption that psychical reality was essentially the only reality to be considered. As a result contemporary thought about trauma dissociation self psychology and relational psychology were greatly influenced by these pioneers whose ideas have evolved since then. This long-awaited text is the definitive update and elaboration of their original contributions.</p>