Eternal Treblinka [Paperback]

 

 

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I highly recommend this book. It makes striking comparisons between modern factory farming and slaughterhouses, and the Nazi death camps. When people are treated like animals commonly are, then it becomes easier to torture, use, and kill them. Connecting with the cold, detached cruelty of modern animal treatment sensitizes the individual to how all animals, including humans, deserve kindness and respect.

I read a lot of criticism about Charles Patterson's book, "Eternal Treblinka" before I actually read the book, so I was expecting something thought-provoking and controversial, to be sure. I was not disappointed. I know there have been many who have been offended by the comparison of mankind's treatment of animals to the Nazi's treatment of the Jews, and I can understand why. But on the other hand, the parallels that Mr. Patterson draw in this book are compelling, and seen from an objective, not emotional, point of view do make sense.

I've also heard of the protests where meat-eaters object to being likened to Nazis, and I'd like to point out right now that no such correlation is made in this book. It seems that many of the critics of "Eternal Treblinka" have not bothered to read the book.

There are many other sociological parallels that can be drawn in regard to our treatment of animals and their systematic slaughter from mere existence, but given Mr. Patterson's background, this is the one that makes sense to write about. What emerges from the pages of horrifying stories (both of animal abuse and human abuse) is a compelling argument for an open and critical discussion of our role, as humans, in the world and how far our dominion over other creatures really stretches.

I was surprised to learn that so many animal rights activists are either survivors of the Holocaust, or family members of survivors (or, in many cases, German citizens who were on the "safe" side during the war). These personal stories are moving, and the fact that these people can extend their sanctity for life beyond humans is truly inspiring.

This is a wonderful book. Hard to read in the way it's hard to face any tragedy and stare it down. Well worth it though. You will not be disappointed.

Reading Charles Patterson's THE ETERNAL TREBLINKA: OUR TREATMENT OF ANILMALS AND THE HOLOCAUST is a shattering experience. If Patterson's postulates are true, and he has carefully researched and documented with copious footnotes the facts he so bravely reveals here, then we as a global society need to take responsibility for the horrors against fellow man we so willingly assign to 'others', never ourselves. The parallel of man's treatment of animals from Genesis to the present and the recurring genocides of humans is stated early on in this wise book: "Not only did the domestication of animals provide the model and inspiration for human slavery and tyrannical government, but it laid the groundwork for western hierarchical thinking and European and American radical theories that called for the conquest and exploitation of 'lower races,' while at the same time vilifying them as animals so as to encourage and justify their subjugation." And later, "Throughout the history of our ascent to dominance as the master species, our victimization of animals has served as the model and foundation for our victimization of each other. The study of human history reveals the pattern: first, humans exploit and slaughter animals; then, they treat other people like animals and so the same to them."
Patterson traces our carnivorous society to the Ice Age when plants were no longer available for food and animals became the source of staving off hunger. From this beginning he traces the gradual herding, forced breeding, selective trashing of the weak and infirm, sterilization techniques, American Indian genocide and slavery practices throughout the world as well as in America, slaughterhouse productions lines (suggesting that Henry Ford who made assembly line production popular and who was one of Hitler's few heroes forged the way for models for the extermination camps of the Nazis) - all steps from the abuse of animals to the extermination of peoples in such a way that we as readers are forced to reflect on what we have always considered as atrocities that shamed other countries and societies are actually rooted in our own history.
Good books make us think. Patterson writes so well that despite his historical didactic approach to this uncomfortable subject, it is difficult to put this book down. Many may not wish to finish reading his tome, but everyone should be made aware of its postulates. In the midst of his documentation of his theory he places an utterly poetic tribute of a chapter to Isaac Bashivus Singer, the Nobel Prize laureate for literature in 1978. Singer was a vegetarian and a poet of kindness and Patterson seeks to imbue hope in his readers by emulating Singer's visions.
THE ETERNAL TREBLINKA is an important book and if we are to learn from history to prevent repetition of past sins then this surely stands as one source of instruction. Would that schools could include this as recommended reading for all students - form Junior High to high school to college.

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5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting and thought provoking
The book is interesting. Not much in it was new as far as factory farms etc. I was I admit a bit put off with the suggestion that all killing of animals for food is wrong, since... Read more

Published on Jun 15 2004 by MotherLodeBeth

5.0 out of 5 stars Reality
This book does only one thing. It makes us confront reality. The reality of animal slaughter: in all of its gruesomeness and obsceneness. Read more

Published on Nov 24 2003 by David Vidaurre

5.0 out of 5 stars Learn more about history than you did in school!
I'm trying to convince my World Studies and U.S. History teachers to use this book as a part of the curriculum. Read more

Published on Aug 17 2003 by Melanie Wilson

5.0 out of 5 stars Eternal Treblinka Review
"Eternal Treblinka" is well-written, thought-provoking, and much easier to read than I had imagined it would be. Read more

Published on July 4 2003 by Jill May

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a book not to be missed.
ETERNAL TREBLINKA has been a life-changing read. Patterson's choice of material is superb. Life changing is such an over-used term but I find TREBLINKA permeating areas of my... Read more

Published on Jan 19 2003 by Gail Ross

5.0 out of 5 stars I can't write anything better than the Rochester reader...
... but I must recommend this book HIGHLY, MOST HIGHLY to anyone with a conscience or who wants to develop her or his compassion. Read more

Published on Jan 8 2003 by Sean Hoade

5.0 out of 5 stars The Final Civil Rights Movement
There is no doubt in my mind that Charles Patterson has written a great book. It is seldom that such a
comprehensive work of scholarship springs from a heart of compassion in... Read more

Published on Jan 6 2003 by Helen Weaver

5.0 out of 5 stars A book that could really make a difference in the world
Eternal Treblinka: Our Treatment of Animals and the Holocaust is an extensively documented book in which Charles Patterson looks at the similarities between our species' treatment... Read more

Published on Jan 1 2003 by Melanie Wilson

5.0 out of 5 stars Voice for the Voiceless
ETERNAL TREBLINKA; OUR TREATMENT OF ANIMALS AND THE HOLOCAUST
By Charles Patterson

The title Eternal Treblinka refers to the ongoing holocaust of animals. Read more

Published on Dec 23 2002 by P. Rodriguez

5.0 out of 5 stars Required reading
If society is to ever evolve and embrace an ethic of compassion toward humans and animals, it will only happen when we confront the ideas presented in this book. Read more

Published on Nov 20 2002 by Stewart David

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