Eternal Treblinka [Paperback]

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.

I'm trying to convince my World Studies and U.S. History teachers to use this book as a part of the curriculum. Eternal Treblinka compares the disgustingly similar Holocausts of the Jewish during World War II and of the animals throughout history. The book also gives very important background information on the history of animal abuse and who was responsible for the genocide of the Jewish. It's surprisingly easy to read and it's amazing where he gets all this information. The book is divided into three parts: A Fundamental Debacle (I), Master Species, Master Race (II), and Holocaust Echoes (III). Each part is introduced by a quote(s) relating to the topics of the chapters.

"A Fundamental Debacle" talks about when animal abuse began and discusses the controversial subject of whether or not animals were put on earth for humans' needs. "Master Species, Master Race" describes what caused the Holocaust and every person responsible for carrying out the Final Solution (the scientists, slaughterhouse employees, Henry Ford, and Hitler himself) and the story of how slaughterhouses were established. Chapter three, "The Industrialization of Slaughter" includes quotes and paragraphs about the classic novel The Jungle by Upton Sinclair. And finally, "Holocaust Echoes" is comprised of the stories of animal rights activists who have been affected by the Holocaust, including Peter Singer and the Nobel Prize winner and Yiddish writer Isaac Bashevis Singer.

Also, this book isn't only about the Holocaust of the Jewish; it also talks about the mass murders of the Chinese during World War II, the infamous genocide of the Native Americans, the conquest of Africa and the Philippines, the dehumanization of the Vietnamese and what happened to the Japanese during the bombing of Pearl Harbor. This is a wonderful book and anybody who's interested in history should own a copy. I learned more history from reading this book than in my history classes. I knew more about the Holocaust than my teachers did, which was handy when I argue with them. --Reviewed by Angie Lau