Kingdom of Night
Witnesses to the Holocaust

Mark Celinscak (Author)

9781487505745

Hardback, published 10 January 2022

344 pages, 45 b&w illustrations, 1 b&w figure, 4 b&w maps
23.5 x 15.9 x 2.4 cm, 0.63 kg

"Celinscak compiles stark and moving personal accounts by Canadians engaged in the liberation of one of the most notorious sites in Hitler’s camp system... This book fills a gap in the history of the atrocities and its effect on those who saw it first-hand." (Canadian Jewish Literary Awards) "In Kingdom of Night, Celinscak powerfully illustrates through their own words the experiences of these Canadian military and relief personnel. The result is a collection of witness testimonies which will both appeal to a general reader and influence future research into Belsen’s liberation and relief... [it is] an essential book." - Robert Thompson, University College London (Holocaust Studies: A Journal of Culture and History) "One of the many strengths of Celinscak’s work is his ability to chart change over time in the camp…. This volume is clearly the product of deep and sustained research, and the result gives scholars and students access to another range of English language sources dealing with the war’s end." - Lisa M. Todd, University of New Brunswick (The Canadian Historical Review) "This book offers a lively description of the efforts, failures and support of the many Canadians involved [at Belsen], while also bearing witness to a great humanitarian tragedy. Both the experiences of the survivors and the actions of Canadian soldiers are described here in a humane and thoughtful way. This book sheds light on an important period of Canadian history that is largely forgotten, while adding valuable perspective to Holocaust studies." (Vine Awards Jury)

In April 1945, when the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp was surrendered and handed over to the British Army, Canadian forces arrived on scene to provide support, to bear witness, and to document the crimes. They were overwhelmed, understaffed, and left without adequate supplies, equipment, and medicine. Their encounters at the camp were haunting, transformative experiences that forever changed their lives.

List of Illustrations
Foreword by Joseph Podemski
Preface
Acknowledgments
Bergen-Belsen: A Timeline