What did you know about France's role in World War II and the Vel d'Hiv round-up in particular -before reading Sarah's key? How did this book teach you about, or change your impression of, this important chapter of France's history?
Zip, zilch, nada! I had no idea! It was amazing to learn about. I think the history (though not the result) is sort of similar to the camps that were set up for Japanese Americans in the USA during WWII. We don't hear about them much in school etc, because it is not something we are exactly proud of. People were not killed or exposed to the conditions of the French Jews and the intent of the camps were to protect (at least that's what they said and in some cases it was true) the Japanese Americans from other Americans they were still camps nonetheless and they were not treated with dignity all if the time. It is amazing what skeletons hang in the closets! Even of countries!
This story really opened my eyes again to the fact that we probably only know about 10% of actual history. And that we only learn about what someone decided was ok to teach us in school, and every other learning experience in life!
I think we would all be amazed at how much History we DON'T know!
I know right! That's the kicker isn't it? Not only are we trusting the author of the history book, but we are trusting their sources too...who knows what people were really thinking when they wrote that crap down!
I agree with all of your comments--I knew absolutely nothing about any of this! If you want to know even more of the history of this, read "The Hiding Place"--it will give you more perspective as to what was going on at this time in the world. It will also redeem your faith in mankind!
I also did not know about this. Things that are horrific and that people are ashamed about, tend to be hidden from others - especially those who are horrific tragedies.
The Hiding Place is a fantastic book and as Patti says, it will renew your faith in mankind.
Zip, zilch, nada! I had no idea! It was amazing to learn about. I think the history (though not the result) is sort of similar to the camps that were set up for Japanese Americans in the USA during WWII. We don't hear about them much in school etc, because it is not something we are exactly proud of. People were not killed or exposed to the conditions of the French Jews and the intent of the camps were to protect (at least that's what they said and in some cases it was true) the Japanese Americans from other Americans they were still camps nonetheless and they were not treated with dignity all if the time. It is amazing what skeletons hang in the closets! Even of countries!
ReplyDeleteThis story really opened my eyes again to the fact that we probably only know about 10% of actual history. And that we only learn about what someone decided was ok to teach us in school, and every other learning experience in life!
ReplyDeleteI think we would all be amazed at how much History we DON'T know!
I know right! That's the kicker isn't it? Not only are we trusting the author of the history book, but we are trusting their sources too...who knows what people were really thinking when they wrote that crap down!
ReplyDeleteI knew absolutely nothing about it and was quite shocked! It sounds like this is something the French try and keep quiet.
ReplyDeleteI agree with all of your comments--I knew absolutely nothing about any of this! If you want to know even more of the history of this, read "The Hiding Place"--it will give you more perspective as to what was going on at this time in the world. It will also redeem your faith in mankind!
ReplyDeleteLet's add The Hiding Place to the list of books to read!
ReplyDeleteI also did not know about this. Things that are horrific and that people are ashamed about, tend to be hidden from others - especially those who are horrific tragedies.
ReplyDeleteThe Hiding Place is a fantastic book and as Patti says, it will renew your faith in mankind.