In Search of the True Gypsy: From Enlightenment to Final Solution / Edition 1

by Wim Willems

Overview

It has only been recognised tardily and with reluctance that during the Second World War hundreds of thousands of itinerants met the same horrendous fate as Jews and other victims of Nazism. Gypsies appear to appeal to the imagination simply as social outcasts and scapegoats or, in a flattering but no more illuminating light, as romantic outsiders.



In this study, contemporary notions about Gypsies are traced back as far as possible to their roots, in an attempt to lay bare why stigmatisation of gypsies, or rather groups labelled as such, has continuned from the distant past even to today.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780714642222
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	01/31/1998
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	376
Product dimensions:	6.12(w) x 9.19(h) x (d)

Table of Contents

CHOICE - "This is a book sure to elicit continued controversy and should be part of every Gypsy collection, but it will be of limited interest to nonspecialists".



Patterns of Prejudice, Vol 34, No 1

"Willem"s work is a very important and welcome addition."



Holocaust and Genocide Studies

"Willem"s study will become a milestone in the history of research on the Gypsies, because it, in excellent fashion, makes this very history its theme.

Editorial Reviews

Not so much about the Gypsies themselves, but a tracing of the history of contemporary notions about them, and groups labelled as Gypsies, as both romantic exotics and social outcasts and scapegoats. Willems (history of migrants, U. of Amsterdam) does include information on the way of life, culture, norms, and values, of the caravan people, but as support for his main theme rather than systematically. Developed from a 1995 doctoral thesis, , probably for the University of Leiden. Paper edition (unseen), $24.50. Distributed in the US by ISBS. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.

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