Der Ort des Terrors: A Comprehensive History of Nazi Concentration Camps
Documenting the systemic brutality of the Third Reich requires meticulous scholarship and exhaustive detail. Der Ort des Terrors (The Place of Terror: History of the National Socialist Concentration Camps) serves as a definitive German encyclopedia series dedicated to mapping the vast and oppressive camp system established by Nazi Germany.
Published between 2005 and 2009 by C. H. Beck, this scholarly work was produced under the direction of Wolfgang Benz and Barbara Distel. The series was edited by Angelika Königseder, a specialist from the Zentrum für Antisemitismusforschung (Center for Research on Antisemitism), ensuring a high standard of academic rigor in its presentation of historical facts.
Key Facts
- Full Title: Der Ort des Terrors. Geschichte der nationalsozialistischen Konzentrationslager.
- Publication Period: 2005–2009.
- Total Volumes: 9 books.
- Publisher: C. H. Beck.
- Editors: Edited by Angelika Königseder; published by Wolfgang Benz and Barbara Distel.
- Language: German.
Structure of the Encyclopedia
The series is organized logically to guide the reader from the theoretical and administrative foundations of the camp system to the specific geographical and functional realities of the sites.
Foundations and Main Camps
The first volume establishes the framework, addressing the central issues and systemic mechanisms of the Nazi camp system. Following this, volumes 2 through 7 provide detailed articles on the primary concentration camps and their associated subcamps, arranged in chronological order to illustrate the evolution of the system.
Eastern Europe and Forced Labor
The scope of the work extends beyond the borders of the Reich. Volume 8 focuses specifically on the concentration and extermination camps located within German-occupied Eastern Europe. Finally, volume 9 documents the diverse array of other facilities within the broader Nazi forced labor camp system.
| Volume(s) | Focus Area | Content Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Central Issues | Foundational concepts of the Nazi camp system. |
| 2–7 | Main Camps | Chronological accounts of concentration camps and subcamps. |
| 8 | Eastern Europe | Concentration and extermination camps in occupied territories. |
| 9 | Forced Labor | Other types of camps within the forced labor system. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who edited the Der Ort des Terrors series?
The series was edited by Angelika Königseder of the Zentrum für Antisemitismusforschung and published by Wolfgang Benz and Barbara Distel.
How many volumes make up the encyclopedia?
The complete set consists of nine volumes.
When was this work published?
The volumes were published between 2005 and 2009.
What is the primary language of the publication?
The encyclopedia is written in German.
Does the series cover camps outside of Germany?
Yes, volume 8 specifically addresses the concentration and extermination camps located in German-occupied Eastern Europe.