"A fascinating and cautionary examination of how genocide can take root at the local level--turning neighbors, friends, and even family members against one another--as seen through the eastern European border town of Buczacz during World War II."--Amazon.com. "For more than four hundred years, the Eastern European border town of Buczacz--today part of Ukraine--was home to Poles, Ukrainians, and Jews, all living side by side in relative harmony. Then came World War II, and in the span of a few years the entire Jewish population had been murdered by German and Ukrainian police, while Ukrainian nationalists eradicated Polish residents. The violence lifted as quickly as it began, leaving the survivors searching for answers. In Anatomy of a Genocide, historian Omer Bartov shows that ethnic cleansing doesn't occur, as is so often portrayed in popular history, with the quick ascent of a vitriolic political leader and the unleashing of military might. It begins in seeming peace, slowly and often unnoticed, as the culmination of pent-up slights and grudges and indignities..."--Dust jacket.

Memories of childhood -- The gathering storm -- Enemies at their pleasure -- Together and apart -- Soviet power -- German order -- The daily life of genocide -- Neighbors -- Aftermath.