The Universe of Death and Torment
Aly writes a positive assessment of Goldhagen’s book, asserting that everything Goldhagen reports is true, yet it is only the tip of the iceberg. Although Aly is critical of important aspects of the book, particularly its deterministic, one-dimensional explanation for the Holocaust, he still believes the book should be read with critical sympathy. He believes Goldhagen should get credit for facing – and forcing his readers to face – the issues that are at the heart of the Holocaust, those issues that appear in the documents that leave Aly speechless.