Conversations host Harry Kreisler welcomes historian Tom Segev for a discussion of his new book, The Life and Legends of Simon Wiesenthal. The conversation focuses on the roots of Wiesenthal's passionate commitment to justice and explores his lifelong quest to convict perpetrators of genocide. Wiesenthal's goal was to prevent future genocides by keeping the memory of the holocaust alive. Topics covered in the interview include Wiesenthal's circle of identities, his operating style, his perspectives on the holocaust, his involvement in the capture of Adolph Eichmann, his tempestuous relations with author Elie Wiesel and his surprising friendship with former Nazi Albert Speer. Segev concludes with a psychological interpretation of how survivor's guilt led Wiesenthal to grapple with profound issues of evil, guilt, justice, and redemption that the international community often preferred to forget.
KEYWORDS: Genocide.