Anna Hájková, "People without History are Dust: Queer Desire in the Holocaust" (U Toronto Press, 2025)

Anna Hájková, "People without History are Dust: Queer Desire in the Holocaust" (U Toronto Press, 2025)

Author: New Books Network December 26, 2025 Duration: 33:45
Queerness remains one of the most stigmatized and overlooked aspects of Holocaust history, often erased due to the lingering homophobia of survivors. People Without History Are Dust: Queer Desire in the Holocaust (U Toronto Press, 2025) challenges this silence, weaving together compelling stories of German, Dutch, Czech, and Polish Jewish Holocaust victims and survivors – including Anne Frank, Molly Applebaum, Margot Heuman, and Gad Beck – whose experiences help illuminate the hidden history of queerness in a time of genocide. Drawing on extensive archival research, this groundbreaking book uncovers the lives of those who were doubly marginalized, not only persecuted as Jews but also as queer individuals. In doing so, it confronts the ways in which history has excluded or minimized their experiences, urging us to question normative accounts of the Holocaust. By shedding light on these long-overlooked stories, People Without History Are Dust deepens our understanding of identity, survival, and memory, reminding us why an inclusive and complex approach to history is essential – not just for the sake of the past, but in service to the present and the future as well. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/lgbtq-studies

Dive into the vibrant and evolving world of queer scholarship with New Books in LGBTQ+ Studies. This podcast, part of the broader New Books Network, functions as a unique academic audio library, bringing rigorous yet accessible conversations directly to your ears. Each episode features an in-depth dialogue where authors discuss their latest publications with a knowledgeable host, unpacking the ideas, research, and personal journeys behind their work. You’ll encounter a rich spectrum of topics that span the categories of arts, culture, society, health, and sexuality, reflecting the interdisciplinary heart of LGBTQ+ studies. Rather than dry lectures, these are lively explorations that connect academic research to lived experience and contemporary issues. The format allows for nuanced discussion you simply can’t get from a book jacket or review, offering listeners a front-row seat to the cutting edge of queer thought. It’s an invitation to engage with the scholars who are shaping our understanding of identity, community, history, and politics. For anyone curious about the depth and breadth of queer scholarship-from seasoned academics to dedicated allies and lifelong learners-this channel provides a consistently enlightening resource. Tune in to hear the voices defining the field, one compelling book at a time.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

New Books in LGBTQ+ Studies
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