Some of my earliest recollections of any topic in Jewish history come from coffee table books. You know – the large, glossy photo collections about various moments in Jewish history or culture that sit in living rooms.

The topic that stands out most is Holocaust books. What makes a coffee table book unique is its focus on imagery. We had our fair share of history learning in school and at home, but a picture is worth a thousand words. And the Holocaust, being a moment in “modern” history, provided a unique opportunity for those of us growing up post-Holocaust to glimpse life in Europe.

I remember being shocked by the scenes of bodies in pits. Pictures of German soldiers laughing at Jews. Pictures of civilians watching with delight as atrocities unfolded around them. These images have a way of never leaving your active memory.

Anyone who has read enough Holocaust history knows that every good book begins with context. The glory days of Jewish life in pre-war Europe can almost feel like a fantasy. The vibrant culture, with Jewish newspapers and literature. The romanticized shtetl with its bustling streets. The proliferation of Torah learning in the great centers of........

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