Sad Fiasco

Jonas Kreienbaum is a lecturer at the Historical Institute of the University of Rostock. He holds a doctorate in modern history from Humboldt University Berlin and has worked extensively on colonial history, decolonization, and mass violence.

“…a measured, meticulously researched and enterprising account of two colonial concentration camp systems… This impressive book helps its readers to grasp more clearly a tragic phase of modern history.” • African Studies Quarterly“Kreienbaum provides a solid and concise overview of the two colonial wars before presenting a stimulating investigation not only of the daily functioning of colonial concentration camps but also of the motives behind their establishment… The book thus constitutes a worthwhile and thought-provoking read for historians interested in British and German colonial history, internment history or the discussion of similarities and dissimilarities between colonialism and the Third Reich.” • Patterns of Prejudice“This meticulous study is a must read for scholars and students interested in (African) prison/camp history and German and British colonialism… Those with an interest in forced labour will take away as much as those reading for information on the postcolonial ‘continuity thesis’.” • Journal of Namibian Studies“A convincing and readable study … analytically compelling and based on rich primary-source research.” • Militärgeschichtliche Zeitschrift“In agreeably sober language, Jonas Kreienbaum uses a broad selection of material to convincingly reconstruct the aims, practices, and functions of colonial concentration camps.” • Historische Zeitschrift“Kreienbaum … not only engages at length with the opposing positions in a longstanding debate, but also approaches his research questions expertly, based on a wealth of primary sources consulted in state and missionary archives in Germany, Namibia, South Africa and Great Britain as well as contemporary scholarship.” • Zeitschrift für Geschichtswissenschaft

• List of IllustrationsList of Tables and MapsAcknowledgementsIntroductionChapter 1. The Context: Colonial Wars in South Africa and South-West AfricaChapter 2. The Purpose of the CampsChapter 3. How the Camps FunctionedChapter 4. Deadly Learning? Observation and Knowledge TransferChapter 5. Comparative Reflections on Colonial and National Socialist CampsFinal Observations: “A Sad Fiasco”BibliographyIndex