For centuries, Christians nurtured hatred towards Jews, blaming them for misfortunes and disasters. How did this hatred arise? How did it ultimately pave the way for the "Final Solution"? Rudolf Hirsch and Rosemarie Schuder illustrate in their richly illustrated book the societal, ideological, and social-psychological sources of anti-Semitism and hatred towards Jews from the Middle Ages to the Holocaust, and the resentments that justified it. They provide detailed descriptions of the changing political and social conditions as well as the way of life of Jews living in German-speaking regions over the centuries. Additionally, Rudolf Hirsch and Rosemarie Schuder thoroughly depict their art, culture, and religious traditions. Although they modestly refer to their work as essays, they have created a comprehensive account of the history of the Germans.