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.

• 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

“…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