The Swastika: Symbol Beyond Redemption?

The Nazis took a symbol with a thousand year history, which they really just ruined for the world. The swastika was used by Native Americans, Nordic Peoples, Polish Mountain Dwellers and Hindus, to name just a few. Only the Hindus use it freely nowadays. This book shows the history of the stolen symbol, from the ancient times to usage in pre-Hitler commercials for products so well known as Coca-Cola. Many of the usages are shown, including types of swastikas found in each region of the world. The book does not concentrate on Nazi usage as many do, though illustrations for that time are also plentiful. It's not long so it really isn't a study book, but it does make an interesting read.

I loved this book so much. I am a Buddhist, myself...and I wish that I didn't get ridiculed so much for wearing the swastika...but sadly enough, people are going to be ignorant. All it takes is a few moments to open up a book and figure out where the symbol came from and what it really meant.

I ordered this book for my kids school project, even though I am a voracious reader, I don't care to know anything about mad man's crazy ideologies. But I digress, book order came fast as expected, which in typical fashion of teenager told me when the project was due in few days, so paid extra for 2 day shipping, and got it in 2 days.

Steven Heller is both graphic designer and historian, This book explains, and better shows, how the Swastica came to be both part of our culture and the symbol of evil. This was the second copy of the book I purchased. It is both unique and interesting.

Not anti semetic

very good，especially the customer service. Thank you so much!

In a relatively a short book, less then 160 pages, the author Stephen Heller managed to recount the history and usages of this notorious symbol used by Adolf Hitler and his Nazi Party. The book is filled of illustrations showing how this symbol were used by many cultures from many lands across the face of this planet thousands of years prior to Hitler's Third Reich. Hitler's claims that swastika is a pure "Aryan" symbol mocked his own understanding of this symbol. It pretty clear by author's assertions that swastika have been used by many for various purposes. Some of the most interesting aspects the author brought up was that swastika was the symbol the Girl's Club in the United States during the early of the 20th century and each of their magazine covers had swastika all over it.Although the author touched on the Asian usage of the swastika, he fell little short regarding the Asian elements of the swastika and its meanings. When my father was stationed in Japan, I had a chance to see many swastikas on Japanese temples and surprised to see swastikas adopted into some of the Japanese samurai families' mon (family crest) during that era of history. One of the more funnier things I have seen was reading a Japanese map and seeing all these red swastikas on the map - each of them showing the location of a temple or a shrine. One of my friends who didn't know any better asked once if that map is showing where all the Nazis live in this area.The author also wrote some interesting stuff on whether this symbol can ever be save from how we see it today, symbol of evil, racism and hate. The book came to a regretful conclusion that as long as there are large numbers of racists and anti-Semites out there using the swastika for their own purpose and with its history, this symbol can never be reclaim in innocence. In some way, the swastika's fate can be linked with the Confederate Battle Flag. Both will always be associated with racism and hate as long as there are people who will used it as such.Overall, a very useful book and interesting reading material to anyone who wants to know more about this symbol which apparently been hijacked permanently by Adolf Hitler and those like him.

Arrived without book jacket. Disappointed and dissatisfied.

OK

A small, but decent, review of the history, use, and symbolism of of the swastika. I was disappointed that the "irredeemable?" bit of the subtitle didn't get more in depth analysis. The author pretty well says as much in the post script. I suppose I was looking for a bit more in depth semiotics and political philosophy, and less polemic, with the conclusion all but reached ahead of time.

Sadly more of a high school text book than an interesting read. I'm sure it's accurate and has clearly been well researched but the format & style make it very difficult for general reading. I was expecting test pages at the end!