Denial: Holocaust History on Trial

Now a major motion picture starring Rachel Weisz, Timothy Spall and Tom Wilkinson.

“A compelling book: memoir and courtroom drama, a work of historical and legal import. ” -- Jewish Week

Deborah Lipstadt, author of the groundbreaking Denying the Holocaust, chronicles her six-year legal battle with controversial British World War II historian David Irving that culminated in a sensational 2000 trial in London

In her acclaimed 1993 book Denying the Holocaust, Deborah Lipstadt called putative World War II historian David Irving “one of the most dangerous spokespersons for Holocaust denial”, a conclusion that she reached by examining his cunning manipulations of evidence, partisanship to Hitler, persistent exoneration of the Third Reich, and his confirmed celebrity among swelling ranks of anti-Semitic organizations internationally. In 1994, Irving filed a libel lawsuit, not in the U.S. courtroom—where the onus of proof lies on the plaintiff, but in the UK—where the onus of proof lies on the defendant. At stake were not only the reputations of two historians, but the record of history itself.

The four-month trial took place in London in 2000 and drew international attention. With the help of a first-rate team of solicitors and historians and the support of her UK publisher, Penguin, Lipstadt won, her victory proclaimed on the front page of major newspapers around the world. Part history, part real life courtroom drama, Denial is Lipstadt’s riveting, blow-by-blow account of the trial that tested the standards of historical and judicial truths and resulted in a formal denunciation of the infamous Holocaust denier.

Originally published as History on Trial.

In her acclaimed 1993 book Denying the Holocaust, Deborah Lipstadt called David Irving, a prolific writer of books on World War II, “one of the most dangerous spokespersons for Holocaust denial.” The following year, after Lipstadt’s book was published in the United Kingdom, Irving filed a libel suit against Lipstadt and her publisher. She prepared her defense with the help of a first-rate team of solicitors, historians, and experts, and a dramatic trial unfolded.

Denial, previously published as History on Trial, is Lipstadt’s riveting, blow-by-blow account of this singular legal battle, which resulted in a formal denunciation of a Holocaust denier that crippled the movement for years to come. Lipstadt’s victory was proclaimed on the front page of major news-
papers around the world, such as The Times (UK), which declared that ‘history has had its day in court and scored a crushing victory.’”

“A dose of strong medicine that is intended to restore some sanity to the study of what did and did not happen. . . . Lipstadt establishes herself as a leading historian of “second generation” Holocaust studies.” - Los Angeles Times

“Resonant.” - Baltimore Sun

“A compelling book, History on Trial is memoir and courtroom drama, a work of historical and legal import. ” - Jewish Week

“Immensely readable…. History on Trial restores one’s faith in the power of good scholarship.” - Washington Times

“Compelling…. Lipstadt’s vigorous account is a window into a Jewish community still grappling with the loss of 6 million souls.” - Newsweek International

“Deborah Lipstadt’s absorbing narrative . . . will be read with interest and gratitude by future generations of students and teachers.” - Elie Wiesel

“Chilling. . . . Lipstadt provides persuasive evidence that for all the concern over neo-Nazis, Hitler’s most effective last battalion may turn out to be the pseudo-historians who devote their energies to arguing the Holocaust was a lie.” - New York Newsday

“History on Trial is not the first book about the case....But Lipstadt’s story is more personal, compelling and intriguing.” - San Francisco Chronicle

“A well-paced, expertly detailed and fascinating account of the trial process.” - Daniel Jonah Goldhagen, Washington Post Book World

“Powerful…. No one who cares about historical truth, freedom of speech or the Holocaust will avoid a sense of triumph.” - Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“Lipstadt gives a detailed account of the trial that never loses its suspense, readability or momentum. Or humor.” - Salon.com

“Fascinating.... [Lipstadt] takes us into the moment and produces a courtroom drama as enthralling as any fictional one.” - San Jose Mercury News

“Deborah Lipstadt is writing for us. And for the ages.” - Atlanta Journal-Constitution

“A fascinating and meritorious work of legal—and moral—history.” - Kirkus Reviews (Starred)