In "Divided Memory," Jeffrey Herf embarks on a meticulous exploration of how Germany has grappled with the shadows of its Nazi past, revealing a complex landscape of memory shaped by political ideologies and the division between East and West Germany. With an eye for detail and a sweeping grasp of historical context, Herf investigates the paradoxical approaches to the remembrance of Nazism's crimes, from the anti-Nazi emigration of the 1930s to the establishment of a day of remembrance for the victims of National Socialism in 1996. Through a deep dive into the public and private discourses of key political figures across both Germanys, Herf unveils the selective memory in liberal-democratic West Germany and the repressive amnesia in "anti-fascist" East Germany, offering a groundbreaking perspective on the interplay between memory, politics, and ideology. Herf's narrative is not just a recounting of history but a profound analysis of how the Cold War's geopolitical tensions influenced the public memory of the Holocaust and anti-Jewish persecution in both German states. By examining the impact of political beliefs and international relations on the processes of remembering and forgetting, "Divided Memory" sheds light on the complexities of confronting a dark past. The book navigates through the intricate maze of historical events, political decisions, and ideological battles, from the Nuremberg Trials to the controversial visit to Bitburg, to provide a comprehensive understanding of how Germany's divided memory of Nazism has evolved. Herf's work stands as a testament to the enduring struggle over the legacy of the Nazi regime and offers essential insights into the relationship between history, memory, and identity in post-war Germany.