The Waldheim affair

By Harold H. Tittmann

Subjects: War crimes, History, Atrocities, Affa˜re, Massenmedien, World War, 1939-1945, Politics and government, Berichterstattung, Fascism, Political culture, World War (1939-1945) fast (OCoLC)fst01180924, Austria

Description: "In 1986 allegations began to appear in the American media that Kurt Waldheim, former Secretary General of the United Nations and candidate for President of Austria, had a hidden Nazi past and had been complicit in war crimes in WWII. An alleged "cover-up" made immediate sensational headlines in all major media including The New York Times, and The Washington Post.". "Spearheaded primarily by the World Jewish Congress, accusations by innuendo and speculation about war crimes prevailed amidst outrage or recalled Nazi horrors. The Office of Special Investigations of the US Justice Department claimed to have irrefutable proof of Waldheim's guilt.". "Harold Tittmann shines the cool light of logic and reason on the Waldheim affair in contrast to the supposition and heated rhetoric used to precipitate it. Tittmann analyzes the campaign against Waldheim and the role of the media. He examines the validity of each allegation and makes a compelling case that the charges were groundless. This raises the issue of false perceptions broadcast in free societies, and challenges the American nation, and the world, to rethink Kurt Waldheim's place in history."--BOOK JACKET.