This book offers a complete translation of the original work titled "Golem: metla ?ech?...: rozklad ?eskeho nacionalismu," published in the Czech language in 1942. The author's original essay, "Golem...Geissel der Tschechen, die Zersetzung des Tschechischen Nationalismus," was originally written in German.
While different translations of the title exist, such as "The Plague of the Czechs" or "The Scourge of the Czechs," the most common and chosen translation of "The Broom of the Czechs" metaphorically represents, in this case, the act of sweeping or cleaning, symbolizing the critical examination of Czech nationalism and its decline.
This book provides a comprehensive analysis of the historical and social factors that contributed to the weakening and decline of Czech nationalism. It offers valuable insights into the complex dynamics and challenges faced by the Czech nation as it grappled with its political landscape and the quest for a cohesive national identity.
It is important to understand the context in which this book was written. The author, Walter Jacobi, was a German lawyer and SS officer directly involved in the Nazi regime. The book strongly reflects his biased perspective, including anti-Semitic and anti-Freemason sentiment, which the translator and publisher strongly reject and do not endorse.
However, this book delves into various historical themes, including the role of Freemasonry in Czech nationalism, the significance of historical events related to organizations like Sokol and the Olympics, and the contributions of notable individuals such as Jan Masaryk, Dr. Jan Kapras, and Alphonse Mucha. By exploring these diverse subjects, the book enriches our understanding of Czech history and provides nuanced insights into the factors that influenced the decline of Czechoslovak nationalism.
The original publication received mandatory reviews from all Czech newspapers under Nazi control, and they were instructed to praise it as a "literary masterpiece". However, it is important to approach the content critically and recognize the potential propaganda and manipulation involved.
For the first time, this rare book is now available in English, offering readers the chance to explore a significant aspect of Czech history. It provides insights into the historical context and events of the time. However, it is essential to approach the book with sensitivity and a strong stance against discrimination. It is important to emphasize that this translation does not endorse or support the views of its author, who was known for his service at the headquarters of the Sicherheitsdienst in Prague during the Second World War. For his crimes, Walter Jacobi was a war criminal and was executed in Prague on May 3, 1947.
This translation aims to provide access to historical information regarding the Czech nation while promoting understanding and rejecting any form of discrimination.
