In Jews and Christians in Denmark: From the Middle Ages to Recent Times, ca. 1100–1948, Martin Schwarz Lausten investigates how the Church and society followed the European antijudaistic tradition using insults, adversities and attempted conversions during Catholic times from around 1100 and Protestant times starting around 1536. In spite of the tolerant policies of integration initiated by the government beginning in the 1800’s, anti-Semitic movements arose among priests, professors and local authorities. However, during the German occupation (1940–1945) priests and many others assisted the 7,000 Danish Jews in their escape to Sweden. Based on Jewish and Christian sources, Jewish reactions to life in Denmark are also examined.

“German troops entered [Denmark, a] country of four and a half million persons on April 9, 1940, and three years passed before the purge against Danish Jews was begun. On the night of October 1, 1943, the Nazi boot kicked open doors in rooms largely empty. Only a fraction of the Danish Jews — 472 — were caught and sent to Theresienstadt Concentration Camp (where 53 of them died). The remaining 7,500 escaped — thanks to one German and several thousands of their countrymen. How? That was the question that puzzled the American journalist and television-writer, Harold Flender... He returned to Denmark for intensive research among rescuers and rescued and in archives. This book is the result... Flender brings out the risks and agonies, the drama and the heroism, in straight, professional reporting... [a] well-done work.” — Poul Lassen, The New York Times “One of the most exciting books about the frustration of the Nazis that has come out in a long time... a fabulous story.” — Wilmington News “A marvelous story...” — Chicago Tribune “As thrilling as it is uplifting.” — The Christian Science Monitor “Heartwarming story told in thrilling detail... should he read by everyone...” —Cleveland Plain Dealer “Inspiring and little-known story...” — Columbus Dispatch “Remarkable account of human courage and decency.” — The Denver Post “Powerful, heart-warming... one of the best and most starring stories out of the Nazi terror...” — Grand Junction Daily Sentinel “A graphic story of one of history’s greatest rescues.” — Hartford Times “Suspenseful... lifts the spirit... a rewarding book.” — Honolulu Star Bulletin & Advertiser “Simple, dramatic and moving... One of the most exciting and heartening [stories] to come out of the war.” — The London Observer “Impossible to stop reading... Everybody should read it.” — The London Spectator “An inspiring story of courage and good will...” — Library Journal “Remarkable... Effectively and comprehensively told...” — Los Angeles Times “A book that exceeds in fascination, as well as strangeness and truth, any current work of fiction.” — National Jewish Post & Opinion “Is stranger than fiction.” — Norfolk Virginian Pilot “Definitely should be read...” — Philadelphia Bulletin “Very moving and exciting...” — Publishers’ Weekly “Dramatic... well written account...” — Roanoke Times “Exciting and well documented...” — Sacramento Bee “Moving... true story of adventure and devotion...” — St. Petersburg Times “Easy to read and as exciting as any work of fiction...” — Yorkshire Evening Press (UK)

Based on never previously explored personal accounts and archival documentation, this book examines life and death in the Theresienstadt ghetto, seen through the eyes of the Jewish victims from Denmark. "How was it in Theresienstadt?" Thus asked Johan Grün rhetorically when he, in July 1945, published a short text about his experiences. The successful flight of the majority of Danish Jewry in October 1943 is a well-known episode of the Holocaust, but the experience of the 470 men, women, and children that were deported to the ghetto has seldom been the object of scholarly interest. Providing an overview of the Judenaktion in Denmark and the subsequent deportations, the book sheds light on the fate of those who were arrested. Through a micro-historical analysis of everyday life, it describes various aspects of social and daily life in proximity to death. In doing so, the volume illuminates the diversity of individual situations and conveys the deportees’ perceptions and striving for survival and ‘normality’. Offering a multi-perspective and international approach that places the case of Denmark into the broader Jewish experience during the Holocaust, this book is invaluable for researchers of Jewish studies, Holocaust and genocide studies, and the history of modern Denmark.