Author, Dr. Walter Rinderle , explored the Holocaust’s horrors and the quiet bravery of those who resisted at a discussion hosted by the Knox County Public Library on Wednesday night.

Dr. Rinderle’s discussion was titled “Ordinary Heroes” and centered on the role of ordinary people who risked their lives to save Jews from the Nazis. His talk covered major concentration camps as well as revenge killings that continued even after the war ended. He examined who Adolf Hitler was and why many Jews did not resist more, discussing the challenges they faced and the extreme consequences of defiance.

Rinderle also highlighted stories of survival, including how some Jews disguised themselves as Swiss guards to avoid capture. Despite these efforts, many were still caught, leading to the deaths of entire families. He emphasized the actions of priests, pastors, and nuns who helped hide Jewish children and others fleeing persecution.

His latest work, World Civilization, covers the Nazis but also history from the year 1500 to the present.

“Just this period in the Holocaust history, I read over 500 books and in several languages, including German and French. And so I learned so much.” he said.   Rinderle says it’s impossible to distill all of that history into a one hour talk. ”  But I just would like to encourage people. To be thankful for all the heroes that went before us and learn something about how mean we are to other people.”

Another event concerning the Holocaust is coming to Vincennes next month as an exhibition titled Americans and the Holocaust examines the motives, pressures, and fears that shaped Americans’ responses to Nazism, war, and genocide. The opening reception is March 25th at 6 p.m. at the Shake Library on the Vincennes University campus.