Priest, Politician, Collaborator

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In Priest, Politician, Collaborator, James Mace Ward presents the first comprehensive English-language biography of Jozef Tiso (1887-1947), the Catholic priest and Slovak nationalist who became the first president of an independent Slovakia, a Nazi satellite. Tiso was ultimately executed for treason and crimes against humanity by postwar Czechoslovakia. Ward's extensive archival research reveals Tiso as a devoutly religious figure who prioritized the Slovak state over other concerns, contributing to the destruction of Slovak Jewry. However, Ward avoids reducing Tiso to mere opportunism, depicting him as a principled individual and a victim of international circumstances. This complex character, combined with a remarkable ability to deny the consequences of his actions, led to his downfall. Tiso began his career as a priest advocating for social justice within Hungary, but after the 1918 breakup of Austria-Hungary, his mission evolved into a Slovak nationalist agenda. Ward argues that Tiso bears significant responsibility for the Holocaust, linking his collaboration to the brutal politics of Hitler's Europe. Tiso's legacy remains divisive in Slovakia, complicating the nation’s reconciliation with its history. This biography not only sheds light on Tiso's life but also offers insights into the broader context of interwar and wartime Europe.