Excellent work of History

I was fascinated by the range of interviewees in this book/recording. The range of views and reasons for people doing, and in some cases defending, amongst the worst crimes in human history really highlight how people can be swept up and then justify their actions. The recollections of people who suffered for no more than their views or the country they were born in are horrifying in cases. Some are clearly speaking so that they can absolve themselves in their latter years.
Well worth getting and listening to if you are interested in history as an archive in itself.

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not for the faint of heart, but good

Rees has here summed up war, from the perspective of it's victims (mainly citizens, also soldiers). For balance, he includes American sirmen in WW2 and British soldiers, though understandsbly his emphasis. is on Germans. Russians and Japanese.

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1 person found this helpful

Captivating

John Hopkins gives a fine reading of this book, managing to present the material as interviews. Rees has written a book that touches the darker side of human nature, and it’s very good.
I was hoping that the enclosed PDF files were pictures, but it’s not.
I’d recommend this book to anyone with an interest in the Darkest Hour of humanity, and in “regular “ people, who, due to circumstances discovered the darkest side of themselves.

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A hard read

The story is appropriately read. The tone is right for the subject matter. The stories are varied but all carry their own particular horror. And some are almost unlistenable.

I listened over several days and mixed in other books.

There are some stories I will follow up, in particular the British treatment of Russian and Yugoslav prisoners.

It was good to hear the voices of women and children telling their stories.

If I am left with one thought it is “judge ye not, let thee be judged”.

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6 people found this helpful

Difficult

This is a very difficult book imparts to listen to but it need to be heard. I’m truly shocked at some f the conversations which took place between the author and the interviewees.

Some showed no remorse for war crimes other should receive medals but have gone unnoticed and are forgotten.

This book is warts and all but it’s well worth a listen.

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Unrivalled story of the human condition

Brilliant narration and like a great book , unable to tear myself from its unfolding tragedies. It also gives an insight into current human behaviour! You

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Fascinating

A fantastic look into human beings failings and depth of character. Very thought provoking and at sometimes very upsetting. Felt I was left with a greater understanding of how people can allow themselves to become beasts and hopeless victims at the blink of an eye.

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4 people found this helpful

The evil of mankind

The stories and experiences are commonplace throughout human history. The author tries to apply a modern morality to a different time period. History must be viewed in context and for those who lived the horror, survival, rather than morality was the main driving force. Similar stories occur daily, in Africa and the Middle East, so it seems humanity has learned nothing. Author mentioned a USAF pilot who bombed the Japanese, slight error as USAF did not exist until 1947, two years after WW2 ended.
A good selection of stories and very moving personal accounts of survivors.

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1 person found this helpful

A fascinating book

This book had me gripped. It’s harrowing at times but hearing the war through those that were there is very important for anyone wanting to understand the period.

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Outstanding insight into dark side of us all

Brilliantly narrated, fascinating content which is powerful and thought provoking with insightful content that lingers in the mind. The content is bleak but the trade off is insight that is truly valuable with lessons past on from those who were truly’ tested’. For me those who criticise the book for a shallowness of perspective miss the brilliance of the narrative and the lessons on offer. I was impressed with the composition of the stories which demand multiple readings and I feel to have genuinely grown in wisdom by listening to the lives of those who lived through truly dark experiences. Brilliant and as relevant a book as any in our current times.

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