I don't tend to read a lot of books about World War II, fiction or nonfiction, but I listened to this on audio as a part of my literary roundup challenge on StoryGraph since it was a Gifford Nonfiction Award finalist. I could not be more glad that I did. This is one of, if not the most important books I've ever read. It is unflinching in its descriptions, riveting in its storytelling, and an overall incredibly insightful look into the horrors of the Holocaust. Undoubtedly a hard read (or listen, which I did enjoy and would recommend). I can't believe I had never heard of Rudolf Vrba before reading this book, and I hope this gets out to as many people as possible.

Freedland does an incredible job of telling Vrba's story in a way that is both researched and informative while also being wildly readable. This book reads like fiction without the hyperbole or creative liberty. I felt ill while listening more often than not, but I would read this book and recommend it again and again.