Six Million Accusers: Catching Adolf Eichmann by D. Lawrence-Young
“Six Million Accusers” is a historical novel reliving the hunt for, and capture of one of history’s most evil criminals – a leading Nazi named Adolf Eichmann.
Having disappeared after WWII, members of an Israeli organization search the world for Eichmann, hoping to one day capture one of the men responsible for brutally massacring millions of Jews, and others. Following any tip possible, eventually they discover a Jewish father and daughter who swear Eichmann quietly lives in their community, under a new name. The search for Eichmann ramps up, and the agents begin to fervently believe they have found their man.
As they get closer and closer, a plan must also be created to capture Eichmann, and secretly transport the villain back to Israel. Is it really Eichmann? And if so, what complications may arise that might destroy their plans to have this notorious Nazi held responsible for his crimes?
“Six Million Accusers” is based on historic detail, and David Lawrence- Young does an excellent job reliving the hunt for, and capture of Adolf Eichmann. Well written and easy to read, “Six Million Accusers” should be a staple of the educational discussion of WWII and the aftermath. –Goodreads
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I really don’t feel like I’m going to do this book justice by writing a review, but at the same time, it deserves a review. I usually will not award five stars to a historical fiction. I am almost always disappointed in them, no matter how much research was done before the book was written. This is a case where this book would get more than five stars if I were able to give it.
Nazi War criminals have been on the telly a lot lately. Through old black and white films and descriptions and accounts written by those who survived the terror, we have learned quite a bit. Still, I feel like most of the time, we watch these things on the History Channel or in films and we seem to be removed from the reality. We see the images and we know that it is not fiction, but never feel like it could happen to us. Those who went through it do not touch us on a deep, emotional level most of the time. That is where this book comes in. If you want to see the lives of people who wanted retribution for these heinous crimes up close, this book will give you that.
Yes, this is a fictional account, but I guarantee you that once you begin reading, you will forget. A lot of meticulous research went into this book. A lot of man hours of studying and learning about what actually happened make this an extraordinary read. This author also has a knack for story telling and character creation. I broke down more than once during this book, which is a rarity for me.
Although Eichmann’s name is displayed prominently in the title, this book is actually more about the dedicated group of people who came together to bring him to justice. The novel doesn’t focus as much on his reign of terror as it does the years after and the search to satisfy “six million accusers.” I thought the way this was written made it feel very personal and easy to relate to. The author did an extremely good job of filling in the voids in Eichmann’s history and making it believable.
What I came away with after reading this novel, was a sense of just how much it took to take this man down. He may not have looked like much, bookish, what today we might call a geek. He may not have felt guilt nor remorse for his actions–he was doing as ordered, by his own admission, but I came away from this book with a sense of awareness. There is darkness in this world. There are evil people who commit senseless acts of violence and genocide. Yet, there are people who will work tirelessly to make this world a better place. I think this author not only understands that, but it one of the good ones.
I would encourage anyone who has an interest in this subject to read this book. I loved it.
This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher and provided through Netgalley. All opinions are my own.
14 responses to “Six Million Accusers: Catching Adolf Eichmann by D. Lawrence-Young”
Great review. Now I do want to read this book. Glad you wrote one.
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Thank you:) I was just thinking about you.
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I think of you often. Good thoughts. Hope you are recovering well. Lots thrown on your plate this year. {{{HUGS}}}
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I was thinking about you in this case because I’ve been refinishing an antique bookcase and your book is the crowning glory at the top.
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*blush*
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Fantastic review Ionia. Sounds like an amazing book and well worth a read. The subject matter interests me too so I may well check it out and add it to my ever-growing list of books to be read! 🙂
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Thank you! This book is haunting, but in the kind of way that makes you glad you took the time.
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I definitively want to read this. I love historic fiction when it is done well. Nazi Stories tend to upset me (I think it’s because of my age) but I still read them
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They are upsetting. I appreciated that this one didn’t focus as much on the actual atrocities as it did capture and trial of the man at the centre.
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As someone who was named after her cousin who died in Auschwitz with her 11 kids–it’s just not a topic that I tend to want to read about. But I enjoyed your review and I’m going to rethink that now. So thanks!
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Thank you so much, and what a powerful legacy to carry. Bless you.
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This is going near the top of my reading list. Thank you so much, I really enjoy reading your reviews and recommendations.
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Thank you:) made me blush
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About thirty years ago, my husband’s family held a reunion for all their relatives. They fit around a dining room table. Everyone else was lost in the holocaust. My children have lots of family history on my side, things passed down, old stories. They can go back to Ireland and see where their ancestors lived, see pictures and photos, and graves. On their father’s side, the story stops with his generation. The very town they lived in has a different name. They don’t know their ancestors’ names, where (if) they’re buried, what family stories were handed down. At the end of the war, there was simply nothing and nobody left. As Gabriel Garcia Marquez showed, sometimes the fictionalized story holds more truth than the official histories. Thank you so much for this review. I’ve just downloaded the book from Amazon, and while I can’t say I’m thrilled to read it, I can honestly say that I’m looking forward to it.
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