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73 pages 2 hours read

Into That Darkness: An Examination of Conscience

Nonfiction | Biography | Adult | Published in 1974

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Book Brief

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Gitta Sereny

Into That Darkness

Nonfiction | Biography | Adult | Published in 1974
Book Details
Pages

400

Format

Biography • Nonfiction

Setting

Nazi Germany • 1940s

Publication Year

1974

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

Into That Darkness by Gitta Sereny is a biography of Franz Stangl, the commandant of the Treblinka extermination camp, drawn from interviews with him and others connected to Treblinka. Sereny investigates how Stangl, an intelligent and courteous man, rationalized his role in the Holocaust, revealing a portrait of a man who sacrificed his morals for ambition and confronted his guilt only at the end of his life. This book discusses acts of genocide, racial violence, and murder during the Holocaust.

Dark

Mysterious

Challenging

Unnerving

Contemplative

Reviews & Readership

4.4

3,058 ratings

85%

Loved it

11%

Mixed feelings

4%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Into That Darkness by Gitta Sereny delves into the life of Franz Stangl, offering a profound exploration of moral responsibility and human evil. Critics appreciate Sereny's rigorous investigation and empathetic narration. However, the dense subject matter and harrowing content can be emotionally taxing for readers. Overall, it’s compelling but challenging.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Into That Darkness?

A reader engaged by intense, morally complex historical narratives like The Destruction of the European Jews by Raul Hilberg or Ordinary Men by Christopher R. Browning would find Into That Darkness by Gitta Sereny compelling. It suits those interested in psychological explorations of dark history and the human condition.

4.4

3,058 ratings

85%

Loved it

11%

Mixed feelings

4%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

400

Format

Biography • Nonfiction

Setting

Nazi Germany • 1940s

Publication Year

1974

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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