UPDATE: SECOND EDITION - WITH ADDED CONTENT!!
Through the years there are names that are forever imbedded in our brains when we think of the cruelty of the Nazi regime. Adolf Hitler. Hermann Goering. Adolf Eichmann. Joseph Mengele. Heinrich Himmler. Rarely do we come across the name of a woman who was responsible for the same types of depravities that these men indulged themselves in.
Irma Grese was one such woman. Know to some as a beauty, to the prisoners of her camp she was nothing short of a beast. Disowned by her own family, she embraced the Nazi doctrine to the fullest and revelled in the suffering of her charges.
What would inspire anyone to gain enjoyment from the suffering of others? Was she raised by monsters or did this monster have her own personal demons? What length did her depravity go?
Take a look into an aspect of the Nazi regime that is often overlooked, the life of a female guard and what lengths they went to in order to control their prisoners. The depth of their depravity is often shocking. Their wanton disregard of rules and the sanctity of life is appalling.
Why should you read about this then? We read these not to glorify their deeds but to learn from the past. By learning from the past, we can remember what we never want to happen again. This story gives a rare glimpse past the concentration camp walls and into the heart of true evil, all from the observation of a female guard.
Comments From Other Readers
"I'll be honest, I didn't pay much attention in my history class when it came to wars. They were over so why should I care? History is bound to repeat itself. In terms of war, that's generally with tragic results. While the war itself was brutal, these brave men highlighted in the book took on immeasurable odds to save the lives of those around them. Starting with a short history of the war, it runs into these amazing stories. I wish I had paid attention when I was younger, but I'm certainly paying attention now." - Hank (Montana, US)
"The heroics of men under the strain of war are something of a marvel. Any man that would willingly sacrifice himself for the life of another is to be commended. To do so repeatedly is heroic. Those that fight in any war for the freedom of others should all be considered heroic. There are some that stand out amongst the rest though. These are some of such stories from men who fought with valour in World War I. The author excels in his description of the history surrounding the war as well as his efforts in extoling the actions of these men. Truly a wonderful book." - Jacques (Montreal, Canada)
