Having rarely been someone who gains pleasure in reading, and someone whose interest in history was killed at an early age, I saw this book ata friend's house. After a few mins I was hooked and had to go and buy it.It has a fantastic balance of drama and fact, using excellent first-hand witness accounts. It is extremely well written and I was never bored. A meaty book which has left me wanting to find out more and has given me confidence in Rees's other books-which I am lining up!I have absolutely no criticisms of this book-apart from the fact that it finished. It has made my summer. I even welcomed the rain on holiday as it meant more time for reading in our tent!If you know very little or lots about WW2-either way you can really enjoy this.

Using eyewitness accounts from both SS guards and inmates alike, the history of Auschwitz is tracked from its creation to its eventual demise. Information that is seldom known about the camp is used to give a glimpse into the daily life of the most notorious concentration camp of WWII The BBC series encapsulates the chapters very well and is worth seeing if just to see the people whi gave the personal interviews and insights.