An Eye for an Eye

An Eye for an Eye examines a controversial chapter of post-WWII history, focusing on events in Poland during 1945. The book investigates claims that Jewish survivors established and operated prison camps for German civilians after their liberation from Nazi concentration camps. Through research and interviews spanning multiple decades, author John Sack presents accounts of approximately 200,000 Germans who were imprisoned in these camps. His investigation centers on the actions of the Office of State Security in Poland and its treatment of German detainees in the immediate aftermath of World War II. The book faced significant debate upon its release, with some historians confirming Sack's core research while questioning specific details and numbers. Its publication sparked discussions about historical memory, accountability, and the complex dynamics of post-war justice. This work raises questions about the cycle of violence and retribution in wartime, challenging readers to confront uncomfortable truths about human nature and the aftermath of systematic persecution.

Readers note this book exposes a little-known chapter of post-WWII history regarding Jewish-run prison camps for Germans. Many found the investigative reporting thorough and appreciated Sack's neutral, journalistic approach to a sensitive topic. Positive reviews highlight the extensive research, interviews with survivors, and documentation of events that received minimal historical coverage. Several readers praised Sack's courage in publishing controversial findings despite pushback. Critics questioned the book's reliability and felt it potentially fueled antisemitism. Some readers found the writing style dry and the narrative structure confusing with too many character names to track. Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (89 ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (106 ratings) Notable reader comments: "Important history that needed to be told" - Amazon reviewer "Well-researched but hard to follow at times" - Goodreads reviewer "Could have used better organization of material" - Goodreads reviewer

Savage Continent: Europe in the Aftermath of World War II by Keith Lowe Chronicles the chaos, violence, and revenge killings across Europe after WWII, providing broader context for the events described in An Eye for an Eye.

Orderly and Humane: The Expulsion of the Germans after the Second World War by R. M. Douglas Documents the forced migration of ethnic Germans from Eastern Europe after WWII, examining another dimension of post-war retribution.

Year Zero: A History of 1945 by Ian Buruma Examines the immediate aftermath of WWII across multiple countries, focusing on the complex transitions from war to peace.

The Long Road Home: The Aftermath of the Second World War by Ben Shephard Details the displacement and resettlement of millions of people after WWII, including stories of revenge and reconciliation.

Legacy of Ashes: The History of the CIA by Tim Weiner Reveals post-WWII intelligence operations in Eastern Europe, including the recruitment of former Nazis and collaboration with war criminals.

✦ Author John Sack was one of America's most prominent literary journalists, known for his war reporting from Korea to Iraq over six decades for publications like Esquire and CBS News. ✦ The book's research involved over 500 interviews conducted across nine countries, including testimonies from both survivors and former camp personnel. ✦ The detention camps discussed in the book were primarily located in Silesia, a region that changed from German to Polish control after WWII, leading to massive population displacements. ✦ When first published in 1993, several major publishers refused to handle the book due to its controversial subject matter, leading to initial publication by a smaller press. ✦ The author, though Jewish himself, faced significant criticism and professional backlash for publishing this work, including cancelled speaking engagements and hostile academic reception.