Hanns and Rudolf

Hanns and Rudolf traces parallel lives during World War II: a German-Jewish refugee who became a British war crimes investigator, and Rudolf Höss, the Kommandant of Auschwitz. Author Thomas Harding reconstructs their paths through extensive research, documents, and interviews. The book alternates between the two men's stories, following Hanns Alexander's escape from Nazi Germany to Britain and his later role as a Nazi hunter, while simultaneously chronicling Höss's rise through the SS ranks to his position at Auschwitz. The narrative culminates in the investigation and pursuit of Höss after the war. This dual biography received widespread acclaim, becoming a Sunday Times bestseller and winning multiple awards including the Jewish Quarterly-Wingate Prize. The film rights have been optioned by Altitude Film Entertainment. Through these contrasting life stories, the book examines profound questions about justice, moral choice, and the nature of evil in seemingly ordinary people. The parallel structure highlights how two men from similar backgrounds made radically different choices during history's darkest chapter.

Readers appreciate the parallel storytelling structure that follows both Hanns Alexander and Rudolf Höss, making the history feel personal and immediate. Many note the detailed research and family connections that add authenticity. Readers highlight: - Clear, straightforward writing style - Balance between historical facts and narrative flow - Family photographs and documents - New perspective on a well-documented period Common criticisms: - Too much background information on minor characters - Some sections feel padded with unnecessary detail - Writing can be dry in places - Occasional repetition of facts Ratings: Goodreads: 4.2/5 (4,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (850+ ratings) Barnes & Noble: 4.3/5 (90+ ratings) "The personal connection made this account stand out from other WWII books," notes one Amazon reviewer. A Goodreads reviewer critiques: "The first third moves slowly with excessive family history before getting to the core story."

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🔍 Rudolf Höss introduced the use of Zyklon B gas at Auschwitz after determining it was the most "efficient" method of mass murder 🏛️ Hanns Alexander, the Jewish investigator, had never conducted a manhunt before tracking down Höss, yet managed to capture one of the war's most wanted criminals 📚 Author Thomas Harding discovered this remarkable story through his own family history - Hanns Alexander was his great-uncle 🏰 The final capture of Rudolf Höss took place at a farm in Gottrupel, where he was living under the alias Franz Lang while working as a farmhand 🗓️ The investigation and capture detailed in the book occurred in 1946, less than one year after the end of World War II, making it one of the earliest successful Nazi manhunts