Schindler's List by Thomas Keneally

Schindler's List by Thomas Keneally - 397 pages

This book defies classification.  Why?  While considered fiction, it really isn't.  It's an excellent blending of fact and fiction in one book based on a collection of papers held by a Schindlerjuden (as the rescued Jews called themselves). Keneally's style in writing this book more closely resembles a traditional history book with long narratives and little dialogue.

As most may know from the Oscar-winning movie, Oskar Schnidler was a Czechoslovakian industrialist in World War II whom through his work managed to rescue over a thousand Jews from ultimate destruction by employing them at his factory in Plazkow, Poland.  Once he learned of the Final Solution's upcoming last big push, he managed to move his entire factory-workers and equipment-back to his native land where the Nazi's had slightly less influence.  However, that is not the full story.  The book covers what went on in the background to make these plans work, including collaborating with the Jewish Underground and how Schindler used his contacts to further his cause.  Also, we learn a bit more about the concentration camp commandant, Amon Goeth, and how Schindler "played" him.