Origins of Genocide and Crimes Against Humanity

I found this book to be an immense read not only because of my interest in history, but mainly of my maternal family connections. It has helped me to understand more about some of Polands complex history and current situation and the standing of Jews over the centuries. I will add to my knowledge when we fly into Warsaw next month

It would be easy to use a cliché, such as 'this book moved me', but the use of these words are not adequate and do not do any justice to either my feelings or the narrative of this book.

It is a history retold, with personal stories of many individuals and of his own journey in the discovery of his ancestors. Added to this is the horror that he discusses and the trail of two men from Lviv, in the east of Poland, and their journey west and finally to make a significant contribution to the War Crimes Trials in 1946 at Nuremberg. Herschel Lauterpatch and Rafael Lemkin, who were remarkable men and responsible for the inclusion of the terms 'crimes against humanity' and 'genocide' in the judgement.

The stories and the format are so well constructed that in many ways it is an easy read, but don't be fooled because there is attention to detail and the instances of pure horror are stark. Hans Frank, the butcher of Warsaw, who was condemned to death at his trial is a significant part of this book, but there is so much more included in it.

Written by Philippe Sands, a professor of law at University College, London and a practicing barrister and a frequent visitor to the International Criminal Court and World Court in The Hague writes with attention to detail and format as one would expect. It is also his personal journey of investigating a part of his family's past. The detail and effort is amazing.

The morning after I finished this book there was a news item showing two smiling happy faces. Both suffer from Down's Syndrome and if they had survived infancy during the 1930's they could have been two of Hitler's early victims. I think that moments like that rams home the horror.