Operation Last Chance: One Man's Quest to Bring Nazi Criminals to Justice

A gripping account of one man’s efforts to locate and bring to justice the worst suspected Nazi criminals before it’s too late.

“A grim tale of one man’s dedication to a legal and moral cause and a shocking exposé of the widespread indifference and even antagonism that he has encountered. . . . A sobering, valuable resource for future historians.” —Kirkus Reviews

Sixty years after the end of World War II, not all those who were faithful to the Third Reich are dead—some members of the Nazi party and their collaborators are still alive, and increasingly difficult to track down. Time is rapidly running out, but Efraim Zuroff won’t give up. Launching Operation Last Chance in 2002, he spearheaded a vast public campaign to locate and bring to justice the worst suspected Nazi criminals before ill health or death spare them from potential punishment. Despite the passage of many years, the reluctance of many governments to cooperate, and even death threats and a price on his head, Zuroff’s project yielded the names of over 520 hereto unknown suspects in 24 different countries and led to dozens of murder investigations, as well as several indictments and extradition requests currently pending.

Combining the thrill of a detective story with the inherent poignancy of the history of World War II and its aftermath, Operation Last Chance delivers the important and moving story of one man’s heroic efforts to honor the victims of the Holocaust.

“An extraordinary read, providing a wealth of information about the role of collaborationist regimes in helping the Nazis and the degree to which most of the leaders of those units tasked with mass-murder went free in the West.” —The Jerusalem Post

“Part compelling detective story, part shocking history of the impunity of multiple mass murderers. . . . A powerful antidote.” —The Guardian (UK)

© 2024 St. Martin's Press (E-bog): 9780230101388

Release date

E-bog: 4. september 2024