A unique example of photographic detective work in which the famous battle is re-created almost as if it were a contemporary news event. The reader is transported to the battlefield by the photographs and through the analysis of the photographs to the battle itself. We watch it unfold; action by action. In meticulous close-up fashion; with documentary force; we see the terrible encounters of men at war.
#996975 in Books Vintage 2000-11-14 2000-11-14Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.00 x .48 x 5.90l; .54 #File Name: 0679758267208 pages
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Great history of such a sadBy TachiHaving visited this concentration camp; this book was a must have! Great history of such a sad reality1 of 3 people found the following review helpful. It doesn't get any better than this...By DavidI buy quite a few history books; because I can't imagine anything more interesting to read about. Unfortunatly; I don't read a few of them to the end; and the ones I do finish usually take months to plod through. I read "Last Survivor.." in two nights. A powerful work of many threads and lives; I was captured by Ryback's ability to tie in so many different characters into on seamless story. A terrific history lesson; should be required reading in every US High School.5 of 5 people found the following review helpful. elegant; compelling journalistic workBy A CustomerRyback does something I've never had the nerve to do--ask the residents of Dachau about their infamy. He writes beautifully--this is the work of a top drawer journalist--and yet unobtrusively. It reminds me of Krakauer's Into Thin Air. And like Krakauer; Ryback comes from magazine writing. A few years ago when magazines had more room for copy and less space was used on ads this might have appeared unabridged The New York Times Sunday Magazine or The Atlantic Monthly--as cover stories; of course. But now; with small hardback book bindery and clever formatting it suffices as a full-blown book. I read it in 2 hours. Still; it is compelling. As for Martin Zaidenstadt; I never saw him at Dachau any time I visited there (1981 onwards). He appears to indeed be a survivor of WWII and maybe of Dachau--but he also surely is a panhandler preying on the sympathies and guilt of Dachau visitors and (in my humble opinion!) the man is suffering from senile dementia.
