73 pages • 2 hours read
Gitta SerenyInto That Darkness: An Examination of Conscience
Nonfiction | Biography | Adult | Published in 1974A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
Into That Darkness by Gitta Sereny is a biography of Franz Stangl, the commandant of the Treblinka extermination camp, drawn from interviews with him and others connected to Treblinka. Sereny investigates how Stangl, an intelligent and courteous man, rationalized his role in the Holocaust, revealing a portrait of a man who sacrificed his morals for ambition and confronted his guilt only at the end of his life. This book discusses acts of genocide, racial violence, and murder during the Holocaust.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Into That Darkness by Gitta Sereny delves into the life of Franz Stangl, offering a profound exploration of moral responsibility and human evil. Critics appreciate Sereny's rigorous investigation and empathetic narration. However, the dense subject matter and harrowing content can be emotionally taxing for readers. Overall, it’s compelling but challenging.
Who Should Read Into That Darkness?
A reader engaged by intense, morally complex historical narratives like The Destruction of the European Jews by Raul Hilberg or Ordinary Men by Christopher R. Browning would find Into That Darkness by Gitta Sereny compelling. It suits those interested in psychological explorations of dark history and the human condition.