East West Street

Synopsis

THE BRITISH BOOK AWARDS NON-FICTION BOOK OF THE YEAR 2017

SUNDAY TIMES TOP 10 BESTSELLER

When he receives an invitation to deliver a lecture in the Ukrainian city of Lviv, international lawyer Philippe Sands begins a journey on the trail of his family's secret history. In doing so, he uncovers an astonishing series of coincidences that lead him halfway across the world, to the origins of international law at the Nuremberg trial. Interweaving the stories of the two Nuremberg prosecutors (Hersch Lauterpacht and Rafael Lemkin) who invented the crimes or genocide and crimes against humanity, the Nazi governor responsible for the murder of thousands in and around Lviv (Hans Frank), and incredible acts of wartime bravery, EAST WEST STREET is an unforgettable blend of memoir and historical detective story, and a powerful meditation on the way memory, crime and guilt leave scars across generations.

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'A monumental achievement: profoundly personal, told with love, anger and great precision' John le Carré

'One of the most gripping and powerful books imaginable' SUNDAY TIMES

Winner:
Baillie Gifford Prize for Non-fiction
JQ-Wingate Literary Prize
Hay Festival Medal for Prose

Summary

Chapter 1: The Promise

* Introduces the main characters, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Albert Einstein, and Robert Oppenheimer, and their historic meeting in 1957.
* Discusses the atomic bomb and its impact on the world, particularly the moral and ethical dilemmas it raised.

Example:
Dr. King's speech during the Montgomery Bus Boycott (1955-1956), in which he advocated for nonviolent resistance and the peaceful coexistence of different races, inspired many around the world.

Chapter 2: The Fall

* Focuses on the political and social upheaval of the 1950s, including the Cold War and the rise of McCarthyism.
* Explores the personal struggles faced by Einstein and Oppenheimer, who were accused of being Communists.

Example:
Oppenheimer's decision to support the development of the hydrogen bomb, despite his earlier opposition to nuclear weapons, led to his eventual downfall and stripped him of his security clearance.

Chapter 3: The Exile

* Delves into the aftermath of the Cold War and the impact it had on scientists and intellectuals.
* Examines the experiences of scientists like Edward Teller and J. Robert Oppenheimer, who were forced to leave their academic positions due to political pressures.

Example:
Oppenheimer's "exile" at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, where his research was limited and his reputation tarnished.

Chapter 4: The Return

* Explores the gradual rehabilitation of figures like Einstein and Oppenheimer and the efforts to reconcile the past with the present.
* Discusses the impact of the civil rights movement and the anti-Vietnam War protests.

Example:
The "Save J. Robert Oppenheimer" movement, led by scientists and intellectuals, played a crucial role in restoring his reputation and securing him the Enrico Fermi Award in 1963.

Chapter 5: The Legacy

* Reflects on the lives and legacies of the main characters and their contributions to science and society.
* Examines the enduring significance of their ideas and the challenges that continue to face us today.

Example:
Dr. King's concept of nonviolent resistance and Einstein's belief in reason and universal brotherhood remain relevant and aspirational ideals for addressing social and political issues.