The extraordinary biography of a major twentieth century literary figure and scientist; an Auschwitz survivor who more than any other revealed the truth about Nazi genocide.Levi’s account of Auschwitz, If This Is a Man is now recognized as one of the essential books of mankind. No other work conveys the horror of the Nazi genocide more directly and profoundly. Ian Thomson spent over five years researching this book in Italy and elsewhere. His rich and fascinating biography draws on Fascist documents, police reports, autopsies and other archive material hitherto unknown. Vital information has been uncovered on the writer’s premature death, and this biography of Primo Levi is destined to become a classic.