The search for Major Plagge

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On April 11, 2005, Karl Plagge was honored as a "Righteous Among the Nations" by Israel, joining Oskar Schindler and others who saved Jews during the Holocaust. Plagge's story reveals the courage of a German army officer who defied the Nazi regime to save around 250 Jews in Vilna, Lithuania, including Michael Good's mother. Inspired by her tales of the mysterious officer, Good dedicated five years to uncovering Plagge's story, writing countless letters and researching online for evidence of the man whose moral choices saved lives. This compelling narrative is the first comprehensive portrait of a man who chose to resist the oppressive system. Through interviews with survivors, access to long-hidden German files, and translations of newly found letters, Good crafts an extraordinary account. An engineer from Darmstadt, Plagge initially joined the Nazi Party but later distanced himself. In Vilna, he oversaw a labor camp where he repeatedly saved Jews from death by issuing work permits that deemed them essential to the war effort. Despite his actions, Plagge viewed himself as no hero, believing he merely fulfilled his duty. The book underscores the various ways individuals can resist evil, echoing Pearl Good's sentiment about the man who chose to stand against horror.