Since its first publication in 1986, this book has become a classic of World War II literature. The revised edition includes a short history of Zegota, the underground government organization working to save the Jews, and an annotated listing of many Poles executed by the Germans for trying to shelter and save the Jews.

As Norman Davies concludes, the book "effectively puts to rest those most harmful stereotypes about 'Nazi murderers,' 'Jewish victims' and 'Polish bystanders.' In reality, the murderers were not just Nazis; the victims were not just Jews; and bystanding was one of the least representative of Polish wartime activities."