If you want a book that provides a powerful, gut-punching account of WWII, The Pianist is it. Wladyslaw Szpilman was an amazing man for writing this and sharing it with humanity. His story, one of luck and perseverance, is touching and amazing.

My favourite aspect of the book is the side-story of Wilm Hosenfeld, the German Captain who saved his life. That man is my hero- he lived out heroism everyday through his conviction in God and morality over the Nazi machine.