of the living and dead"), accept bribes to place Jews on favorable lists, such as those employed at Schindler's factory. Schindler himself dislikes lists and paperwork, preferring to assign these tasks to his managers and secretaries while engaging in covert activities. However, ironically, it is by creating a list of workers that he ultimately rescues and saves them from labor camps and almost certain death. This list, which Dolek Horowitz describes as "a sweet chariot which might swing low," allows Schindler to save over 1,100 Jews from the meticulously organized German system designed to exterminate them.

The importance of witness testimony is often highlighted in discussions about the Holocaust. Survivors, who serve as witnesses, share their traumatic experiences to help ensure that such history is not repeated. Schindler's List is a story pieced together from the firsthand accounts of fifty Holocaust survivors. In the novel, many of these individuals are keenly aware of their responsibilities as witnesses. When Schindler observes the Aktion that devastates the Jewish ghetto, he feels the burden of being a witness. At that moment, he also understands that the SS officer's leniency toward the little girl in red indicates the Nazis' belief that all witnesses will be eradicated—that is, all Jews and their allies will be exterminated. Similarly, Poldek Pfefferberg, while moving among the dead after an Aktion, "sensed why he had been placed there. He believed unshakably in better years to come, years of just tribunals." For many Jews, the need to tell their stories and inform the world about the horrors they faced fueled their desire to survive. As one woman at the Auschwitz camp advises Clara Sternberg, who is considering using the electric fence to end her life, "Don't kill yourself on the fence, Clara. If you do that, you'll never know what happened to you."

Schindler's choices progress from relatively safe and self-serving to those that pose substantial risks to his own safety. Initially, his decision to relocate to Poland and manage a factory is motivated by personal gain. However, his later choice to employ Jewish slave labor seems driven more by compassion than greed. By the end of the war, Schindler is committed to rescuing as many people as he can, putting his own life at risk. His efforts inspire other businessmen in Cracow to enhance the conditions for the Jewish workers they employ. In Brinnlitz, he deliberately avoids manufacturing the ammunition he is contracted to produce, stating, "none of my shells will kill anyone." He takes pride in the fact that none of his munitions pass any tests.

A pivotal decision Schindler makes is to create the Emalia camp, providing barracks for his factory workers. This allows them to reside outside the Plaszow camp, where Schindler can offer them food and clothing, ensuring a measure of safety. The Emalia camp is patrolled by SS and Ukrainian guards who change shifts every two days, remaining outside the perimeter. Inside, there are no dogs or beatings, and the food quality surpasses that of Plaszow. Despite the obligation to meet government contracts, leading to long work hours, Schindler provides the camp with additional food and clothing at his own expense. At the war's conclusion, he submits a bill for $360,000 to the Joint Distribution Committee for the Jews, detailing the costs he incurred.

Oskar Schindler is not the only one making difficult personal decisions. Itzhak Stern, a Polish Jewish accountant, makes his first crucial decision during his initial conversation with Schindler. In this dialogue, Stern shares his belief that Hitler’s regime will ultimately fail. This conversation takes place just seven weeks after Poland's occupation, yet Stern is already acutely aware of the looming threat. Jews are required to wear yellow Star of David badges, and German soldiers are confiscating goods from shops indiscriminately. The governor's decrees are giving Jews a glimpse of the impending horrors. Later, Stern persuades Schindler to employ various Jewish individuals, eventually joining Schindler's workforce himself to help reunite the families of the men working for Schindler.

Other individuals also make commendable personal decisions. Leopold (Poldek) Pfefferberg chooses to trust Schindler, acting as his agent for black market transactions. Dr. Blau decides to stay with her bedridden patients during the ghetto evacuation, a choice both courageous and tragic. Drs. B and H resolve not to take their own lives but instead to euthanize their terminally ill patients, sparing them from falling into the hands of the SS.

The end of World War II signifies the triumph of good over evil. Schindler realizes that the Jews he helped are now determined to protect him. They grasp the importance of defending Schindler, who displayed his Nazi Party badge during the war. Without their support, who would see him as a hero? In gratitude for his efforts, the Jewish community vows to look after Schindler and his wife Emilie for the remainder of their lives.

Under the Nazi regime, the dynamic between Jews, other groups marked for annihilation, and the broader society was starkly defined by a master-slave relationship. Adherents of the "master race" ideology felt empowered to impose their will on those they sought to exploit and ultimately destroy, as moral and legal constraints were entirely absent. Systems of checks and balances, fair laws, and acceptance of diversity were systematically dismantled with the government's endorsement. This oppressive environment created widespread fear, as no one could be certain of their safety amidst the constant upheavals.

Toward the end of the war, Goeth was arrested not for his widespread killings but for attempting to amass wealth through the black market. He managed to secure his release from prison and resurfaced in Brinnlitz, where he aimed to become the commandant of the camp Schindler had set up to protect his Jewish workers.

Keneally explores the theme of individual influence for good or evil by scrutinizing the motives and actions of Schindler and Goeth. He carefully grounds his analysis in the available evidence, steering clear of any exaggeration of their characters. No embellishment is needed. Without Keneally's embellishment, both figures already appear larger than life. They each represent the decisions made by many, whether on a minor or major scale. The facts and the memories of those who experienced these events and knew both men confirm their important roles in history.