The Collaborators

Ian Buruma’s engaging account explores three complex figures—each associated with wartime actions that blur the line between heroism and villainy—delving into their ability to craft powerful myths amid the chaos of World War II. The book examines how truth, lies, and self-deception intertwine in times of crisis, demonstrating the difficulty of discerning real heroism from deception. Buruma offers a nuanced reconstruction of these enigmatic characters, revealing the enduring fascination with the stories we tell about history, morality, and survival.