The Betrayal of Anne Frank: A Cold Case Investigation

The Betrayal of Anne Frank: A Cold Case Investigation

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  • Create Date:2022-03-24 07:55:17
  • Update Date:2025-09-06
  • Status:finish
  • Author:Rosemary Sullivan
  • ISBN:0008353840
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Summary

Using new technology, recently discovered documents and sophisticated investigative techniques, an international team—led by an obsessed former FBI agent—has finally solved the mystery that has haunted generations since World War II: Who betrayed Anne Frank and her family? And why? The Betrayal of Anne Frank: A Cold Case Investigation is the team’s riveting story。

Over thirty million people have read The Diary of a Young Girl, the journal kept by the teenaged Anne Frank while living in an attic with her family in Amsterdam during World War II, until they were sent to their deaths by the Nazis。 But despite the many works—journalism, biographies, plays and novels—devoted to Anne’s story, none has conclusively explained how the Franks and four other people managed to hide undetected for over two years, and who or what finally brought the Nazis to their door。

With painstaking care, former FBI agent Vincent Pankoke and a team of indefatigable investigators pored over tens of thousands of pages of documents—some never before seen—and interviewed scores of descendants of the people involved, both Nazi sympathizers and resisters, who were familiar with the Franks。 Utilizing methods developed by the FBI, the cold case team painstakingly pieced together the months leading up to the Franks’ arrest—and came to a shocking conclusion。

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Reviews

Anna Ros

This book was taken off the market by its Dutch publisher after a devastating report proved large parts of the contents and conclusion false and manipulated by the cold case research team。This book puts falsehoods as facts and distorts the truth about the fate of the Frank family at the end of WW2 in Amsterdam, Netherlands。 The book wrongly points at a Jewish notary as the one who betrayed the family。 There is no proof whatsoever in the book which is credible and there is lots of proof that both This book was taken off the market by its Dutch publisher after a devastating report proved large parts of the contents and conclusion false and manipulated by the cold case research team。This book puts falsehoods as facts and distorts the truth about the fate of the Frank family at the end of WW2 in Amsterdam, Netherlands。 The book wrongly points at a Jewish notary as the one who betrayed the family。 There is no proof whatsoever in the book which is credible and there is lots of proof that both and conclusions are false。 The book is - by way it portrays the accused by the authors - in an anti-semitic manner; it is therefore by its nature an anti-semitic book and should be banned。 。。。more

Carole

This is a very detailed report on the findings of the cold case investigation into who betrayed the Frank family when they were hiding in Amsterdam during WWII。 It's pretty amazing that they were able to find so much additional information after so many years had passed。 What a tragic story。 This is a very detailed report on the findings of the cold case investigation into who betrayed the Frank family when they were hiding in Amsterdam during WWII。 It's pretty amazing that they were able to find so much additional information after so many years had passed。 What a tragic story。 。。。more

Alison Fleming

The subject matter is, of course, very interesting。 But it’s written like a high school book report which makes it a bit of a challenge to rest through

Maryann Fox

On August 4, 1944 Otto Frank & his family were arrested after the police received an anonymous phone call informing them of Jewish people hiding in the annex of the building that housed the spice company Otto Frank owned ( before Jewish people were not permitted to own businesses) 。The had hid for 2 years and 1 month。In 1941 Otto Frank tried to obtain exit visas for his family after previous attempts by other family members failed。In 1942 his last effort was appealed to the Emigration Services o On August 4, 1944 Otto Frank & his family were arrested after the police received an anonymous phone call informing them of Jewish people hiding in the annex of the building that housed the spice company Otto Frank owned ( before Jewish people were not permitted to own businesses) 。The had hid for 2 years and 1 month。In 1941 Otto Frank tried to obtain exit visas for his family after previous attempts by other family members failed。In 1942 his last effort was appealed to the Emigration Services of the Amsterdam Jewish Council requesting exit visas, however the forms were never sent。Otto Frank had been thinking of going into hiding as early as December of 1940。The family went into hiding on July 6, 1942 afer a work compulsory order for Margot was received。Everyone they knew was led to believe they had escaped to Switzerland。In early 1944 rumors among employees suggested Jews were hiding in the building but the information was kept from he Franks as it would be difficult to smuggle 8 people out of the building。The police noticed marks on the floor from the bookcase hiding the entrance to the annex。The Franks were to be deported to a work camp but they knew they wouldn't remain there :they knew of transported to Auschwitz on September 3, 1944 on the last transport to leave the work camp: Camp Westerbork。。He was informed by a fellow prisoner that Anne & Margot were transported to Bergen Belsen on October 30 1944 and his wife was left behind at Auschwitz where she died of starvation on January 6 1945。On June 3 1945 he returned to Amsterdam and the next day he returned to the annex。Anne died of typhus in February 1945 and Margot died sometime before her。In July 1945 he received a letter from the Red Cross informing him of Anne & Margot's deaths。Anne's diary was published on June 10 1947 。In 1953 Otto moved to Basel,Switzerland to be with family members。 He died in 1980。In 2017 the cold case was formed to determine who betrayed the family。It has never conclusively been proven who betrayed them。Otto Frank survived Auscwhitz because he was in the camp hospital when it was evacuated 。。。more

Ron Popp

Speculative garbage。So much extemporaneous info。 At one point it felt like they were listing everyone in Amsterdam to explain why they couldn’t be the betrayer。 If you’re gonna make a bold proclamation that you solved a mystery, you’d better have the goods to back it up。 The authors don’t

David Allen White

A mystery, not necessarily solved, but at least a probability revealed。

Deena Lipomi

A retired FBI agent and a cast of investigators spend almost ten years collecting evidence, researching potential suspects, and trying to find out the name of the person or people who told the Nazis the hiding place of Anne Frank's family of four and their four friends during the Holocaust。 While by the end there is a good guess as to how the hiding place was discovered, there is also a lot of other information about The Netherlands during the Nazi occupation that readers may learn。 More informa A retired FBI agent and a cast of investigators spend almost ten years collecting evidence, researching potential suspects, and trying to find out the name of the person or people who told the Nazis the hiding place of Anne Frank's family of four and their four friends during the Holocaust。 While by the end there is a good guess as to how the hiding place was discovered, there is also a lot of other information about The Netherlands during the Nazi occupation that readers may learn。 More information about Otto Frank's life before, during, and after the war is given, which leads to a bigger picture the Frank family and more sympathy, empathy, horror, and sadness for them。 。。。more

Aradhana Mathews

What a truly sobering read。 The diary of Anne Frank was heart breaking, but the rest of the story is even worse。 The first part of this book talks about things the diary does not: the desperation of other Jews as they struggled to find shelter for their families, the deep network of informants dedicated to ‘hunting’ Jews for bounty (either through spies or by pretending to be a hiding space and creating a ‘Jew trap’), the incredibly difficult decisions Anne’s father, Otto Frank had to make and t What a truly sobering read。 The diary of Anne Frank was heart breaking, but the rest of the story is even worse。 The first part of this book talks about things the diary does not: the desperation of other Jews as they struggled to find shelter for their families, the deep network of informants dedicated to ‘hunting’ Jews for bounty (either through spies or by pretending to be a hiding space and creating a ‘Jew trap’), the incredibly difficult decisions Anne’s father, Otto Frank had to make and the consequences he had to live with, what happened after Anne’s family was caught by the Nazis, and the sheer evil that attacked the Jews, dehumanising them, turning them against each other, and using their own money to fund their persecution。 The second part of the book focuses on a previously long-term cold case: who betrayed Anne Frank? This book documents the five-year search for the truth and the startling discoveries made along the way。 Overall, this was a very compelling read, though very emotionally heavy – it will leave you stunned at the depths humanity can sink to, but also acts as a powerful warning that we must never allow such a world to exist again。 。。。more

Darcie R

Not going to lie, this was a hard one to get through, and I’m not really sure how I feel about it overall。 I’ll start with what I liked。 I enjoyed the first half of the book which gave a run down of the series of events which led up to the Frank family going into hiding, as well as more details about what went on while they were in hiding。 This section was very interesting to me, since it was my first time really learning about the people that helped the Franks, as well as what Otto Frank dealt Not going to lie, this was a hard one to get through, and I’m not really sure how I feel about it overall。 I’ll start with what I liked。 I enjoyed the first half of the book which gave a run down of the series of events which led up to the Frank family going into hiding, as well as more details about what went on while they were in hiding。 This section was very interesting to me, since it was my first time really learning about the people that helped the Franks, as well as what Otto Frank dealt with after returning home。 The second half… not my cup of tea。 I felt like this section could have been more condensed。 There were a lot of details that were provided, that really just weren’t important or necessary。 I appreciated the breakdown of each theory of who was suspected to be the betrayer, however I think it overall just fell flat。 My biggest issue with this book was the way it was written。 To me, it felt like it was written with the intention of being a Netflix documentary series, not a book。 I found that to be a bit distracting, and was probably why I couldn’t get into the second half。 Overall, I did learn some facts about the Franks and their experience, but as to who the betrayer was suspected to be… still not completely convinced。 。。。more

Amélie

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers。 To view it, click here。 The following are thoughts that came up while reading this book。 I feel like trying to make a coherent review will be tricky as my thoughts are all over the place。(view spoiler)[- I found it interesting that there are actually three versions of Anne Frank’s diary (I don’t recall being told about this before):1) the original journal。2) Anne’s rewriting of the diary in her last months before the raid on the Annex。 (In a broadcast Radio Oranje on March 28, 1944, the Dutch minister of education, art The following are thoughts that came up while reading this book。 I feel like trying to make a coherent review will be tricky as my thoughts are all over the place。(view spoiler)[- I found it interesting that there are actually three versions of Anne Frank’s diary (I don’t recall being told about this before):1) the original journal。2) Anne’s rewriting of the diary in her last months before the raid on the Annex。 (In a broadcast Radio Oranje on March 28, 1944, the Dutch minister of education, art, and science advised people to preserve their diaries so that there would be a chronicle of what the nation had gone through and survived)。 Anne rewrote her diary with the ambition of having it published。3) The rewritten diary with adjustments by (or under supervision of) Otto Frank。 This is the version that has been published all over the world。- There’s a lot of info dumping/history review that is useful to someone who isn’t familiar with that time frame。 That said, if you’re already familiar, then it’s kind of a waste of time。 - I know investigators/the author are trying to set everything up for us, but it takes a while before they actually get to the investigation。 I don’t think I like this type of cold case layout/presentation。 - The investigation doesn’t really start until chapter 17。- There are many problems that the investigators encounter, and it’s a wonder that they’re able to pinpoint who betrayed the Frank family。 Throughout several chapters, it’s mentioned how they encounter the following: a dead end, contradictions, people who continuously change their story, rumours, and documents that are either incomplete/missing/destroyed。 With certain people, there are time frames where they are unaccounted for, and there are no documents or eye witnesses to fill in that information。 It’s hard to get straight answers, as most of the people involved are dead。- At times, I found Otto suspicious with some of the things that he would do/not do。 Ex: protecting the man who lead the raid of the Annex。 Why? We get speculations, but。。。- Apparently Otto and Miep already knew who the betrayer was。 The team comes up with many speculations, but ultimately, why didn’t Otto or Miep say anything? Why was Otto hiding so many secrets?- In the end, investigators “prove without a doubt” that Van den Bergh is the betrayer。 They thought he did it to save his family - he gave a list of addresses, but never knew who actually lived there。 *Rant moment* Assuming Van den Bergh did it, can you really call it a betrayal since he didn't know who was living at these addresses? He didn't really know Otto, and didn't know that his family were the ones hiding in the Annex。 I think it's the use of "betrayal" that confuses me。 *rant over* Honestly, I believe that Van den Bergh is a likely suspect, but the evidence is a bit weak。 (hide spoiler)]Sadly disappointed with this one。 。。。more

Jennifer

Interesting but controversial。 I have no idea if the conclusions reached are possible or not。

Frau Ott

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers。 To view it, click here。 I thoroughly enjoyed reading this record of those who have wondered about the people involved in the Anne Frank story。 While most of the people included in this reading have died, one can only use what facts and records that exist to determine the outcome of the story。 I learned much about the records that the Dutch and Germans kept, including receipts of those who were payed for turning in the Jews。 I found it somewhat difficult to remember names, and am grateful for my German language backgrou I thoroughly enjoyed reading this record of those who have wondered about the people involved in the Anne Frank story。 While most of the people included in this reading have died, one can only use what facts and records that exist to determine the outcome of the story。 I learned much about the records that the Dutch and Germans kept, including receipts of those who were payed for turning in the Jews。 I found it somewhat difficult to remember names, and am grateful for my German language background。 。。。more

Christine

As of lover of learning all things WWII this book was one I wanted to read since it was published just 3 months ago。 Many will know the story of Anne Frank, but what this book delves into is who betrayed her and her family by telling the authorities that they were hiding in the Annex。 They put together a team of investigators, historians, a retired FBI agent, and more that searched the world for evidence and research! It was interesting seeing step-by-step how they investigated each theory and w As of lover of learning all things WWII this book was one I wanted to read since it was published just 3 months ago。 Many will know the story of Anne Frank, but what this book delves into is who betrayed her and her family by telling the authorities that they were hiding in the Annex。 They put together a team of investigators, historians, a retired FBI agent, and more that searched the world for evidence and research! It was interesting seeing step-by-step how they investigated each theory and why they eliminated them。 It was even more interesting that they presented evidence that Otto Frank seemed to know who betrayed his family, but he never revealed it。 “This is not so much a case unsolved as a secret well kept。" 。。。more

Debbie

An interesting investigation that takes the reader along on the journey of who betrayed Anne Frank。 It is rich in detail and setting with lots of work put into the story。 I've read the Anne Frank diary a few times when I was younger and this book really made me think back on that time and realize how it wad all real life。 It is so unbelievably sad to know what happened after the diary entries。 However, this is reality and the more we discuss it and read about it, the more everyone will remember An interesting investigation that takes the reader along on the journey of who betrayed Anne Frank。 It is rich in detail and setting with lots of work put into the story。 I've read the Anne Frank diary a few times when I was younger and this book really made me think back on that time and realize how it wad all real life。 It is so unbelievably sad to know what happened after the diary entries。 However, this is reality and the more we discuss it and read about it, the more everyone will remember the holocaust。 。。。more

Danyelle

I really enjoyed this books and it opened my eyes to all the people were involved with the secret annex。

Kelly Anderson Holiday

Just when I thought I had exhausted a topic, this book crossed my path。 An excellent read, lots of previously unknown details and heartbreaking on many levels。 Definitely hard to put down!

Therese Thompson

…。“Though it does produce heroes, war is never the best context to hone one’s conscious。” I was very affected by this report on the cold case investigation on who may have possibly revealed location of where the Frank and Van Pels families and Fritz Pfeffer hid in the secret annex of Mr。 Frank’s warehouse for 25 months, attempting to elude capture by the Germans。 It was an exercise in keeping in mind that mankind is completely capable of committing atrocities。 It’s also a reminder of how good an …。“Though it does produce heroes, war is never the best context to hone one’s conscious。” I was very affected by this report on the cold case investigation on who may have possibly revealed location of where the Frank and Van Pels families and Fritz Pfeffer hid in the secret annex of Mr。 Frank’s warehouse for 25 months, attempting to elude capture by the Germans。 It was an exercise in keeping in mind that mankind is completely capable of committing atrocities。 It’s also a reminder of how good and brave people can be in the face of grave risk。 This was a absorbing look at an exhaustive investigation。 I’m aware that there’s controversy over the conclusions of this cold case team。 Regardless, there is so much value in their work that has been turned over to the Dutch government that may help families who lost loved ones during the Nazi Holocaust。……。 。。。more

Tracy Greer- Hansen

3。5 stars This was a heavy history book which is full of names and dates。 I found it hard to follow at times as it was a bit convoluted which let me to be distracted。 Nevertheless, I did enjoy the book in certain areas and I have always found this story fascinating。 Certain facts I did not know was that the Netherlands actually was the one place not to be if you were Jewish during the war。 The mortality rate was unbelievably high and you wouldn’t expect that from a “forward thinking” country。 In 3。5 stars This was a heavy history book which is full of names and dates。 I found it hard to follow at times as it was a bit convoluted which let me to be distracted。 Nevertheless, I did enjoy the book in certain areas and I have always found this story fascinating。 Certain facts I did not know was that the Netherlands actually was the one place not to be if you were Jewish during the war。 The mortality rate was unbelievably high and you wouldn’t expect that from a “forward thinking” country。 In regards to whom they think betrayed the family, I am not sure we will ever know for sure but as the book points out it was to keep their own family safe, as expected。 I have only been in Schiphol airport but one would like to take the time to see Prinsengracht 263 for myself one day。 Recommend this book but be prepared to take your time to allow it to fully sink in。 。。。more

Dorothy Young

A very interesting cold case!

Sandy Rechtsteiner

Excellent book。 Discussed the researchers thorough review of all the interviews, document search and databases used to determine who they believed betrayed Anne Frank and her family。

Emily Hennessey

This was striking, interesting, but terribly sad。 What a horrible position so many were put in。

Laura Valenziano

An In-depth investigation to discover who betrayed the Frank Family leading to the deaths' of all except Otto Frank, Anne Frank's father。 The book explains the modern technology and the families of suspects that helped them come to their conclusion。 An In-depth investigation to discover who betrayed the Frank Family leading to the deaths' of all except Otto Frank, Anne Frank's father。 The book explains the modern technology and the families of suspects that helped them come to their conclusion。 。。。more

Ashleigh

This was a really interesting book。 I did find the first half more interesting than the second half。

Dianna Garms

So much information to take in! This is a fascinating account of the Frank family ordeal, as well as others trying to survive some of the horrific holocaust events taking place in Amsterdam。

Julia

I am in awe of the detailed research that went into compiling this report on the cold case of who betrayed the Frank family, to the Nazi's。 They had been hiding in the annex of Auto Frank's business for 25 months, before being caught。 It just once again reminded me of how very awful life for the Jews was during WWII and the fear of being caught just as frightful as being shipped off to the camps。I admit I got lost a bit with all the names and associations, so was not completely engaged in the bo I am in awe of the detailed research that went into compiling this report on the cold case of who betrayed the Frank family, to the Nazi's。 They had been hiding in the annex of Auto Frank's business for 25 months, before being caught。 It just once again reminded me of how very awful life for the Jews was during WWII and the fear of being caught just as frightful as being shipped off to the camps。I admit I got lost a bit with all the names and associations, so was not completely engaged in the book。 。。。more

Pat

Riveting book detailing the investigation into the person who betrayed Anne Frank and her family in August 1944。 I could hardly put it down。

Amanda

A great book in its depth, thoroughness of research and sharing of historical, cultural context of WWII life in Amsterdam。 However, the book was difficult at times to follow, as the Cold Case Team involved dozens of stories that didn’t intersect with one another for the most part。

Susannah PK

I could not put this book down。 I consumed it within 48 hours。 Rosemary Sullivan's tour de force is majestic, fascinating and spine tingling。Reading about how the cold-case team did audio experiments around the annex buildings as well as visited other residences nearby to see whether people would have been able to see from their vantage point, made me feel like I was there too。 Having visited the museum myself, I could place visually in my mind where the cold-case team were and what the landscap I could not put this book down。 I consumed it within 48 hours。 Rosemary Sullivan's tour de force is majestic, fascinating and spine tingling。Reading about how the cold-case team did audio experiments around the annex buildings as well as visited other residences nearby to see whether people would have been able to see from their vantage point, made me feel like I was there too。 Having visited the museum myself, I could place visually in my mind where the cold-case team were and what the landscape is like。It was very sad to learn that the ultimate betrayer may well have been a Jewish person shook me to the core。 It must have been a very terrifying period of time to exist, especially in Amsterdam at the time where there were V women and V men and lots of bribes to find Jews。I loved the way Sullivan gave us the back stories and history of different situations and events that took place。 I had no idea that there was a special task force in Amsterdam at the time to find Jews by means of conning people and bribery。 Ultimately, the thing that makes me the saddest of all- is how close the Frank's, van Pells and Fritz Pfeffer were to being liberated。 If only they had been able to hold out another 8 months。 But sadly, it was not to be。Excellent book- highly recommend 。。。more

Brittany McCann

A lot of research, but not a very exciting way to narrate the data, and a lot of liberties seem to be made that aren't backed up adequately。It is worth reading for the wealth of historical collection for sure。 I'm not sure that I would come back to it though。 Quite dry。3 Stars A lot of research, but not a very exciting way to narrate the data, and a lot of liberties seem to be made that aren't backed up adequately。It is worth reading for the wealth of historical collection for sure。 I'm not sure that I would come back to it though。 Quite dry。3 Stars 。。。more

Mary

This was such an interesting read! Full of background and history。 Totally recommend!