“Spring 1944. A Jewish family is murdered in a remote Ukrainian village. Who were they? Who were the killers? Three generations later, an Israeli woman and a British man of Ukrainian origins set out to find out how their families were implicated in this crime. They also discover how this untold murder has warped their own lives” (promotional text). The Butterfly and the Axe (2023) “is a book that will stay with you forever” (review). Distinguished historian Omer Bartov’s publications have reshaped our understanding of modern history, in particular the complexities of World War II and its outcomes. Praised for historical nuance and meticulous research, he is a leader in genocide studies, European history, and the societal effects of wars. His acclaimed works are marked by analytical depth and the ability to reveal the intricacies of human behavior in times of conflict, illuminating the interplay of ideology, identity, and violence. His penetrating investigations and keen insights have firmly established him as a powerful voice in contemporary scholarship, including in recent news about the current middle-east war.