Reinhard Heydrich is widely recognized as one of the iconic villains of the 20th century, an appalling figure even within the context the Nazi leadership, yet he has received only modest attention in the vast array of literature of the Third Reich. This compelling and powerfully reviewed biography sheds new light on the complexity of his character, his motivations, the incremental steps that led to unimaginable atrocities, and the consequences of his murderous efforts toward recreating the entire ethnic makeup of Europe. 'Superb' Frank Dikkoter, "Daily Telegraph" Books of the Year.

Robert Gerwarth is professor of modern history at University College Dublin and director of UCD's Centre for War Studies.