The conquest of Lebensraum - living space - in Eastern Europe was the whole point of the Third Reich. This study investigates a key participant in the criminal project - Hans Frank - and how he tried to establish his corner of Hitler's racial empire. It reveals the different kinds of genocide perpetrated by the Nazis and explores the way in which the Fuhrer's minions had to compete for a place in his apocalyptic system.

On the outbreak of WWII Frank was appointed governor general of Poland. Heinrich Himmler was responsible for the extermination camps and Frank claimed he did not become aware of the mass killings until late in the war. Frank was captured in May 1945 and was accused of crimes against humanity at the Nuremberg War Crimes Trial. He said at his trial: "I myself have never installed an extermination camp for Jews, or promoted the existence of such camps; but if Adolf Hitler personally has laid that dreadful responsibility on his people, then it is mine too, for we have fought against Jewry for years; and we have indulged in the most horrible utterances." Hans Frank was found guilty and executed on October 1, 1946. This scholarly study from Martyn Housden examines Frank's career and complex character to shed light upon the Lebensraum project in the East and the carrying out of the Final Solution.