Melissa Mueller states at the beginning of this book that she does not intend for this volume to be a replacement for the diary, but rather an adjunct to it. This goal has been acheived admirably through extensive interviews and research, giving insights in not only Anne's life before and after her experiences in hiding, but also shedding light on the various family members and people involved.

One thing Mueller accomplishes, which may well be worth the price of the book alone, is to paint a more accurate picture of two of the most maligned figures in Anne's diary: Edith Frank and Fritz Pfeffer (Albert Dussel in Anne's pseudonym). Especially moving are descriptions of Edith's tenacity in keeping her daughters with her at Auschwitz-Birkenau, and a letter written by Pfeffer to his fiancee, Charlotte. One would wish Mueller had been able to do the same for the van Pels family (the van Daans in the diary), but perhaps the information available was simply too scant.

For anyone who cherishes the diary and legacy of Anne Frank, this book will be a welcome addition to the body of work this remarkable child has inspired.

Everyone is familiar with the name Anne Frank, and everyone is aware of the struggles she and her family went through in the secret annex, but what do we know about the parts of her life that aren't contained in her diary? This book reveals portions of the lives of Anne Frank and her family that you never knew existed. It will take you from a time when the Franks were accepted as part of a community, to a time when they were no longer allowed to belong to that community. This book will help you gain a better understanding of the era in which Anne Frank lived. Muller does a great job at providing small details which really make the legend come to life. She has obtained information from multiple sources, which give different information and viewpoints. There is even a letter written by Miep Gies, who is responsible for hiding the Frank family. In this note, she expresses many emotions and a unique viewpoint which will make you question your own feelings on the Holocaust. This biography is very emotional and insightful. It contains answers to many questions you may have, and makes it easier than ever to understand what happened to the Franks and other families during the holocaust.

I read about Anne Frank when I was around 8 years old. I was very touched by her story, and begged my aunt - who lives in Amsterdam - to take me to the Anne Frank House to visit the Secret Annex. Ever since, Anne's tragic story has been with me. I read her diary, as well as other books written with her. Now I read this book - Anne's biography. I just finished it - and I sit here with a pale face and tears in my eyes. It's a very touching story with happy times and dark times, and a very tragic end. The author describes this end in every detail you could possibly think of... the arrestation of the eight people in the Annex, Mieps attempts to free the family by offering money to Gestapo police offers, the family's deportation to the camps... how Anne lived in happiness in Westerbork after having been locked in the Annex for two years. How she was deported to Auschwitz - where she was separated from her father and, later on, from her mother. How she and Margot were deported to Bergen-Belsen, where she died so tragically. If this part of the book doesn't move you to burst out in tears, the part when Otto finds out his daughters won't come back, will. This book is a journey through Anne's life and after the last page the terrible truth gets you by the throat: this young girl, who described this terrible period in her life so lively, will never ever come back. Anne's spirit is with us forever. Whenever I'm in Amsterdam, I always stop by Prinsengracht 263 to visit the Annex. And when I'm standing in Anne's room I still feel the same as when I was 8 years old, and visited her room for the first time.