Richmond author William Hastings Burke has just released his debut book, Thirty Four, which reveals the remarkable lives of Hermann Göring and his anti-Nazi brother, Albert. William uncovered the Göring stories as an undergraduate in Australia and has spent the past four years piecing his book together. He spoke to Will Gore.

Tell us about Thirty Four?

Albert Göring was the younger brother of Nazi bigwig Hermann. He had insider status and was considered Nazi royalty. Yet he did everything to undermine his brother’s regime. He saved hundreds of Jews and political dissidents throughout the war. He was a flawed hero and someone history has ignored. Using the list of the 34 most prominent people he saved, I tracked down survivors and pieced together Albert’s story.

Why did you decide to write the book?

I felt someone had to address this historical oversight and injustice and, perhaps due to youthful naivety, I thought that person could be me.

You did plenty of travelling and worked on it for years – was it an enjoyable process?

I won’t lie, it was a hard slog at times, especially since the project was self-funded. But how could I grumble about spending a night in some remote airport when Albert would not think twice to risk his life for a stranger.

Was it a bit of a gamble leaving Australia to work on the book?

I was 22 when I left Australia and there was lot of pressure to get a ‘real job’ and make use of my degree. But I knew that, if I didn’t write this book, I would regret it all of my life.

What is the most amazing thing you discovered about Albert?

I wanted to get to the bottom of rumours about Albert’s father. It is suspected that he was the love child of his Jewish godfather, Count von Epenstein. I now believe this was true. This would mean Albert was a quarter Jewish and, under his brother’s regime, he would have been sent to a concentration camp or worse.

Did you manage to find some of the people Albert saved?

Yes, I travelled to eight countries interviewing survivors saved by Albert. Even though there was nothing linking them other than Albert, there was a constant thread. Each survivor would oscillate between highs and lows in only a matter of sentences. It must be a survival mechanism and makes for great storytelling.

How important is it to keep the story of the Second World War and the Holocaust alive?

It was the very reason why I decided to write the book. The book is part-travelogue, part-historical exploration, and part-journalistic account. I wrote it so that this history would be accessible to a new generation.

How did you end up in Richmond?

To tell you that would involve another book but a failed romance in Norway had something to do with it.

Future plans?

I am thinking of venturing into historical fiction; a novel set in World War II Norway.

Hastings Burke will be signing copies of Thirty Four at Waterstone’s, Richmond, on Saturday from noon. For more information visit 34thebook.com