Why, even in situations of seemingly total conformity, there are always some people who refuse to go along. This is a book about such nonconformist, about the mystery of what impels people to do something risky and transgressive when thrust into a morally compromising situation: stop, say no, resist.
-- Eyal Press (Prologue paragraph N/A)

Importance: Here, Eyal Press lays out in the prologue his reason for writing his book. Having provided the example of a dozen German troops who refused to participate in the killing of Jews near the Polish town of Josefow, Press explains he wants to understand how and why such men could stand in defiance in the face of such overwhelming conformity. Press explains this is especially intriguing to readers, who wonder how they would have responded in such a situation.

…deciding whether to conform or resist is just that: a choice.
-- Eyal Press (Prologue paragraph N/A)

Importance: Press explains that the decision to resist or conform is based...