The article is an extended review of two major biographical studies of Italy's most famous 20th century author, Primo Levi. The article examines in detail the issue of Levi's brief partisan career and proposes an alternative interpretation of the execution of two young partisans in Levi's band. Specifically it identifies the probable executioner of the partisans as Aldo Piacenza, and thus sheds new light on the motives behind Levi's silence over the affair.