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A Special Mission: Hitler's Secret Plot to Seize the Vatican and Kidnap Pope Pius the XII
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In September, 1943, Adolf Hitler, furious at the ouster of Mussolini, sent German troops into Rome and ordered SS General Karl Wolff, who had been Heinrich Himmler’s chief aide, to occupy the Vatican and kidnap (and, perhaps, kill) Pope Pius XII. At the same time plans were being made to deport Rome’s Jews to Auschwitz, Wolff began playing a dangerous game: stalling Hitler’s plot against the pope, whom he hoped would save him from the noose in case Germany lost the war. To save Pius, Wolff and fellow conspirators blackmailed him into silence when the Jews were rounded up, hoping that Hitler would rescind his order. This tale of intrigue and betrayal is one of the most important untold stories of World War II. Dan Kurzman was the first journalist to have interviewed General Wolff following his release from prison after the war. And this is the only book to tell the full behind-the-scenes story of the plot against the Vatican and its far-reaching consequences.
Anonymous
Posted September 4, 2011
Good info too long, same info stated over and over again
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted May 18, 2010
Enjoyed the book great background for another good read "Hitler's Pope"
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Wampic
Posted January 7, 2010
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Mr. Kurzman claims that this book has been thoroughly researched and that it is entirely unfictionalized. Looking at the list of sources, which seems to include interviews with everyone still living who was at all effected by the plot, there is no reason to doubt. This makes it still more amazing that it was possible to organize this fascinating story along narrative lines. There is even included dialogue, along with in-depth exploration of the characters' motivations. Particularly good are his depictions of the denial and mixed impulses which led General Karl Wolff and his superior Heinrich Himmler to play their particular roles and may give you a momentary feeling of pity for these poor, self-deluded murderers. Kurzman hesitates to explore the thinking of Pope Pius XII himself however, offering various interpretations by others instead. This is rather peculiar, since Kurzman seems at times to be using the plots against the Vatican to excuse what many have seen as Pius's negligence during the Holocaust. Related events such as the surrender of Italy, the ransoming of Rome's Jews, and the July 20 assassination attempt are also touched upon.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted May 17, 2011
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Posted March 25, 2012
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Posted November 5, 2011
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Posted March 31, 2011
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Overview
In September, 1943, Adolf Hitler, furious at the ouster of Mussolini, sent German troops into Rome and ordered SS General Karl Wolff, who had been Heinrich Himmler’s chief aide, to occupy the Vatican and kidnap (and, perhaps, kill) Pope Pius XII. At the same time plans were being made to deport Rome’s Jews to Auschwitz, Wolff began playing a dangerous game: stalling Hitler’s plot against the pope, whom he hoped would save him from the noose in case Germany lost the war. To save Pius, Wolff and fellow conspirators blackmailed him into silence when the Jews were rounded up, hoping that Hitler would rescind his order. This tale of intrigue and betrayal is one of the most important untold ...