Customer Reviews

A Special Mission: Hitler's Secret Plot to Seize the Vatican and Kidnap Pope Pius the XII

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It's about time that somebody jumped off the bandwagon that blindly shouts that Pius XII didn't do enough about the holocaust, and actually took a look at historical evidence to see if such accusations are warranted. What's been said about Pius XII is a real assasination of character. Bravo for standing up for historical truth for once.

Kurzman has done excellent work in this very well balanced history of Pope Pius and the Nazi threat in WWII. There are no excuses made or whitewash of what the Vatican did and did not do during the war but this book aids in having a better understanding of the situation, time, and place. It also offers some enlightenment into the thinking of the pope and the objectives of the Vatican. Very worthwhile to anyone interested in these issues and most certainly essential reading for anyone who has read "Hitler's Pope." It is clear from what Kurzman writes that Pius was not a supporter of Hitler and his policies. The complications, danger, and moral struggle of a basically good man of faith challenged by impossible circumstances in a world gone mad have never been presented in a better way.

Kurman's work, the research for which was done over the course of almost 30 years, does a great job of showing that Pope Pius XII is not the evil figure portrayed by so many wannabe historians. This book is well-written, thoughtful and touching. If you are a student of history, this is well worth your time.

It was a most difficult time for the world in general, and for Pius XII in particular. Hitler's ambition threatened to conquer all of Europe and impose a rule of tyranny. The Pope, while he was Secretary of State and before his election to the papacy, was on record as opposing Hitler and his policies, and was hated by the Fuhrer. A Special Mission was ordered by Hitler to Seize the Pope and transport him to northern Italy, and at the same time to eliminate the high officials in the Vatican government. This mission was given to General Karl Wolff, the SS Commandant in Rome. Wolff perceived this action as a detriment to the Nazi cause, thinking that the tide of public opinion would be overwhelmingly against Germany, and even affect the morale and support of the German troops, a large percentage of whom were Catholic. He also came to believe that Germany would not win the war, and that his efforts to abort the kidnap mission could help Germany to obtain honorable terms for surrender, and even an accord with the Allies to oppose Soviet Russia. Accordingly, the General did everything he could to short-circuit the plan, including warning the Pope about the Special Mission, and asking him to refrain from speaking out against Hitler, to avoid capture and the destruction of the Vatican government.

Kurzman carefully records the many incidents that took place in this drama, many of them related to the exchanges between General Wolff and the Pope. There are many details that perhaps are not common knowledge, and from an historical perspective are quite interesting. While the intention of the author would seem to be vindication of Pius's role during World War II, the subtle questions he poses seem to me to be barbs inflicted for dereliction of duty - cheap shots. All in all, it is an interesting account of the battle between the Vatican and the Third Reich and is worthwhile reading.

In this book Dan Kurzman tells the story of WWII from the perspective of the Nazi hierarchy with an emphasis on General Karl Wolff and Himmler. It is illuminating to see the Reich from inside the power structure and to see how the plot to kidnap the Pope and loot the Vatican played out against the personal and political motivations of the men in the know.

Also, Kurzman refrains from turning the book into an attack or defense of Pius XII. In chapter 13 and his epilogue he examines the debate as it is at this time. He does a good job of presenting both sides, but it does not seek to, as far as I could estimate, give an apology for the pope. It seems, actually, that he sympathizes more with those who criticize him (in the epilogue), but the way he writes it all, one can see he has a critical sympathy and presents both sides well.

I must say the endnotes are as impressive as the bibliography. And with an index to boot, this book is really quite good. This seems to add new knowledge into the discussion and with good scholarship.

Excellent work!

The fact that this story is a balanced and fair assessment of a Pope means it will be appealing to conservative Roman Catholics hoping to find the truth about Pius XII. It is not a defense of this much-maligned Pope but the facts speak for themselves in the depth of research this work provides. But beyond setting the record straight with meticulous research, Mr. Kurzman has crafted a thrilling tale of espionage and intrigue sure to please the likes of Ian Fleming or Tom Clancy fans. As is so often the case, real history is often filled with more excitement than the most gifted fiction writers could imagine. Such is the case in this story. Well written story-telling with great attention to historical detail. Very highly recommended fun and informative reading.

Looking for further verification of my premise of Pius, Hitler, the World War II scenario I took the journey that Kurzman offers. This book is a winner--outstanding in the telling and impeccable for its historical value. The book relies heavily on Kurzman's interviews with primary sources. Facts are not merely documented they are compared and weighed for reliability. Unlike John Cornwell, Kurzman goes beyond his vocation of journalist to historian extraordinaire. He offers us that rare gem so few understand, historical perspective. Kurzman shows you the chessboard upon which Pius and Hitler played, a much needed accomplishment. Bravo.

This book presents the reader with intrigue worthy of a top notch mystery and history that holds your attention like a novel. This is what appears to be a well researched study into the delicate maneuvers Pope Pius XII, SS Commander in Italy, Gen. Karl Wolf, Adolph Hitler and a host of other characters who all play their part in this drama. The basic premise is that Hitler gave orders to Wolf to seize the Vatican, kidnap Pope Pius, and take the Vatican's archives and portable art to Germany. Wolf did not want to kidnap the Pope so he worked to frustrate Hitler's plan. This book approaches the question of Pius' response to the Holocaust. Author Dan Kurzman does an excellent job of providing a balanced perspective of the problem. Whereas so many view the question only as whether Pius should be faulted for not speaking out, Kurzman reports on the Roman Jews who were saved by Pius' actions and the many factors which went into each decision. Would a public condemnation by Pius be effective? The Germans feared it, but many doubted whether it would receive the publication necessary to make a difference. What were Pius' obligations, to protect the Jews? To preserve the standing of the Church so it could continue to preach the Gospel under whatever government emerged from the war? To protect the West from Communism, which Pius may have seen as a greater threat than Nazism? Kurzman makes much of Pius' goal of preserving his potential as a peacemaker. While raising all of these issues and more, Kurzman leaves the reader to formulate his own answers.

I have long felt that Pius tried to do what he thought was right and that any errors were those of judgment, rather than of the heart. This book forced me to appreciate the importance that the Germans attached to Pius' silence and think about whether he could have handled things better. I believe that one who faults Pius would, if he reads this book with an open mind, will find his conclusions challenged also. For anyone with an interest in the Pius controversy or World War II, this is a very worthwhile read.

AN AMAZING STORY. HARD TO BELIEVE, BUT IF DAN KURZMAN, TESTIFIES TO IT, THEN THE ABSURD CAN ALSO BE TRUE. A MUST READ FOR ANYONE, WISHING TO DELVE INTO THE NAZI MENTALITY AND PARANOIA. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF AMAZINGLY ABSURD EVENTS RELATED TO WWII & HOLOCAUST. JUST ASK (READ) ANY HOLOCAUST SURVIVOR STORY! THE BACKGROUND DETAILS GIVE AN INSIGHT AS TO THE INTRICACIES OF GOVERNMENTS AT WAR. WELL WORTH THE TIME FOR AN INTENSIVE READ.

Dan Kurzman's book titled A SPECIAL MISSION is a history text, a crime/spy thriller, and a profile in rare courage and lack thereof. The background is Italy and Europe from c. 1936-1945. The status of the Vatican officials and Pope Pius XII is viewed from backgound of W.W. II and uneasy realtions between Vatican officials and Italy's Fascist leaders including Mussolini (1881-1945). The major factor was the German invasion of Italy to rescue Mussolini and the hatred Hitler & co. had toward Catholics and espeically Pope Pius XII whose tenure was from 1939-1958.

To claim that Hitler HATED Catholics and Pope Piux XII is an understatement. The commander of German forces in Italy was General Wolff who opposed any hostile action against Italian Catholics and the Vatican. Wolff's views were based in part on conscience and in part of political options. Gen. Wolff knew early that the Germans would lose W.W. II, and he wanted Pope Pius XII to assist in a negotated peace. Gen. Wolff also knew if Hitler & co. knew that if he (Wolff) actually worked against plans of German troops' invasion of the Vatican and the the kidnapping and/or massacre of Pope Pius XII that Hitler would have Wolff arrested and put to death. On the other hand, Himmler, who was in charge of the German S.S., HATED Catholics and Pope Pius XII. Martin Borman, another Hitler official, wanted to rid not only the Vatican and Italy of Catholics and Jews, he wanted to rid ALL of Europe of Catholics and Jews.

Pope Pius XII was clearly aware of German plans. He was well aware that his life was in danger, and he had to be be careful to appear neutral while secretly (very secretly)working to rescue refugees including Jews. He ordered monks and nuns to receive refugees to save them from German persecution. Pope Pius XII also filled the Vatican and his own residences with refugees including Jewish refugees. When some German officials threatened Pope Pius XII with arrest and concerntration camp internment, he was very clear that he was not the least bit intimidated. He showed heroic fidelity to the Faith in terrible times. Pope Pius XII also knew that a bona fide communist threat was a latent possibility. Pope Pius XII was concerned about the undiciplined Italian Red Flag Party and the more disciplined Stalinist Communist Party. In 1943, Pope Pius XII knew of another plot to get S.S. troops to invade the Vatican, massacre everyone including the Pope himself and have other S.S. troops massacre the first wave of S.S. troops and claim the first wave were disgruntled Italians or communists. Readers should note that as early as 1923 Pope Pius XII condemned German National Socialism. When Pope Pius XI (1922-1938)issued his famous pronouncement MIT BRENNENDER SORGE (WTIH BURNING CONCERN), he was complimented and thanked. Pope Pius XI said the thanks should go to Eugenio Pacelli-the future Pope Pius XII. The statement read in part that Jews and Christians were Spiritual Semites.

Those who claimed that Pope Pius XII should have been more outspoken have obviously not read his Christmas messages in 1941 and 1942. When Dutch Catholic Bishops denounced Hitler's persecution of Jews, German authorities in the Netherlands went after Catholic and Jews with a vengence. St. Edith Stein (1891-1942)was arrested and died. She was born Jewish, converted to Catholicism, and became a Carmelite Nun and a noted scholar.

As mentioned above, Pope Pius XII knew of his danger. He knew that Napolean I had Pope Pius VI arrested, and Pope Pius VI died shortly thereafter. In 1809, Napolean had Pope Pius IX arrested. Pope Piux XII also knew that if Hitler knew that Pope Piux XII helped plot to overthrow Hitler as early as 1940, Hitler would have ordered the massacre of the Vatican Curia and co. In fact, as early as 1943, Pope Pius XII was so well of the danger to his life that he arranged for his successor should he (Pope Pius XII) be murdered.

Pope Pius XII protested publicly when communist partisans ambushed German troops, and the Germans took bloody reprisals. Pope Pius XII condemned both for the death of innocent people. He also protested the unnecessary allied bombing of Rome. When the attacks occured, he immediately went to help the victims and gave them the Last Rites. He also order that the Vatican treasury (about two million lira)be used to help the survivors. Pope Pius XII worked tirelessaly and courageously to be loyal God and his own moral code.

Kurzman's book showed Pope Pius XII' precarious position. The book clearly showed that as early as 1923, Pope Pius XII warned Euroepans and Germans about the danger of National Socialism. Pope Pius XII did the best he could in spite of danger and tragic cirucumstances. He did more than anyone else which this book implies. The book is interesting, exciting and thoughtful. The undersigned cannot think of anyone who did more with so little except religious devotion and unalloyed courage.

James E. Egolf

April 12, 2011