Ss 1 Himmer Hb [Hardcover]

Hugh Thomas (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 12, 2001

An examination of the curious demise of Reichsfuehrer SS Heinrich Himmler that investigates an extraordinary web of secret deals and international intrigue. On 22nd May 1945, in the immediate aftermath of the end of World War II, the Allies celebrated the capture of the most important member of the Nazi hierarchy, Reichsf hrer Heinrich Himmler. The SS leader was arrested, interrogated and committed suicide by taking poison from a capsule concealed in his mouth. Then he was buried at a secret site on Luneberg Heath. But Himmler did not rest in peace, if it was Himler who was buried there. The British disinterred and reburied his body, and in 1946 MI6's most talented, if treacherous, agent, Kim Philby, was still not convinced that the story of Himmler's death made any sense at all. Philby realised that a man of Himmler's organisational genius, a plotter of great intricacy and sophistication who recognised Germany's inevitable defeat as early as 1943, was unlikely to have just blundered into the arms of the Allies. What happened? Hugh Thomas set out to answer Philby's question and uncovered a maze of corruption, high finance, political gambles and international intrigue. In so doing he reveals not only where the bodies are buried but whose bodies they are.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'With elegant argument and meticulous research, Thomas has produced the non-fiction equivalent of a Robert Harris or Frederick Forsyth novel.' Roger Hutchinson, Scotsman 'Thomas has a scalpel-sharp eye for detail. The central thesis -- and the evidence for it is vivid -- is that Himmler was attempting to set up a Fourth Reich outside the boundaries of Hitler's Germany. Compelling.' Jonathan Glancey, Guardian 'Ever since 1945, the world has believed that Heinrich Himmler evaded his just deserts by committing suicide when he fell into British hands shortly after the end of the Second World War. The Allies would have liked to put him on trial alongside Goring and the other major war criminals. Himmler, the greatest mass murderer of all time, cheated the hangman. But was it really Himmler?' Mail on Sunday --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Hugh Thomas is a surgeon and forensic expert of international repute. His 1979 book, The Murder of Rudolf Hess, caused a world-wide furore as it alleged that the prisoner in Spandau Gaol was not Rudolf Hess. His second book Hess: A Tale of Two Murders precipitated a six month Scotland Yard inquiry which saw its report immediately suppressed.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: Fourth Estate (February 12, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1841153060
• ISBN-13: 978-1841153063
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.2 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,402,054 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars very interesting, May 9, 2003

By 

carbonell-isensee - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ss 1 Himmer Hb (Hardcover)

Great describtion of the end of the Third Reich from the perspective of Himmler and Schellenberg.

It defines a conspiracy and proves it very well. Some of the negotiations at the end of the war in Sweden were known but the extent of the involvement on all sides is truly scary. Specially the financial side of this book between Butler, Dulles and Schellenberg are simply incredible. Did Himmler survive the war, after reading this book I would guess yes.