Letters from Nuremberg: My Father's Narrative of a Quest for Justice (Hardcover)

by Christopher Dodd (Author), Lary Bloom (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
At the Nuremberg trials of Nazi leaders after WWII, America's lead prosecutor, Chief Justice Robert Jackson, had an Achilles' heel: cross-examination. Thus emerged a young attorney, Thomas Dodd, whose inquisition of the brilliant Hermann Göring provided the centerpiece of the trials. Walter Cronkite, who covered Nuremberg, said years later that Dodd had saved the day. These letters reveal that Dodd felt slighted by Jackson early on and almost left before the trial. Unexpectedly, in 1990, his children discovered Dodd's voluminous correspondence from Nuremberg to his wife, Grace. What shines through these letters describing the trial and events leading up to it is the writer's unfussy concern for righteousness, which under the circumstances meant winning the case—and in the proper way. (One Nazi general he interrogated, Dodd said, really should not be in prison... he is and was persona non grata with the Nazis.) Dodd (who like his son, presidential hopeful Christopher, later became a senator) was a very good writer; his descriptions of the trial and the defendants (Göring reminded him of a captured lion) are evocative. These excerpted letters make for fascinating reading and must be considered an essential addition to Nuremberg studies. 8 pages of b&w photos. (Sept. 11)
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Review
“In researching my book on Nuremberg, the trial sprang to life when I encountered the role of prosecutor Thomas Dodd. Fortunately, in hundreds of letters home, Dodd recorded an unvarnished insider view of the tribunal. Today the outcome of Nuremberg may seem foregone. But Dodd’s vivid account reveals how feuds among allies, prosecutors and judges nearly sank the world’s first trial in which the rule of law triumphed over a reign of barbarism.”
—Joseph E. Persico, author of Nuremberg: Infamy on Trial

“Tom Dodd was not only a most competent pretrial interrogator and courtroom prosecutor, but was admired and liked by me and all others who worked with him. LETTERS FROM NUREMBERG shows how much that famous trial still affects us today. Tom Dodd’s letters have the immediacy and emotional power of a novel. This book is a terrific addition to the Nuremberg legacy.”
—Richard W. Sonnenfeldt, Chief Interpreter for the American Prosecution at the Nuremberg Trials and author of Witness to Nuremberg

“At times anguished and stimulating, always informative and insightful, Thomas Dodd’s personal letters from the Nuremburg trial to his wife as presented by his son, Senator Christopher Dodd, constitute an important contribution to History. All those interested in the events resulting from the darkest zones of humanity will find this volume of great value.”
—Elie Wiesel

“This book is a tour de force–a gold mine for historians, an intimate love story, and a compelling portrait of key Nazi figures. Splendidly edited, the letters capture as never before the intrigue, the infighting, and the daily drama of one of the most important trials in history.”
—Doris Kearns Goodwin, author of Team of Rivals

“Thomas Dodd’s letters from Nuremberg illuminate the most important trial of the 20th Century through... --This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 384 pages
• Publisher: Crown; 1 edition (September 11, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0307381161
• ISBN-13: 978-0307381163
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.4 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #238,507 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An extraordinary treasure trove, September 14, 2007

By	book lover (Arlington, VA) - See all my reviews

I read this book cover to cover in one day. It is unique, fascinating from a historical perspective, moving for the beautiful love story it contains, and particularly relevant in light of the current environment in the United States. It is definitely one of the best books I have read in quite awhile. Although this book was authored and edited by a presidential candidate, it is in an entirely different realm from other politician's publications.

I loved what Senator Dodd had to say about how the U.S. gained the moral authority to lead by submitting to the rule of law at Nuremberg, extending rights and protections to some of the most despicable people in history because it was the just, moral action to take. Senator Dodd contrasts this to how the U.S. has walked away from guaranteeing these protections in recent years and the subsequent deterioration of the moral high ground we once occupied.

The letters are just an incredible find -- they are intimate and tender at times, while also a true first draft of history from someone who was a participant. No matter what your politics, the letters are fascinating.

I bought "Letters from Nuremberg" after hearing Senator Dodd's interview about the book and his presidential campaign on Charlie Rose's program. It was a great price on amazon and I have been enthusiastically recommending it to all my friends, as I do now.

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An exceptional book about an exceptional man, September 20, 2007

By	No Name Needed (Washington, DC) - See all my reviews

Senator Dodd reminds us all, through the letters of his father, of our need to maintain a steady moral compass as we negotiate a difficult balance between the security of our nation and the civil rights that are the backbone our country was built upon.

At a recent book signing at "Politics and Prose" in Washington, DC, Senator Dodd was asked if his father's career influenced his decision to become a public servant. He told the story of his father, interviewed weeks before his death, being asked if he knew how his political career would end (censure and then failing to win re-election)would he do it again. Senator Thomas Dodd answered (and I am paraphrasing) "A lawyer can help only so many clients in his career - a doctor only so many patients but as a public servant one is able to help millions of people. I would do it again without hesitation." This book offers facinating insite into the dedication of this honorable man to his country, to his family and to the rule of law that makes us great.

(And as an aside, I-Man is wrong. Chris Dodd is not riding the coattails of his father. Anyone taking the time to familiarize themselves with the work that he has done in his 30 plus years as a public servant would know that he is exceptionally qualified to be the President of the United States.)

16 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Reading, September 17, 2007

By	P. Runcie (East Tennessee, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I really enjoyed this book. It's a collection of letters from the number 2 prosecuter of the Nuremberg trials. Not only is it from his point of view, it also shows the lovingness that existed between him and his wife, that these letters were writen to.

It's a shame that someone can not critique a book on only it's content with out putting his/her opinion, let alone a political opinion.