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The Loneliest Man in the World Paperback – February 18, 2010

by Eugene K. Bird (Author), Sam Sloan (Introduction)

9 customer reviews

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Without doubt, the most bizarre and controversial event in the History of World War II was the parachute jump by Deputy Führer Rudolf Hess into Scotland on May 10, 1941. Hess was supposedly on a peace mission to negotiate a peace between England and Germany. Hess was supposedly on his way to see the Duke of Hamilton in Scotland, with whom he believed he could negotiate a peace. As to why Hess thought that he could negotiate a peace in this way or why he thought that the Duke of Hamilton was the right person with whom to negotiate peace, this remains a mystery, but it is only the first of a long string of mysteries involving Rudolf Hess. Instead, Hess was put in jail, where he stayed for 46 years until he died in 1987. For 46 years he served a life sentence in West Berlin's Spandau prison. For the last 17 years he was the only inmate in a fortress built to hold 600. Long ago he was the second most powerful man in Germany, Deputy Fuhrer to Adolf Hitler. His name is Rudolf Hess. Now the almost incredible story of the Loneliest Man in the World is told by a man who, as part of the American garrison at Spandau, and later as Commandant, watched over Hess's every move and action, won his confidence, talked daily with him, and kept a day-to-day record. Was Hess mad? Colonel Bird's answer is an emphatic no. Is he the totally evil man that many think. Again, the author demurs. Above all, was he, when he flew to Scotland in the Spring of 1941, trying to make peace with Britain, and did Hitler know what Hess was doing. Readers will find the answers to this and many other crucial questions about the most enigmatic leader of the Third Reich in the pages of this book.

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About the Author

Eugene K. Bird (11 March 1926 – October 28, 2005) was US Commandant of the Spandau Allied Prison from 1964 to 1972 where, together with six others, Deputy Führer Rudolf Hess was incarcerated. In March 1971, Bird’s superiors at the US Mission in Berlin became officially aware of the Bird/Hess manuscripts and other documents relating to the proposed book. Bird was interrogated in great detail, placed under house arrest, and eventually made to resign his position as Commandant of Spandau Prison. This episode, in effect, also ended his military career. Bird and his family relocated to Germany permanently. This book about Hess: The Loneliest Man in the World, was published in 1974 in London. In the Epilogue, Bird describes in detail his interrogation and, indirectly, accuses his superiors and brother officers of gross hypocrisy. Many of them knew of his labors, he wrote, and some had even read the manuscripts and encouraged him with the project. After the publication of the book, Bird campaigned to have Hess released from what had effectively become permanent solitary confinement after Albert Speer and Baldur von Schirach were released on October 1, 1966.

Paperback: 308 pages
Publisher: Ishi Press (February 18, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 4871878805
ISBN-13: 978-4871878807
Product Dimensions: 6 x 0.7 x 9 inches
Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 9 customer reviews
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #228,669 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #245 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > Historical > Europe > Germany
- #692 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > Leaders & Notable People > Military > World War II
- #700 in Books > History > Europe > Germany

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The author, Eugen Bird, served as the commandant ...

ByScotton September 26, 2015

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

The author, Eugen Bird, served as the commandant of Spandau from 1964 until 1972 and spent considerable time with the seven prisoners detained there. After 1966, Hess remained as the only prisoner in Spandau, and Bird spent considerable time talking with Hess in preparation for this book. The result is a fascinating piece of history that sheds light on the pettiness of these seven men who once ruled Europe and now are confined to jail cells, the political machinations of the former WWII allies as the Cold War rages, and some fascinating insights from the number two man in the Third Reich about the inner workings of he Nazi Party from 1923 until 1941.

0Comment 2 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

Understand Rudolf Hess through the writing of Eugene Bird.

Bysnickoon September 27, 2008

Format: Paperback

Eugene Bird's book is a good starting point for those interested in Rudolf Hess. The reader will gain an insight to his personality, state of mind and mission which led to his captivity for 46 years. First published in 1974, the book's author is a former commandant of Spandau prison who was able to gain the confidence of Hess who he talked openly with. Much of the book deals with the conditions confining all seven inmates, and their day to day dealing and illnesses. For readers not wanting to be continually remided of aging men's problems, like difficulty urinating, irregular heart beats, or constipation then this book is not for you. However this "warts and all" book portrays the honest daily existence endured by Hess for 30 years.
Hess is continually questioned about his knowledge (or lack of) about Barbarossa, if Hitler knew of his flight in advance, and life in general. The reader can form his own opinion upon Hess's answers, and Bird's credibility.
Of particular interest was the Soviet Union's continued rejection of Hess's release. This in turn further exacerbated the rumors and misleading information centered around his flight to Britain during world war two.

0Comment 15 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

RUDOLF HESS-THE LONELIEST MAN IN THE WORLD

ByLouiseon January 23, 2002

Format: Hardcover

I highly recommend this fascinating, interesting and revealing book written by one-time Director of Spandau Prison in Berlin Col Eugene Bird. However, before I continue with my review I think it is appropriate for me to quote what Rudolf Hess's son Wolf Rudiger Hess thought of the book. He says in his book 'My Father Rudolf Hess' written in the 1980's the following comments regarding the book:
Bird was U.S Director at Spandau and maintains that he won my father's confidence over the period. My father allegedly gave him permission to use his Nuremberg notes in a publication.
Although Bird's description sounds quite credible in many respects, as a source I consider the book to be of only limited reliability until such time as it's content is confirmed by Rudolf Hess.
With the above in mind, I do not know if the book was ever confirmed as completely reliable by Rudolf Hess (probably not) but Bird's account of things certainly tie in with many facts concerning the 'Third Reich's' most tragic figure.
It is written from the point of view of a humanitarian who wanted to really get to know Rudolf Hess and find out what he was really like. I believe that because of Eugene Bird's kind and compassionate manner, Hess felt able to talk to him and reveal a lot about himself and subjects and events that he had not had the chance to talk about to anyone eles in years of captivity. Eugene Bird states in the book that he believes he was the first person to get close to Hess since Hess's captivity in 1941 which is very probably the truth. Hence you have a very moving and at times very sad glimpse into the life and emotions of Rudolf Hess which would not have been revealed in such detail by other people in Spandau.
The book features Hess's Nuremburg diary entries which make fascinating reading indeed. Also the book features the lives of the other Spandau prisoners up until their various release dates when only Rudolf Hess remained. Eugene Bird is able to tell us the reaction of Hess at that momentous time when he found himself completely alone without Albert Speer and Baldur Von-Shirach.
The book covers Rudolf Hess's illness with a serious stomach ulcer which required hospital treatment. It was after this illness that Bird was able to persuade Rudolf Hess to receive a visit from his wife Ilse and son Wolf who he had not seen since he was 3 years old. The sensitive way in which Bird gently persuaded him to see his family after 28 years is a credit to his sensitivity as a Director and as a man. The book goes on to explain and detail that very first meeting and also later meetings between Hess and his family.
Eugene Bird got to know Rudolf Hess in a very real way and he discovered that Hess was a sensitive, humourous and warm human being who had a sharp intellect and keen interest in things.
A truly fascinating part of the book is devoted to the letters which pointed to the peace mission to Great Britain of Rudolf Hess in which he made an attempt to stop the war.
Hess explains to Eugene Bird how he was trying to achieve peace in 1941.
The book has an unexpected 'twist' at the end. As a result of Bird's liaison with Rudolf Hess to write the book, Bird is questioned and put under house arrest for a time and asked to resign his post as Spandau Director. These events came as a complete shock and surprise to Eugene Bird and he writes about it as an epiloge in the book.
He ends the book by saying he hoped that Rudolf Hess would be released from Spandau one day and that only time would tell.
Sadly, it never happened.
Louise

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Rare and valuable addition to history

ByRICHARD A DINSMOREon May 27, 2003

Format: Hardcover

If you have read Speer's magnificent Spandau diaries, this book will fill in a lot of very interesting gaps. Authoritative, the author gives the rarest of insights into Hess' actual state during his imprisonment.

0Comment 4 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

Rare and valuable historical piece

ByRICHARD A DINSMOREon May 27, 2003

Format: Hardcover

To the readers of Speers magnificent Spandau Diaries this authoritative book fills in many intriguing gaps, and illuminates many mysteries abour Hess' true state of mind. A valuable and wonderful book.

0Comment 11 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

I had a signed copy!

ByJackieon May 26, 2002

Format: Hardcover

While my husband and I were stationed in Berlin Germany, I actually met Mr Bird at the home of a friend. He signed my copy of the book! He talked to us about his time at Spandau Prison, which we drove past and took pictures of. I loaned to book to a friend, who has since divorced and have never seen the book again. I can hardly believe that anyone would not return a signed book!! Judy or Steve if you are out there, Please return my BOOK!!

33 comments 6 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

Loss of Eugene K Bird

ByGotthard B. C. Liebichon January 25, 2006

Format: Hardcover

Having obtained the book from a second-hand store in London many years ago, I never thought I would meet Mr. Bird, who wrote an excellent account of Rudolf Hess at Spandau. At a book review last March in Berlin we met and a friendship developed. After visiting the graveside of the Hess family at Wunsiedel last July, I managed to meet Mr. Bird at his home in Berlin in August. I regret to report that Mr. Bird passed away in late October. His book will now be even more valuable.

Gotthard Liebich, St. Albans, UK.

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Hess

ByMarkon March 11, 2012

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

Very good book on a true National Socialist and man of character. His incarceration for so long and eventual murder was a tragic miscarriage of justice ( and revenge). For further reading, I would suggest "Nature's Eternal Religion" by Ben Klassen where he covers National Socialism under Hitler. Buy the book !

22 comments 11 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

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