I am an avid space exploration enthusiast and, having heard of Operation Paperclip as the way many German rocket scientists were recruited for America’s space program, was curious to learn more. Only my equally deep interest in World War II compelled me to finish this terribly grim book, and if you do not share that interest then I most strongly recommend that you stop reading this review immediately and move on to something more enlightening and uplifting.
Even as World War II drew to a close, America was preparing for World War III. Germany had fallen, and up for grabs was the technology that would establish the next world powers. With the Germans defeated, the Soviet Union was rapidly distancing itself from its former allies and internal reports projected that they might be ready for total war against the United States as early as 1952. Time was extremely short, and the fate of the free world — so recently hard-won at such incredible cost — was already hanging in the balance again. The science and expertise of the most technologically advanced nation on the face of the planet could tip that balance. But would it be ethical for the United States to use German scientists and their knowledge if justice for their actions must be waived to do so?
The author’s retort of an adamant “No!” is clearly evident from the very first page of this book. And two facts do become abundantly clear: Some very bad people escaped justice because of their knowledge, and there was little difference (if any) between those who were hanged and those who were hired. However, beyond that this book presents an entirely one-sided and negative view of the events and individuals involved in Operation Paperclip.
But if you had just lived through the horrors of World War II, how far would you be willing to go to prevent them from recurring? I’m not sure that anyone born decades after those events — including myself, or the author who was born in 1967 — can claim a right to render judgment on that question. Would you judge rather than exploit German science if it meant that when you woke up in the morning it would be in a Soviet-conquered state? Or would you jeopardize your children’s freedom tomorrow in order to exact justice for yourself today? Such evident questions are never acknowledged. The author also fails to recognize the ironic possibility that the very actions she condemns — right or wrong — are what allow her to live today in a free country where she can openly criticize her government’s past. I do not claim to have answers to any of these questions. But I do state that this book is not an objective narrative.
There is also not one single innocent reported among all those Americans who oversaw Operation Paperclip, or those Germans who were recruited by it — no possibility that even a single German involved may have been a conscientious scientist swept up in a militaristic regime in which they knew speaking out would be their own death sentence. The American directors of Operation Paperclip are judged equally guilty for their collaboration. For particularly-disliked Germans she also repeats their same crimes over, and over, and over again. I do not by any means diminish the incredible wrongs that were committed during World War II, but also cannot believe the whole two nations of peoples within Operation Paperclip were intentionally and completely evil, all of the time.
Some lesser issues with this book include an excruciating level of detail in many places. (If you want to know how soft Walter Schieber’s pillow was, this book tells you.) While I don’t speak German, this author’s name pronunciations in the audio book were different from what I’ve heard (repeatedly) elsewhere. And I can tell you that her Spanish pronunciations are incorrect.
Finally, the biggest criticism I saw from other reviewers were the many inaccuracies that others more knowledgeable than I reported. On two very specific topics that I am actually versed in, I found exactly the same thing: “facts” that weren’t quite right, and multiple terms or names that were off by a word or two. If, like me, your interest in space exploration was what drew you to this book, then research Michael J. Neufeld’s review.
In conclusion, unless you are an avid World War II reader I recommend that you leave Operation Paperclip alone — especially if you are also interested in space exploration and don’t want any iconic personages tampered with. If you do decide that you must delve into Operation Paperclip, then look elsewhere than this book — it only tells half the story.
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Reviewed in the United States on February 16, 2019
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Reviewed in the United States on June 28, 2017
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Excellent Study on Post WWII Europe Intelligence Operations
By Theodore Sumrall on June 28, 2017
I especially enjoyed reading this well researched book on the US Post WWII intelligence collection operations which gave us some great benefits in exchange for the carnage and horror WWII inflicted on countless millions. Not a fair exchange I fully agree, however, obtaining this information allowed the USA to win the space race. Having worked at Redstone Arsenal (next to the Marshall Space Flight Center) where the first rockets to carry an American in space were developed, you can see Werner Von Braun's initials on every liquid fueled rocket that has come out of the USA. Without these guys (who the the Paperclip Team offered asylum to), the USSR would have been way ahead of us. One interesting fact is that had Hitler resorted to using the nerve gas agents he had (i.e. Tabun) Germany could have won the war. Why a madman like Hitler did not use it is a mystery. One family relation (my great uncle George Lear shown below) actively participated in this operation. Theodore Sumrall
By Theodore Sumrall on June 28, 2017
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Reviewed in the United States on July 23, 2018
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Top reviews from other countries
Trevor112
Great book, however there's a type of main characters ...
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 21, 2016Verified Purchase
Bookbuyer
Exceptionally well researched
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 14, 2020Verified Purchase
Globe-trotter
Operation Paperclip: a Great Read
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 14, 2014Verified Purchase
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Great read well researched
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Very engaging.
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