A Special Mission, Dan Kurzman
A Special Mission, Dan Kurzman
List: $25.95 | Sale: $18.16
Club: $12.97

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

Author: Dan Kurzman

Narrator: George Wilson

Unabridged: 9 hr 3 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 06/01/2007

Synopsis

In September 1943, Adolf Hitler, furious at the ouster of Mussolini, sent German troops into Rome and ordered SS General Karl Wolff, who had been Heinrich Himmler's chief aide, to occupy the Vatican and kidnap (and perhaps kill) Pope Pius XII. At the same time, plans were being made to deport Rome's Jews to Auschwitz. Wolff began playing a dangerous game: stalling Hitler's plot against the pope, whom he hoped would save him from the noose in case Germany lost the war. To save Pius, Wolff and fellow conspirators blackmailed him into silence when the Jews were rounded up, hoping that Hitler would rescind his order.

About Dan Kurzman

Dan Kurzman was an American journalist and novelist of many military history books. He earned a Bachelor's degree in political science from University of California at Berkeley, worked as an NBC news correspondent in Jerusalem, and worked as the foreign policy correspondent for the Washington Post. In 1965 he received the George Polk award for external reporting. He was also the recipient of the Cornelius Ryan Award.

About George Wilson

George K. Wilson is a working actor in stage, film, television, and commercials with almost one hundred audiobook narrations to his credit. He began in broadcast journalism with American Forces Radio and Television and is a graduate of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. He had a lead role in the cult film classic Attack of the Killer Tomatoes and appeared on television’s One Life to Live, Ryan’s Hope, and The Doctors and has been heard on voice-overs for The Guiding Light and The Cosby Show, as well as many television and radio commercials.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Paul

“A Special Mission, Hitler’s Secret Plot to Seize the Vatican and Kidnap Pope Pius XII”, by Dan Kurzman, published by Da Capo Press. Category – History Publication Date – May 07, 2007 There has been a lot of controversy over the years concerning the role Pope Pius XII played during World War II. The c......more

Goodreads review by Erik

This is by no means a great book, nor is it a definitive study of its topic. It is, however, a well-written chapter of history, accessible to most anyone. I, having some considerable interest in WWII and in the Roman Catholic Church, found it quite engrossing. I picked this book up at the Gail Borden......more

Goodreads review by Adrianna

The premise is intriguing, but the book talks itself in circles. It was an interesting story, was constantly doubling back and re-stating things already said multiple times.......more

Goodreads review by Stefanie

Eugenio Maria Giuseppe Giovanni Pacelli was born in 1876, in Rome, Italy. Several members of his family were involved in the Catholic religious hierarchy. In 1894, he went to study theology at the Almo Collegio Capranica. He was ordained a priest in 1899. He was elected Pope in 1939, changing his na......more

Quotes

“Kurzman does a good job of telling a suspenseful and little-known story of WWII intrigue.” Publishers Weekly

“Wilson reads this WWII history in an even and engaged tone, effortlessly recounting each action of the convoluted plot…unexpected international intrigue.” AudioFile

“This is a compelling read and belongs in every comprehensive World War II collection.” Library Journal

“One of the most extraordinary episodes of [WWII]...This fascinating book is the only one to tell the full...story.” Nottingham Evening Post

Add to Cart
Add to Wish List