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Hitler's Spy Chief

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Hitler's Spy Chief

By: Richard Bassett
Narrated by: Mark Topping
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About this listen

How Hitler's spy chief sabotaged the German war effort.

Wilhelm Canaris was appointed by Hitler to head the Abwehr (the German secret service) 18 months after the Nazis came to power. But Canaris turned against the Fuhrer and the Nazi regime, believing that Hitler would start a war Germany could not win. In 1938 he was involved in an attempted coup, undermined by British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain. In 1940 he sabotaged the German plan to invade England and fed General Franco vital information that helped him keep Spain out of the war.

For years he played a dangerous double game, desperately trying to keep one step ahead of the Gestapo. The SS chief, Heinrich Himmler, became suspicious of the Abwehr and by 1944, when Abwehr personnel were involved in the attempted assassination of Hitler, he had the evidence to arrest Canaris himself. Canaris was executed a few weeks before the end of the war.

©2006 Richard Bassett (P)2017 Audible, Ltd Espionage Europe Germany Historical Military Military & War Politicians Politics & Activism True Crime World War II War Imperialism Middle Ages Royalty Winston Churchill Interwar Period

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All stars
Most relevant
Excellent insight into the dilemma of men trapped on the wrong side of history.

What would you do if you realised you were on the wrong side?

Our hats have skulls on.

Excellent, insight

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A detailed history of how British Intelligence worked with German Military Intelligence before and during WW2 to secure peace or the defeat of Germany. Some stunning revelations. The authors frequent use of "England" when he means the UK is both ignorant and irritating. Other than that it's a great piece of work.

Incredible story of Intelligence in WW2

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I’ve always thought that I knew a lot about WWII .
However, I learnt, after listening to this book that my knowledge was limited to the basic conflict/battles and the wider strategic issues - this book introduced me to the little-known “cloak-and -dagger” world of spies, intelligence and counter intelligence.

I was shattered to find out that the German and British intelligence arms kept in contact with one another throughout the war!

I learnt that the Germans were partnering with the Japanese on submarine development prior to WWII.

I learnt how fatal the Allies’ demand for an “unconditional surrender” has been - it destroyed any chance of a negotiated peace that Germans, like Canaris, were seeking.

I learnt about the extent of the German generals’ reluctance to go to war had been ... from the outset!!

I learnt that Admiral Canaris was a great and very brave man who risked his life daily at doing what he thought would save his Germany.

I’m not sure if there’s a statue of Canaris in Germany, but there should be ... and it should be a big one!!!

An excellent book, well-researched and loaded with interesting (and new) WWII facts!

Amazing! The Inside Track on WWII Intelligence!

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The story of the main character of the book is by its very nature secretive, he was after all the head of Hitler's spy ring, so we shouldn't be surprised that very little hard evidence or facts are available to the writer. if you accept a lot of the suppositions gleaned from the sparse facts, then this is a very interesting expose of the attitudes towards a peaceful solution to WW2 of the UK, the USA and the USSR.

Historical story with lots of supposition

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Brilliant book about a wonderful historical figure. Rather politically heavy, explaining canaris’ complex role in WW2. But very enjoyable!

Wilhelm Canaris

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