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A Spy at the Heart of the Third Reich: The Extraordinary Story of Fritz Kolbe, America's Most Important Spy in World War II
In 1943 a young official from the German foreign ministry contacted Allen Dulles, an OSS officer in Switzerland who would later head the Central Intelligence Agency. That man was Fritz Kolbe, who had decided to betray his country after years of opposing Nazism. While Dulles was skeptical, Kolbe's information was such that he eventually admitted, "No single diplomat abroad, of whatever rank, could have got his hands on so much information as did this man; he was one of my most valuable agents during World War II." Using recently declassified materials at the U.S. National Archives and Kolbe's personal papers, Lucas Delattre has produced a work of remarkable scholarship that moves with the swift pace of a Le Carré thriller.
418 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 28, 2004
454 people are currently reading
930 people want to read
About the author
Lucas Delattre
6 books9 followersLucas Delattre is Professor of Communication/Media/Digital at Institut Français de la Mode (www.ifm-paris.com), and is a graduate of the Ecole Normale Supérieure (http://www.ens.fr/, class of 1985, arts/history), and also has a Media and Communication Masters from ESCP Europe (www.escpeurope.eu), 1989.
He worked as a foreign correspondent and journalist in Germany from 1989 to 1997 (Le Monde) and then on the foreign desk at Le Monde in Paris from 1997 to 2001. He was deputy editor of Le Monde des Débats (2001). He was head of the Paris office of the Conseil de l'Europe from 2002 to 2005.
Since 2006, he has been in charge of communications for IFM.
He has written "Une envie de politique", entretiens avec Dany Cohn-Bendit et Guy Herzlich (La Découverte, 1998), and "Fritz Kolbe, A Spy at the Heart of the Third Reich" (Grove Atlantic, 2004).
He worked as a foreign correspondent and journalist in Germany from 1989 to 1997 (Le Monde) and then on the foreign desk at Le Monde in Paris from 1997 to 2001. He was deputy editor of Le Monde des Débats (2001). He was head of the Paris office of the Conseil de l'Europe from 2002 to 2005.
Since 2006, he has been in charge of communications for IFM.
He has written "Une envie de politique", entretiens avec Dany Cohn-Bendit et Guy Herzlich (La Découverte, 1998), and "Fritz Kolbe, A Spy at the Heart of the Third Reich" (Grove Atlantic, 2004).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews
September 20, 2022
A Spy at the Heart of the Third Reich: The Extraordinary Story of Fritz Kolbe, America's Most Important Spy in World War II by Lucas Delattre was written based on government documents declassified in 1998 and the personal archives of Fritz Kolbe. During the Third Reich workers were strongly encouraged to join the Nazi party in order to enhance career advancement, or to avoid stalling your career. In this environment, Fritz Kolbe, a worker in the Foreign Ministry, declined to join after seeing what was really going on with respect to non-Aryan people. Like the general population in Germany, he was initially a supporter as the economy improved under Hitler and personal lives of the Germans improved. But the more he learned, the more he was disillusioned and started looking for a way out including leaving Germany. Then he began to realize that he was seeing valuable information about the critical operations of the Reich, information that would be valuable to the allies to help them bring about an end to the war. Of course, if he were caught, it would mean certain death. How he goes about initially making contact and being verified by the allies that he was for real, is a story in itself. It follows Fritz after the war and the struggles he had to try to get work, especially in Germany where former Nazis had been released and were in charge of hiring for government jobs because he was blacklisted. Fascination true story of a man who helped bring about a quicker end to the war. Highly recommended!
July 12, 2017
Damn good history lesson and incredible story of non-fiction. I have heard of Allen Dulles and Bill Donovan of course but not the spy Fritz Kolbe. FK literally and almost singlehandedly sped up the end of WWII. I also didn't realize that Switzerland played such a large part for both sides as a neutral country. One might say the Swiss were good guys and others not so much. In any event, the story moves quickly and highly recommend the audiobook....outstanding.
January 4, 2024
While this book contains important and interesting information, it reads like a history textbook. I expected this book would be similar to the non-fiction book "A Woman of No Importance" by Sonia Purnell, especially given its title, but it didn't even come close.
I had no connection to the main character. Chapters and scenes that could have been very suspenseful and engaging for the reader simply fell flat. Furthermore, the large section of notes in the back of the book were not useful, particularly since there is no reference to them in the main text. Overall, this book was a rather dull read and I had to struggle to finish it.
Having said that, the book does serve as important as historical documentation about a significant spy serving the Allies during WWII, which is why it earned 3 stars from me instead of two.
I had no connection to the main character. Chapters and scenes that could have been very suspenseful and engaging for the reader simply fell flat. Furthermore, the large section of notes in the back of the book were not useful, particularly since there is no reference to them in the main text. Overall, this book was a rather dull read and I had to struggle to finish it.
Having said that, the book does serve as important as historical documentation about a significant spy serving the Allies during WWII, which is why it earned 3 stars from me instead of two.
March 2, 2022
One of the reasons the resistance to Nazism within Germany itself was so meager was the refusal of the Allies to support the men and women who opposed Hitler. Still, many brave souls persisted nonetheless, hoping to overturn the Third Reich and reach a peace agreement with the Americans and British. But the Allies demanded unconditional surrender, and there were few in Germany who could countenance the utter destruction of the land they loved. One of those few exceptional individuals was a mid-level official in the German Foreign Ministry named Fritz Kolbe—and he became the top American spy in the war. In A Spy at the Heart of the Third Reich, French journalist Lucas Delattre tells the astonishing story of Kolbe’s three-year work funneling top-secret documents from Berlin to the CIA in Bern, Switzerland.
A BIOGRAPHY OF A REMARKABLE MAN
Although he was only five-foot-seven, Fritz Kolbe (1900-71) was a fanatical sportsman. He was also a charming man, a ladies’ man. He possessed little ambition beyond the confines of his job in the Foreign Ministry. But sometime shortly after Adolf Hitler came to power in 1933, he had developed one overwhelming desire: to do whatever was in his power to overturn the Nazi regime.
Kolbe was reckless and outspoken, writing anti-Nazi leaflets, speculating about sabotage with his friends, and fantasizing about a “people’s militia.” Somehow, though, he never came to the attention of the Gestapo. Others in his circle were caught, but not Kolbe. The dilemma weighed on him: they were accomplishing nothing of consequence but losing lives in the process. Eventually, he determined to take the most effective step he could to undermine the Third Reich: deliver its secrets to the Allies. “‘Treason? So be it,’ he said to himself after a point that cannot be precisely located (probably late 1942 or early 1943).”
THE TOP AMERICAN SPY IN WORLD WAR II
A convinced anti-Communist, Kolbe had no interest in working with the Soviet Union. He turned first to the British. Despite showing them a bundle of top-secret material, they turned him down flat. Like so many in intelligence circles, they were paranoid and were convinced he was acting on behalf of the Abwehr. Discouraged but determined, Kolbe spent weeks seeking a path to the Americans. If MI6 wouldn’t have him, then perhaps the OSS had more sense. Eventually, following a complex and risky route through friends, Kolbe found his way to Allen Dulles in Bern. The former corporate lawyer headed the OSS mission in Switzerland. At first, he too was skeptical. But the obviously sensitive nature of the documents Kolbe handed over and the man’s passion and sincerity convinced him to take a chance.
FOR MONTHS, THEY WOULDN’T BELIEVE HIM
Dulles sent the diplomatic cables from Kolbe to his superiors, which in turn handed them on to OSS counterespionage. They in turn delivered the documents to MI6, where the agency’s vice-director, Lt. Col. Claude Dansey, led a fine-toothed examination of the details they contained. Unfortunately, Dansey detested Allen Dulles—as did many in British intelligence—and adamantly refused to believe that the American could possibly come up with such important material if it were genuine. And, as Dulles was informed by his superiors late in April 1943, “all news from Bern these days in being discounted 100% by the War Department.”
Suspicions raised both within OSS and in MI6 prevented the Allies from acting on much of the information Kolbe provided for nearly a year. And this was a man who spent extended periods in the Wolf’s Lair in East Prussia in close proximity to Hitler, Goering, Goebbels, and other top Nazis and overheard blood-curdling conversations among them.
“THE VERY BEST ALLIED AGENT IN WORLD WAR II”
“In the last two years of World War II,” Delattre writes, “‘George Wood” (Kolbe’s OSS alias) brought to the Allies no fewer than 2,600 secret documents from Hitler’s Foreign Office, some of them of the highest importance. Eisenhower called him one of the most valuable agents we had during the entire war.” Others went further. “In his memoirs, published in April 2003, Richard Helms, former director of the CIA (and a senior official in the OSS in the war], pays tribute to him by emphasizing that “‘Kolbe’s information is now recognized as the very best produced by any Allied agent in World War II.'” He was, indeed, the top American spy.
“KOLBE WAS LIKE A MAGICIAN”
“Kolbe was like a magician pulling dozens of surprises out of his sleeve,” Delattre notes. “Strategic revelations (‘how the Spanish are delivering tungsten to the Germans,’ ‘planned retreat of German troops as far as the Dnieper,’ ‘German and Japanese submarines at the Cape of Good Hope’) . . . [and] indications on the locations of industrial sites worth bombing (“the Telefunken factory in Lichterfelde, near Berlin, which provides precision equipment to the Luftwaffe’).” Kolbe successfully identified many of the industrial sites most critical to the Reich’s production of aircraft and other war materiel. But he revealed strategically important information, too. For example, Spanish tungsten was “a strategic material that the German armaments industry desperately needed.” Had the Allies acted on all this information, it’s not difficult to imagine that they might have shortened the war by months.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Lucas Delattre‘s bio on Goodreads notes that he is a Professor of Communication/Media/Digital at the Institut Français de la Mode (IFM) and a graduate of the Ecole Normale Supérieure, class of 1985, in arts and history. He also received a Media and Communication Masters from ESCP Europe in 1989. Delattre worked as a foreign correspondent and journalist in Germany from 1989 to 1997 for Le Monde and then on the foreign desk at Le Monde in Paris from 1997 to 2001. He was deputy editor of Le Monde des Débats in 2001 and then head of the Paris office of the Conseil de l’Europe from 2002 to 2005. Since 2006, Delattre has been in charge of communications for IFM.
A BIOGRAPHY OF A REMARKABLE MAN
Although he was only five-foot-seven, Fritz Kolbe (1900-71) was a fanatical sportsman. He was also a charming man, a ladies’ man. He possessed little ambition beyond the confines of his job in the Foreign Ministry. But sometime shortly after Adolf Hitler came to power in 1933, he had developed one overwhelming desire: to do whatever was in his power to overturn the Nazi regime.
Kolbe was reckless and outspoken, writing anti-Nazi leaflets, speculating about sabotage with his friends, and fantasizing about a “people’s militia.” Somehow, though, he never came to the attention of the Gestapo. Others in his circle were caught, but not Kolbe. The dilemma weighed on him: they were accomplishing nothing of consequence but losing lives in the process. Eventually, he determined to take the most effective step he could to undermine the Third Reich: deliver its secrets to the Allies. “‘Treason? So be it,’ he said to himself after a point that cannot be precisely located (probably late 1942 or early 1943).”
THE TOP AMERICAN SPY IN WORLD WAR II
A convinced anti-Communist, Kolbe had no interest in working with the Soviet Union. He turned first to the British. Despite showing them a bundle of top-secret material, they turned him down flat. Like so many in intelligence circles, they were paranoid and were convinced he was acting on behalf of the Abwehr. Discouraged but determined, Kolbe spent weeks seeking a path to the Americans. If MI6 wouldn’t have him, then perhaps the OSS had more sense. Eventually, following a complex and risky route through friends, Kolbe found his way to Allen Dulles in Bern. The former corporate lawyer headed the OSS mission in Switzerland. At first, he too was skeptical. But the obviously sensitive nature of the documents Kolbe handed over and the man’s passion and sincerity convinced him to take a chance.
FOR MONTHS, THEY WOULDN’T BELIEVE HIM
Dulles sent the diplomatic cables from Kolbe to his superiors, which in turn handed them on to OSS counterespionage. They in turn delivered the documents to MI6, where the agency’s vice-director, Lt. Col. Claude Dansey, led a fine-toothed examination of the details they contained. Unfortunately, Dansey detested Allen Dulles—as did many in British intelligence—and adamantly refused to believe that the American could possibly come up with such important material if it were genuine. And, as Dulles was informed by his superiors late in April 1943, “all news from Bern these days in being discounted 100% by the War Department.”
Suspicions raised both within OSS and in MI6 prevented the Allies from acting on much of the information Kolbe provided for nearly a year. And this was a man who spent extended periods in the Wolf’s Lair in East Prussia in close proximity to Hitler, Goering, Goebbels, and other top Nazis and overheard blood-curdling conversations among them.
“THE VERY BEST ALLIED AGENT IN WORLD WAR II”
“In the last two years of World War II,” Delattre writes, “‘George Wood” (Kolbe’s OSS alias) brought to the Allies no fewer than 2,600 secret documents from Hitler’s Foreign Office, some of them of the highest importance. Eisenhower called him one of the most valuable agents we had during the entire war.” Others went further. “In his memoirs, published in April 2003, Richard Helms, former director of the CIA (and a senior official in the OSS in the war], pays tribute to him by emphasizing that “‘Kolbe’s information is now recognized as the very best produced by any Allied agent in World War II.'” He was, indeed, the top American spy.
“KOLBE WAS LIKE A MAGICIAN”
“Kolbe was like a magician pulling dozens of surprises out of his sleeve,” Delattre notes. “Strategic revelations (‘how the Spanish are delivering tungsten to the Germans,’ ‘planned retreat of German troops as far as the Dnieper,’ ‘German and Japanese submarines at the Cape of Good Hope’) . . . [and] indications on the locations of industrial sites worth bombing (“the Telefunken factory in Lichterfelde, near Berlin, which provides precision equipment to the Luftwaffe’).” Kolbe successfully identified many of the industrial sites most critical to the Reich’s production of aircraft and other war materiel. But he revealed strategically important information, too. For example, Spanish tungsten was “a strategic material that the German armaments industry desperately needed.” Had the Allies acted on all this information, it’s not difficult to imagine that they might have shortened the war by months.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Lucas Delattre‘s bio on Goodreads notes that he is a Professor of Communication/Media/Digital at the Institut Français de la Mode (IFM) and a graduate of the Ecole Normale Supérieure, class of 1985, in arts and history. He also received a Media and Communication Masters from ESCP Europe in 1989. Delattre worked as a foreign correspondent and journalist in Germany from 1989 to 1997 for Le Monde and then on the foreign desk at Le Monde in Paris from 1997 to 2001. He was deputy editor of Le Monde des Débats in 2001 and then head of the Paris office of the Conseil de l’Europe from 2002 to 2005. Since 2006, Delattre has been in charge of communications for IFM.
June 27, 2018
When an individual decides to put his personal morality above the corrupt needs of the Nazi state you get people like Fritz Kolbe. Lucas Delattre's fascinating book about Kolbe, one of the highest-level Germans in the Nazi government to spy for the Allies, is a portrait in courage. The author has done a very good job of illustrating the dangers Kolbe encountered as he smuggled information to the Allies during the height of World War II. The author doesn't stop there, however, but goes on to explain how Kolbe was shunned by German government officials after the war and blackballed despite his heroic actions. It is encouraging that some in Germany were not blinded by Hitler's nationalistic tactics and discovered the moral bankruptcy of the government. The only question is why there weren't more people like him.
June 20, 2012
The best spy biography from World War II. One single thing describes it all about Fritz Kolbe - a real spy is the one that works against a nation because of his/her principles, not for money or any other personal motive...
April 9, 2025
4.75⭐
September 12, 2019
An amazing story 9f courage and perseverance
Fritz Kolbe could not tolerate the Nazis, their ideology and their actions. For several years he sought ways to free the German people from the madness of Hitler's regime in his position as a low level emp.oyee of the German Foreign ministry. His story is one of unshakeable personal sacrifice as he bravely carrie's Nazi secrets to the head if American intelligence in Bern Switzerland, one Allan Dulles, who ultimately became director of the CIA.
The author makes a significant historical contribution as he lays out his well-documented story of s man who not only did not become subservient to the stifling Hitler regime but often and frequently risked his life to smuggle vital information to the Allied effort to defeat Mazi Germany.
Throughout Kolbe`s career his work is often not believed or is trivialized, yet with the stalwart support of Allan Dulles, he continues his self-imposed mission to rid his country of Hitler's destructive reign. It is remarkable to note that he wanted no compensation for his painstaking efforts to funnel the most information possible to the Allies. He sacrifices his family life to his calling, never getting to know his son Peter whom he left in South Africa with friends.
Kolbe early on had an ability to get along with and form friendships with multiple people who knowingly or unknowingly helped him with his crucial wartime work. After the war Kolbe faces rejection and indifference yet diggedly keeps trying to help post-war Germany rid itself of the Nazi poison.
The author has done an outstanding job of presenting this deeply researched yet highly readable work. At times in the book when he lacks necessary factual detail, he doesn't fudge , it but admits a detail is missing in the narrative. Perhaps ironically, Fritz' s "estranged" son provided the author with a wealth of documents, letters, etc to help tell his fathers story.. The historical accuracy of this well told story is backed up by a monumental amount of very readable footnotes at book's end.
This reviewer cannot praise highly enough this "labor of love that should bring more attention to an "ordinary man " who took on and weakened a monster machine,
Fritz Kolbe could not tolerate the Nazis, their ideology and their actions. For several years he sought ways to free the German people from the madness of Hitler's regime in his position as a low level emp.oyee of the German Foreign ministry. His story is one of unshakeable personal sacrifice as he bravely carrie's Nazi secrets to the head if American intelligence in Bern Switzerland, one Allan Dulles, who ultimately became director of the CIA.
The author makes a significant historical contribution as he lays out his well-documented story of s man who not only did not become subservient to the stifling Hitler regime but often and frequently risked his life to smuggle vital information to the Allied effort to defeat Mazi Germany.
Throughout Kolbe`s career his work is often not believed or is trivialized, yet with the stalwart support of Allan Dulles, he continues his self-imposed mission to rid his country of Hitler's destructive reign. It is remarkable to note that he wanted no compensation for his painstaking efforts to funnel the most information possible to the Allies. He sacrifices his family life to his calling, never getting to know his son Peter whom he left in South Africa with friends.
Kolbe early on had an ability to get along with and form friendships with multiple people who knowingly or unknowingly helped him with his crucial wartime work. After the war Kolbe faces rejection and indifference yet diggedly keeps trying to help post-war Germany rid itself of the Nazi poison.
The author has done an outstanding job of presenting this deeply researched yet highly readable work. At times in the book when he lacks necessary factual detail, he doesn't fudge , it but admits a detail is missing in the narrative. Perhaps ironically, Fritz' s "estranged" son provided the author with a wealth of documents, letters, etc to help tell his fathers story.. The historical accuracy of this well told story is backed up by a monumental amount of very readable footnotes at book's end.
This reviewer cannot praise highly enough this "labor of love that should bring more attention to an "ordinary man " who took on and weakened a monster machine,
September 2, 2019
The result of a seriously deep dive into more recently released classified intelligence, Kolbe's story is well told and a revelation on the foundations of US intelligence as driven by Allen Dulles. Kolbe was an uncomplicated man given to both heroic actions and very human flaws. An accidental spy, Kolbe was driven by an unwaving anti-Nazi stance, though not an overly sophisticated embrace of dogma or prior training. As a "volunteer spy," his credibility was underestimated by many in US and British circles but not Dulles, who was willing to patiently evaluation the validity of his product. While any number of family relationships suffered, throughout his missions he remained loyal and engaged with a number longtime friends. Sadly, his post-war experiences reflect the lack of acknowledgement of his contributions as well as his uneven adjustment to the transformed US and European societies. This book thoroughly seeks to remedy these oversights.
June 12, 2023
Fascinating!
This was the most fascinating book on WWII that I have ever read. It has a sweeping behind-the-scenes perspective particularly on the operations of the Germans, as well as the Americans and the British. It reads like a novel, following the life of Fritz Kolbe as he moved from diplomatic posts in Spain and South Africa to Berlin, eventually taking great risks to ferry thousands of documents from the Nazis’ Foreign Affairs department and even from Hitler’s “Wolf’s Lair” to the Allies in Bern, Switzerland. As interesting as the broad and deep perspective on the lead-up to and waging of the war and its effects within Germany was the portrayal of the personalities and human nature of the people involved, based on interviews and extensive research. This book brought the Second World War to life for me in a way that most histories don’t.
This was the most fascinating book on WWII that I have ever read. It has a sweeping behind-the-scenes perspective particularly on the operations of the Germans, as well as the Americans and the British. It reads like a novel, following the life of Fritz Kolbe as he moved from diplomatic posts in Spain and South Africa to Berlin, eventually taking great risks to ferry thousands of documents from the Nazis’ Foreign Affairs department and even from Hitler’s “Wolf’s Lair” to the Allies in Bern, Switzerland. As interesting as the broad and deep perspective on the lead-up to and waging of the war and its effects within Germany was the portrayal of the personalities and human nature of the people involved, based on interviews and extensive research. This book brought the Second World War to life for me in a way that most histories don’t.
July 1, 2019
This is an important book about the success of American and British spying during World War II. Fritz Kolbe came to their organizations voluntarily, and used his position in the German government to supply them with large amounts of information not obtainable from any other source. Allen Dulles was stationed in Bern, Switzerland for the OSS, predecessor to the CIA, and he had a relationship with Kolbe that lasted for many years. It was difficult for the allies to believe that Kolbe didn't want anything in return for his information. He wanted to get rid of the Nazis and end the war. There are people in the world who want to do the right thing and are willing to put their lives on the line for what they believe in. That gives us hope for the future.
July 31, 2019
His code name was "George," his bravery unsurpassed, his nationality, German.... his reward?...having to be called a traitor to Germany by his fellow Germans after World War II for providing the Allies with vital information that greatly aided the end of World War II in both the European sector and the Pacific sector. The United States did not come to his aid after he risked his life to bring these Nazi secrets to Allan Dulles in Switzerland. I learned so much more about the truth behind the WWII events....and "George" never let the accusations or the forgetful USA deter him from living out his principals. Bittersweet at the end, but worth the read if you are even a bit interested in World War II true stories. I am a WWII groupie, and, for me, this was a 5 star book.
December 17, 2020
This book is a really fascinating (true) story about Fritz Kolbe who is an American spy who works in the Nazi Foreign Ministry and secretly feeds vital information to the Americans that quite possibly turned the war in favor of the Allies. I quite liked this book because it filled me up on a lot of important information about the war I had never even heard of. One thing I thought this author did very well was making sure every important opinion was heard. The reason this book doesn't get a full 5/5 was it wasn't written amazingly but was still an enjoyable read. I would recommend this book to any WW2 nerd or anyone who likes historical fiction and/or espionage themed stories.
April 1, 2021
Fritz Kolbe was an interesting man, a German official in the Reich's foreign ministry, who did his best to help the Allies via the American OSS in Bern. Much of the information he passed on was of great use. The British were less enthusiastic than the Americans (Allen Dulles was his contact) because, unknown to the Americans (and either unknown or ignored by the writer), acting on some of the information might have given away the secret that they had broken Germany's Enigma code, or so says Nigel West in a review I found on the internet. Whatever. Kolbe's story is very interesting and it's about time someone finally wrote about it (the book was published in 2003).
November 22, 2021
A very well-written book about the fascinating story of Fritz Kolbe and his attempts to fight back against Hitler and the National Socialist government of Germany.
It is unfortunate that Kolbe's story is not more well-known. He was incredibly courageous as he fought back against the regime to save his country from them and the war they started.
This book also shows again the ineptitude and egocentric beliefs that have riddled and hurt intelligence agencies throughout history.
A great read for history lovers.
It is unfortunate that Kolbe's story is not more well-known. He was incredibly courageous as he fought back against the regime to save his country from them and the war they started.
This book also shows again the ineptitude and egocentric beliefs that have riddled and hurt intelligence agencies throughout history.
A great read for history lovers.
January 4, 2018
It is a great story for a time of WW2 its crazy to think that one of the Nazis highest officials is a spy for the allies. its cool to hear the story of Fritz Kolbe who was doing a ¨Quiet Resistance¨ and is amazing that he was one of the main reasons for the winning of the war. I couldn't believe that his story was all just forgotten after his death.
January 6, 2019
Fritz Kolbe
Provides a different perspective on the latter years of WWII in Europe. Interesting thoughts by Kolbe on how the war could have ended sooner which would have held pack the Russians and their barbaric ways.
To a degree I feel for Kolbe who could not catch a break at the end of hostilities by either the Allies or the new Germany.
A great read.
Provides a different perspective on the latter years of WWII in Europe. Interesting thoughts by Kolbe on how the war could have ended sooner which would have held pack the Russians and their barbaric ways.
To a degree I feel for Kolbe who could not catch a break at the end of hostilities by either the Allies or the new Germany.
A great read.
November 18, 2020
Real Story of a Real Spy
“George Wood” was perhaps the most American important spy in Germany in WW2 and this is the story of what he did and why. It is also the story of his life and the intelligence he provided with the unknowns and uncertainties of historical events. When you feel a major series of historical events are know sit down with this book and a good scotch
“George Wood” was perhaps the most American important spy in Germany in WW2 and this is the story of what he did and why. It is also the story of his life and the intelligence he provided with the unknowns and uncertainties of historical events. When you feel a major series of historical events are know sit down with this book and a good scotch
May 12, 2021
A steady story, not overly suspenseful or dramatic which is sort of like the key character. It was difficult to pick up on how impactful his results were while reading. No doubt a very courageous and dangerous affair which took a prolific amount of material to the allies. Wish the book had had a bit more ‘pop’.
November 8, 2021
Intriguing tale of an unsung hero.
A fascinating and inspiring story of an imperfect man that accomplished a great deal. He likely saving thousands of lives, motivated by personal convictions. It's good he wasn't looking for fame or fortune because it seems he got none of either!
A fascinating and inspiring story of an imperfect man that accomplished a great deal. He likely saving thousands of lives, motivated by personal convictions. It's good he wasn't looking for fame or fortune because it seems he got none of either!
May 30, 2019
World War II.Story
This is an interesting book. It tells the story of Fritze Kolbe who took great.risks to spy for the allies because he was anti
Nazi. After the war it took him ten years to get a job..in Germany because he was not considered.trustworthy.
This is an interesting book. It tells the story of Fritze Kolbe who took great.risks to spy for the allies because he was anti
Nazi. After the war it took him ten years to get a job..in Germany because he was not considered.trustworthy.
November 9, 2019
Excellent true story. Of a dedicated spy. A must read for any history buff.
A brave unrewarded man who gave his all to the Allies in WWII. His service to our country should never be forgotten.
A brave unrewarded man who gave his all to the Allies in WWII. His service to our country should never be forgotten.
January 9, 2021
Nice guys...finish last
This is an extremely well-researched account of heroic actions taken by Fritz Kolbe during WWII. Shamefully, the American government failed this resistance fighter.
This is an extremely well-researched account of heroic actions taken by Fritz Kolbe during WWII. Shamefully, the American government failed this resistance fighter.
March 13, 2021
Surprised!
I am a self educated historian. This story was a part of study in WWII that should have been told after the war. Food for thought on is one a traitor or a patriot to work to defeat his government.
I am a self educated historian. This story was a part of study in WWII that should have been told after the war. Food for thought on is one a traitor or a patriot to work to defeat his government.
March 26, 2021
It was important for me to read about how Fritz Kolbe, a German citizen and working in the Nazi foreign ministry, opposed Nazism by handing secret documents to the Americans. He was a brave man who didn't receive enough recognition for his courageous work.
May 18, 2021
Learned a lot
At first I was not very interested in this book but as I got further into it I became more interested in it. I had no I idea about German espionage (for the allies) which is why I chose this book in first place .
At first I was not very interested in this book but as I got further into it I became more interested in it. I had no I idea about German espionage (for the allies) which is why I chose this book in first place .
May 26, 2021
I enjoyed the story, but some of the details and how it was told seemed lacking. After reading some very thrilling real world spy novels, there is not much tension in this. If you want to know what happened this covers it. Just not in a very exciting way.
August 5, 2021
This book is one of the best spy stories of the war and Fritz Kolbe was a spy for moral reasons not money or to save himself from crimes he was a hero his story should be a move or a mini series this is an amazing story
August 29, 2021
very interesting. A little confusing at times. Enjoyed the view of the German people on the Nazis. They suffered during WWII. The book followed the invasions of so many countries by the Gastapo & Nazis. This book took you into Germany during the war.
November 24, 2021
Interesting Story
I was not aware of this man and his job he did during WW2. I enjoyed the story and the amazing information furnished by this courageous spy and how it affected the outcome of the war.
I was not aware of this man and his job he did during WW2. I enjoyed the story and the amazing information furnished by this courageous spy and how it affected the outcome of the war.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews