Piercing the Reich: The Penetration of Nazi Germany by American Secret Agents in World War II

by Joseph E. Persico

s/t: The Penetration of Nazi Germany by American Secret Agents During World War II
After the success of such offensives as DDay & the Soviet march to the west, the Allies made the mistaken assumption that the 3rd Reich was finished. Then came the autumn of 1944. Hitler rallied with surprising force, driving the Allies back toward Paris. With a long war of attrition & no counterintelligence to speak of, the OSS set out to accomplish what the UK deemed impossible: to penetrate Nazi Germany with a network of spies. Locked away for over 30 years in secret CIA files, here's the true story of how American agents managed to infiltrate the 3rd Reich & shorten the war by months. Based on interviews with surviving operatives & filled with colorful profiles, this book brings to life one of the greatest counterintelligence coups in history--a heroic mission that established the USA as a superpower in international espionage. B&W photos.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, World War II, Espionage, American History, Military History, War

396 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1979

About the author

Joseph E. Persico was the author of Roosevelt’s Secret War: FDR and World War II Espionage; Eleventh Month, Eleventh Day, Eleventh Hour: Armistice Day, 1918–World War I and Its Violent Climax; Piercing the Reich; and Nuremberg: Infamy on Trial, which was made into a television docudrama. He also collaborated with Colin Powell on his autobiography, My American Journey. He lives in Guilderland, New York.

Reviews

[Jenna ( Chicken Mama ) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting Novel.

[Darren Sapp · Rating 4 out of 5]

Only for the diehard WWII spy/history buffs who want much of the behind-the-scenes actions of the Allied’s efforts to thwart the Nazis. A bit dry in parts but plenty of fascinating details.

[Erik Graff · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book isn't rated four stars for being exhaustive, but for being a good read both for its subject matter and for its engaging style and structure. The appeal is that of the adventure novel, this adventure being the penetration of Germany by agents of the O.S.S. during the last months of WWII. One doesn't have to be a great fan of espionage to enjoy it, but some basic knowledge of the war would be helpful.

The author, former ghost writer for Nelson Rockefeller and Colin Powell, structures the book in a very rough chronological order, starting with the creation of a US intelligence service and continuing with the decision to try penetration of the enemy and the attempts to do so with their respective results. Within this structure, Persico follows now one, now another, operation, switching back and forth between stories and ending with general "where are they now" in terms of the first days and months after the war's end.

The author is to be credited for the many original interviews he conducted with surviving participants and for the appendices outlining the operations conducted and the current positions held by those interviewed during his research.

One item which interested me particularly was the contrast between the generally upper class character of the O.S.S. administration and the working class character of the operatives sent behind German lines, many, if not most, being men with socialist and/or communist affiliations.

[Lananorris · Rating 4 out of 5]

First saw this as a documentary on the Military Channel and was completely fascinated. It sent me to the library for the book which is a much more daunting project. The first 3-4 chapters which establish the story of the OSS and intelligence gathering during WWII are really good...beyond that I got really bogged down in the minutae. Persico is obviously much more detail oriented than I am...I wanted him to continue to tell a story based on historical facts and he wanted to write a thoroughly researched and referenced tome that must certainly set the standard for the subject matter! Still, Piercing The Reich serves its purpose well and is worth the read if you are interested in WWII spy stuff...but seek out the documentary...all of the information in a much quicker and more entertaining presentation.

[Smitty · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't know why I hadn't come across the book before since it was published in 1979, but it's still an engrossing read, rich in characters and historical context. I had lived in England for 5 years, so I was able to reminisce on the US air wings based there during WWII. Thought it was a fine book in its details, save for the wrap-up, which I thought was a bit brief - each of the agent's exploits could be a book unto themselves.

[Chase · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent historical resource. This gave me another good view of the life of WWll spies! It is written about the espionage campaigns that are not usually talked about: from 1944. You say the war was over? No, it looked as if it would go on for many years after...to find out what happened, pick up the book!

[Missie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the subject of WWII secret agents getting into Germany and helping with the war effort but I found the organization of the book difficult. With so many people to follow I think taking one chapter to focus on one mission from start to finish would have been easier and more rewarding for me as the reader. Then I may not have needed to take notes like I was back in college.

[Ty · Rating 2 out of 5]

A wealth of information, but not always the easiest read. It was hard to keep all of the agents', officers', and directors' straight. I did enjoy the, often brutal, details about the missions behind enemy lines.

[Nancy Lou · Rating 3 out of 5]

fascinating, but many names to remember

[Mark Singer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting look at attempts, both successful and not, by the World War II American spy agency known as the OSS to penetrate Nazi occupied Europe during World War II.