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Hollywood vs. Nazis: How the Movie Studios Took On Nazis Infiltrating Los Angeles
The true story of Hitler's plot to turn Hollywood's Dream Factory into a Nazi propaganda machine--and the Jewish moguls' clandestine operation to sabotage the Reich's insidious reach.
World War II began at Hollywood and Vine.
From the moment Hitler took power in Germany in 1933, there was no American city he wanted to rule more than Los Angeles. Control the moviemaking capital of the world and Hitler could control the message that came out of it: As clear as black and white, America and all of Europe would see him as a hero and Jews as the villains. That the industry was run by Jewish men--Adolph Zukor, Sam Goldwyn, David O. Selznick, and the Warner brothers, among them--would make his victory all the sweeter.
Unfortunately for Hitler, he had no idea who he was dealing with or what he up against in the City of Angels. Recognizing the threat, the movie moguls pooled their resources and financed a clandestine operation to subvert the sabotage. Their teams of undercover spies would infiltrate the German-American pro-Hitler organizations already gestating in Southern California and take out the vile Nazi agents of chaos one by one--by any means necessary. This mission to protect the American way would span a decade.
Unfolding like a real-life World War II espionage thriller, and as explosive as nitrate, Hollywood vs. Nazis is one the most fascinating chapters in heroic American history--and true movie lore--ever told.
World War II began at Hollywood and Vine.
From the moment Hitler took power in Germany in 1933, there was no American city he wanted to rule more than Los Angeles. Control the moviemaking capital of the world and Hitler could control the message that came out of it: As clear as black and white, America and all of Europe would see him as a hero and Jews as the villains. That the industry was run by Jewish men--Adolph Zukor, Sam Goldwyn, David O. Selznick, and the Warner brothers, among them--would make his victory all the sweeter.
Unfortunately for Hitler, he had no idea who he was dealing with or what he up against in the City of Angels. Recognizing the threat, the movie moguls pooled their resources and financed a clandestine operation to subvert the sabotage. Their teams of undercover spies would infiltrate the German-American pro-Hitler organizations already gestating in Southern California and take out the vile Nazi agents of chaos one by one--by any means necessary. This mission to protect the American way would span a decade.
Unfolding like a real-life World War II espionage thriller, and as explosive as nitrate, Hollywood vs. Nazis is one the most fascinating chapters in heroic American history--and true movie lore--ever told.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published March 31, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
April 2, 2026
Hollywood vs. Nazis: How the Movie Studios Took On Nazis Infiltrating Los Angeles by Michael Benson is a gripping, fast-paced nonfiction account that reads like a real-life espionage thriller set in the glamorous yet perilous world of pre-WWII Hollywood.
Benson, a prolific author of history and true crime books, shines a spotlight on a lesser-known chapter of American history: Nazi Germany's concerted efforts to infiltrate and co-opt the Hollywood film industry as a propaganda tool in the 1930s, and the bold, often clandestine countermeasures taken by Jewish studio moguls and their allies.The Core StoryThe book details how, as Hitler consolidated power, the Nazi regime sought to influence or suppress Hollywood productions that portrayed Germany negatively. They pressured studios through export bans, planted sympathizers and spies in Los Angeles (including among German expatriates and local fascist groups), and even attempted to cultivate pro-Nazi sentiment on the West Coast. In response, powerful figures like the Warner brothers, Louis B. Mayer, and other industry leaders—many of them Jewish immigrants who had fled pogroms in Europe—recognized the existential threat not just to their business but to democratic values and their community.Rather than waiting for government action, they pooled resources to fund private intelligence operations, infiltrators into Nazi cells, and lobbying efforts. This included monitoring and disrupting pro-Nazi activities in Los Angeles while producing early anti-Nazi films (sometimes at great financial and political risk, given isolationist sentiments in America). Benson frames it as a high-stakes shadow war: moguls versus Bundists, spies, and appeasers, unfolding against the backdrop of glitzy premieres, backroom deals, and the looming shadow of world war.
Strengths Narrative Drive: Benson writes with a cinematic flair, structuring chapters like scenes in a blockbuster. The pacing is brisk, with vivid character portraits of both heroes (the studio heads and their operatives) and villains (Nazi agents and their American enablers). It avoids dry academic prose, making complex historical events accessible and engaging.
Fresh Historical Ground: While the broad strokes of Hollywood's role in WWII propaganda are familiar, the specific story of Nazi infiltration attempts in Los Angeles and the moguls' proactive, extra-legal responses feels under-told. Benson draws on archival material, declassified documents, and contemporary accounts to bring it to life.
Relevance: The book resonates today, highlighting themes of foreign interference in media, the tension between profit and principle in entertainment, and the dangers of political extremism infiltrating cultural institutions.
CriticismsSome readers may find the "Hollywood blockbuster treatment" a bit too stylized at times—occasional dramatic flourishes or simplified motivations can feel more thriller than rigorous history. The focus stays tightly on the pre-Pearl Harbor intrigue, so those seeking deeper analysis of wartime propaganda films or the studios' later full-throated support for the Allied effort might want supplementary reading. A few early reviews note that while the core story is heroic and important, the prose style won't appeal to everyone who prefers straightforward nonfiction.
Overall VerdictHollywood vs. Nazis is a solid 4-out-of-5-stars read for history buffs, film enthusiasts, and anyone interested in how culture and politics collide. Benson succeeds in rescuing a fascinating, timely tale from obscurity and delivering it with energy and urgency. It's the kind of book that makes you see classic Hollywood in a new, grittier light—where the dream factory wasn't just churning out fantasies but quietly fighting a real battle against fascism on American soil.If you enjoyed books like Gangsters vs. Nazis (by the same author) or broader works on Hollywood and WWII, this one fits right in. Highly recommended for its blend of espionage, larger-than-life personalities, and moral clarity in dark times.
Benson, a prolific author of history and true crime books, shines a spotlight on a lesser-known chapter of American history: Nazi Germany's concerted efforts to infiltrate and co-opt the Hollywood film industry as a propaganda tool in the 1930s, and the bold, often clandestine countermeasures taken by Jewish studio moguls and their allies.The Core StoryThe book details how, as Hitler consolidated power, the Nazi regime sought to influence or suppress Hollywood productions that portrayed Germany negatively. They pressured studios through export bans, planted sympathizers and spies in Los Angeles (including among German expatriates and local fascist groups), and even attempted to cultivate pro-Nazi sentiment on the West Coast. In response, powerful figures like the Warner brothers, Louis B. Mayer, and other industry leaders—many of them Jewish immigrants who had fled pogroms in Europe—recognized the existential threat not just to their business but to democratic values and their community.Rather than waiting for government action, they pooled resources to fund private intelligence operations, infiltrators into Nazi cells, and lobbying efforts. This included monitoring and disrupting pro-Nazi activities in Los Angeles while producing early anti-Nazi films (sometimes at great financial and political risk, given isolationist sentiments in America). Benson frames it as a high-stakes shadow war: moguls versus Bundists, spies, and appeasers, unfolding against the backdrop of glitzy premieres, backroom deals, and the looming shadow of world war.
Strengths Narrative Drive: Benson writes with a cinematic flair, structuring chapters like scenes in a blockbuster. The pacing is brisk, with vivid character portraits of both heroes (the studio heads and their operatives) and villains (Nazi agents and their American enablers). It avoids dry academic prose, making complex historical events accessible and engaging.
Fresh Historical Ground: While the broad strokes of Hollywood's role in WWII propaganda are familiar, the specific story of Nazi infiltration attempts in Los Angeles and the moguls' proactive, extra-legal responses feels under-told. Benson draws on archival material, declassified documents, and contemporary accounts to bring it to life.
Relevance: The book resonates today, highlighting themes of foreign interference in media, the tension between profit and principle in entertainment, and the dangers of political extremism infiltrating cultural institutions.
CriticismsSome readers may find the "Hollywood blockbuster treatment" a bit too stylized at times—occasional dramatic flourishes or simplified motivations can feel more thriller than rigorous history. The focus stays tightly on the pre-Pearl Harbor intrigue, so those seeking deeper analysis of wartime propaganda films or the studios' later full-throated support for the Allied effort might want supplementary reading. A few early reviews note that while the core story is heroic and important, the prose style won't appeal to everyone who prefers straightforward nonfiction.
Overall VerdictHollywood vs. Nazis is a solid 4-out-of-5-stars read for history buffs, film enthusiasts, and anyone interested in how culture and politics collide. Benson succeeds in rescuing a fascinating, timely tale from obscurity and delivering it with energy and urgency. It's the kind of book that makes you see classic Hollywood in a new, grittier light—where the dream factory wasn't just churning out fantasies but quietly fighting a real battle against fascism on American soil.If you enjoyed books like Gangsters vs. Nazis (by the same author) or broader works on Hollywood and WWII, this one fits right in. Highly recommended for its blend of espionage, larger-than-life personalities, and moral clarity in dark times.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
I received this book from a Goodreads giveaway and appreciate the opportunity to read and review.
This is an engaging and colorful book covering two areas of pre-WW2 that I lacked much knowledge of before: anti-Nazi espionage outside the scope of government agencies, and the growing stance of Hollywood magnates against fascism. It had many interesting details and kept a fast and exciting narrative throughout. I also appreciate the inclusion of various photographs midway, as those interludes are always helpful at illustrating things.
That said, I feel that the fast-paced narrative sometimes worked against the quality and reliability of the book as a history book. Many interesting turns of events were only briefly alluded to mentioned in short sections before jumping onto the next part of the story, leaving readers with only a shallow understanding of many of the various events and incidents mentioned.
I also felt that the book tried but somewhat failed to marry the two key themes of the book. It felt like most of the book, particularly the first half, was about Leon Lewis's anti-Nazi spy network, with the movie moguls gradually entering the picture in the second half. While the author does create some links between the two campaigns, it still feels a little disjointed.
And the lack of sufficient citations for sources is a bit troubling for a history book. I appreciate the appendices at the end, and the inclusion of the filmography list of anti-Nazi movies was interesting. But as for actual list of sources just covers a few pages, and fails to elaborate deeper into how these sources were applied to the narrative. More thorough history books will provide citations for specific lines that drew from certain sources, but none of that is explained here.
The remaining enigma about the sources therefore makes the truth of the narrative feel vaguer, especially when parts of the book includes conversations - while these conversations flow well, it becomes questionable on if these are true quotes, or artistic liberties that the author took, and artistic liberties are a detriment when writing a book about history. It's ironic that for a book that so effectively challenges the Nazis' lies, its limited use of sources makes it difficult to verify its full veracity.
Also, I felt that sometimes the book overlooked the nastier qualities of Hollywood execs; they were nowhere close to the Nazis, but they still had darker habits that were glossed over. For instance, a brief, couple-paragraph subplot involves a showgirl that one of the Hollywood moguls took an interest in, before rejecting her upon realizing she was a Nazi plant. But the book never seems to address the uncomfortable implications of Hollywood leaders having potentially abusive relationships with the employees under their wing.
Still, this is an interesting book that provides a lot of details about that time period, and the willingness to stand up against fascism is a message that Americans dearly need to remember in the present day. I certainly enjoyed the book and recommend it; I just wish the sources were more thorough and definitive.
This is an engaging and colorful book covering two areas of pre-WW2 that I lacked much knowledge of before: anti-Nazi espionage outside the scope of government agencies, and the growing stance of Hollywood magnates against fascism. It had many interesting details and kept a fast and exciting narrative throughout. I also appreciate the inclusion of various photographs midway, as those interludes are always helpful at illustrating things.
That said, I feel that the fast-paced narrative sometimes worked against the quality and reliability of the book as a history book. Many interesting turns of events were only briefly alluded to mentioned in short sections before jumping onto the next part of the story, leaving readers with only a shallow understanding of many of the various events and incidents mentioned.
I also felt that the book tried but somewhat failed to marry the two key themes of the book. It felt like most of the book, particularly the first half, was about Leon Lewis's anti-Nazi spy network, with the movie moguls gradually entering the picture in the second half. While the author does create some links between the two campaigns, it still feels a little disjointed.
And the lack of sufficient citations for sources is a bit troubling for a history book. I appreciate the appendices at the end, and the inclusion of the filmography list of anti-Nazi movies was interesting. But as for actual list of sources just covers a few pages, and fails to elaborate deeper into how these sources were applied to the narrative. More thorough history books will provide citations for specific lines that drew from certain sources, but none of that is explained here.
The remaining enigma about the sources therefore makes the truth of the narrative feel vaguer, especially when parts of the book includes conversations - while these conversations flow well, it becomes questionable on if these are true quotes, or artistic liberties that the author took, and artistic liberties are a detriment when writing a book about history. It's ironic that for a book that so effectively challenges the Nazis' lies, its limited use of sources makes it difficult to verify its full veracity.
Also, I felt that sometimes the book overlooked the nastier qualities of Hollywood execs; they were nowhere close to the Nazis, but they still had darker habits that were glossed over. For instance, a brief, couple-paragraph subplot involves a showgirl that one of the Hollywood moguls took an interest in, before rejecting her upon realizing she was a Nazi plant. But the book never seems to address the uncomfortable implications of Hollywood leaders having potentially abusive relationships with the employees under their wing.
Still, this is an interesting book that provides a lot of details about that time period, and the willingness to stand up against fascism is a message that Americans dearly need to remember in the present day. I certainly enjoyed the book and recommend it; I just wish the sources were more thorough and definitive.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you NetGalley and Kensington Publishing | Citadel for this advance ARC in return or an Honest Review.
Hollywood vs. Nazis takes a hard look at Fascist Organizations and Neo-Nazis in Southern California, and rather than focusing on the Movie Moguls, spends most of its energy on Leon Lewis and his "Nazi Busters." Leon Lewis, a Jewish Lawyer in LA, was was once described as "the most dangerous Jew in Los Angeles."
As Hitler's Nazi movement in Germany began to take hold, there were several organizations in the USA that sprung up emulating the horrific anti-semitic rhetoric ( The Friends of New Germany, The Silver Legion of William Dudley Pelley and ultimately the Bund ) as well as the isolationist movements such as "America First" which counted Charles Lindbergh amongst it most prominent members. The focus on Hollywood came out of Paul Joseph Goebbels, the Reich Minister of Propaganda's idea to take over the movie capital of the world to promote Hitler and the Nazis.
Covering some of the same territory as Rachel Madow's Prequel: An American Fight Against Fascism and even Midnight Burning (An Einstein-Chaplin Thriller) by Paul Levine, Benson writes in small/short chapters about the exploits of these heroic spies who risk their lives to infiltrate these organizations to foil their plans.
Made up of mostly non-Jews, the "Nazi busters" weaved their way into these organizations and secured valuable intelligence to thwart numerous plots to either kill the top Jews in Hollywood (including Chaplin who was not Jewish ) as well as plans to sabotage the US Military or just distribute anti-semitic propaganda.
Eventually in need of money to finance his operations, Lewis turned to the Jewish "Moguls" running a majority of the Hollywood Studios for not just money, but also to help with anti-Nazi propaganda.
Although J. Edgar Hoover and his FBI were more concerned about Communism than Nazis or Neo-Nazis living in America, Lewis and his ever changing roster of Spies were able to neuter these groups with the aid of the Hollywood Studio Heads. As the US entry into World War II was fast approaching, thanks to Lewis these Fascist Organizations soon became obsolete and many of their targets arrested for sedition or failure to register as Agents of a Foreign Country.
A fascinating read for anyone not familiar with the neo Nazi / Fascist Movement in the 30's and early 40's and the heroic efforts of Lewis and "Nazi Busters," many of whom never got the credit they deserved during their lifetime.
#HollywoodvsNazis #NetGalley
Hollywood vs. Nazis takes a hard look at Fascist Organizations and Neo-Nazis in Southern California, and rather than focusing on the Movie Moguls, spends most of its energy on Leon Lewis and his "Nazi Busters." Leon Lewis, a Jewish Lawyer in LA, was was once described as "the most dangerous Jew in Los Angeles."
As Hitler's Nazi movement in Germany began to take hold, there were several organizations in the USA that sprung up emulating the horrific anti-semitic rhetoric ( The Friends of New Germany, The Silver Legion of William Dudley Pelley and ultimately the Bund ) as well as the isolationist movements such as "America First" which counted Charles Lindbergh amongst it most prominent members. The focus on Hollywood came out of Paul Joseph Goebbels, the Reich Minister of Propaganda's idea to take over the movie capital of the world to promote Hitler and the Nazis.
Covering some of the same territory as Rachel Madow's Prequel: An American Fight Against Fascism and even Midnight Burning (An Einstein-Chaplin Thriller) by Paul Levine, Benson writes in small/short chapters about the exploits of these heroic spies who risk their lives to infiltrate these organizations to foil their plans.
Made up of mostly non-Jews, the "Nazi busters" weaved their way into these organizations and secured valuable intelligence to thwart numerous plots to either kill the top Jews in Hollywood (including Chaplin who was not Jewish ) as well as plans to sabotage the US Military or just distribute anti-semitic propaganda.
Eventually in need of money to finance his operations, Lewis turned to the Jewish "Moguls" running a majority of the Hollywood Studios for not just money, but also to help with anti-Nazi propaganda.
Although J. Edgar Hoover and his FBI were more concerned about Communism than Nazis or Neo-Nazis living in America, Lewis and his ever changing roster of Spies were able to neuter these groups with the aid of the Hollywood Studio Heads. As the US entry into World War II was fast approaching, thanks to Lewis these Fascist Organizations soon became obsolete and many of their targets arrested for sedition or failure to register as Agents of a Foreign Country.
A fascinating read for anyone not familiar with the neo Nazi / Fascist Movement in the 30's and early 40's and the heroic efforts of Lewis and "Nazi Busters," many of whom never got the credit they deserved during their lifetime.
#HollywoodvsNazis #NetGalley
December 4, 2025
While the United States entered WWII more than two years after the beginning, there was a war going on stateside to win the hearts and minds of the populace. The battle began long before hostilities and had it not been for the courageous work of Leon Lewis and his allies, things could have been much worse. The problem then, as now, is there was a pernicious antisemitism. What interest was it if Hitler was perpetrating atrocities against Jews. Who cared. And if people in the US were supporters of the regime and its goals, if it did not impact daily life, it was of no importance.
Thankfully there were people who saw what was transpiring and knew how thin the line was if it was allowed to grow unchecked. Many of the people sworn to protect their citizens were anything from complicit to indifferent. But a group of very powerful men, who happened to be Jewish knew the danger. Many had escaped pogroms before arriving on these shores. They were those who ran major Hollywood studios and who could put up the funds to keep Lewis and his group going.
The irony of the myth that Jews ran everything- it is still heard in some corners- was ludicrous. In this case, however, Jews were often in the seats of power. Why. So many came up in a world where access to many things and careers were denied to Jews. So they gravitated to entertainment where there were no barriers and talent would out. And when they chose to combine their efforts, as they did with the pro-Nazi activities in California, they were able to keep a lid on things until, after Pearl Harbour, the rest of American caught up.
Much of the information that was used to convict the villains came from the undercover exploits of Lewis’ agents. The others, including the FBI, took the kudos and the stories of the men and women who risked their lives going into the dens of hatred, remained unsung. This book and some of the others I have read by the same author redresses this omission. Easy to read and informative, the heroes of this tale deserve our thanks. Five purrs and two paws up.
Thankfully there were people who saw what was transpiring and knew how thin the line was if it was allowed to grow unchecked. Many of the people sworn to protect their citizens were anything from complicit to indifferent. But a group of very powerful men, who happened to be Jewish knew the danger. Many had escaped pogroms before arriving on these shores. They were those who ran major Hollywood studios and who could put up the funds to keep Lewis and his group going.
The irony of the myth that Jews ran everything- it is still heard in some corners- was ludicrous. In this case, however, Jews were often in the seats of power. Why. So many came up in a world where access to many things and careers were denied to Jews. So they gravitated to entertainment where there were no barriers and talent would out. And when they chose to combine their efforts, as they did with the pro-Nazi activities in California, they were able to keep a lid on things until, after Pearl Harbour, the rest of American caught up.
Much of the information that was used to convict the villains came from the undercover exploits of Lewis’ agents. The others, including the FBI, took the kudos and the stories of the men and women who risked their lives going into the dens of hatred, remained unsung. This book and some of the others I have read by the same author redresses this omission. Easy to read and informative, the heroes of this tale deserve our thanks. Five purrs and two paws up.
April 28, 2026
Hollywood vs Nazis; How the movie studios took on the Nazis by Michael Benson, In January 1934 a civil trial was brought to court in LA California it was against the Friends group a grassroots Nazi effort to build up and possibly take over America. This however is happening in Hollywood where the Nazis would send spies to be walk ons in Hollywood productions, that way during the downtime they could keep their ears open and possibly recruit like-minded people. They even went to Skidrow and fed white men so they could put them in their group just to get bigger numbers. The things they did to recruit people was boundless from having people check you out and then slip you a paper with your receipt saying do you hate Jews as much as we do come to this place and join our club. they even had a downtown nazi bookstore but they didn’t sell books they just had pamphlets and propaganda spoutting the greatness of the Aryan nation and Hitler. On this day however we’re back in January 1934 in the courtroom also in downtown Los Angeles, California versus the friends group the last person they expected to see was a man named John Shmitts who was one of the local Nazis top people (or at least they thought so,) in reality he was just looking for a lawyer to help him get his army pension back because he was injured in World War II and the government had recently stopped his benefits. He just so happened to go to a lawyer who recruited men he thought would be able to infiltrate the want to be American Nazis and that is exactly what John Shmitts and his wife did. John Smith‘s along with many other German born ex military men put their life on the line because had they been found out death was definitely the outcome to keep America free and this just makes what’s happening in our country today even more shameful but I won’t get onto that just know this is a great book a time when everyone every color was proud to be an American. #NetGalley, #TheBlindReviewer, #MyHonestReview,
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Welcome to the land of greed and glitter where the dream factories reside - AKA Hollywood! In the 1930s, the movie studios were very big in Hollywood making pictures that were shown world wide. Hitler and the Nazis wanted into that action so they sent folks over to California to infiltrate the movie studios and shift their focus to movies more to their liking. Michael Benson takes the reader along for the ride into this bit of little-known history in Hollywood vs Nazis!
In twenty-four chapters, an epilogue, and an interesting appendix, Michael Benson sets the stage of Los Angeles in the 1930s where corruption, oil, and movies ruled. When Goebbels sent folks to America they did not quite know the ground rules in play. The Friends of New Germany started meeting in 1933 and opposition to these meeting started soon after. In Hollywood, a Jewish lawyer named Leon Lewis started an organization to infiltrate the infiltrators and spy out their secrets to be revealed at an opportune time. Lewis also got together with Jewish organizations and various movie moguls such at the Warner Brothers who provided monetary support for the spies. Lewis's organization uncovered Nazis plans for harassment, armed uprisings, and general mayhem. At various times the organization worked with the LA cops, the California government, and occasionally the U.S. House UnAmerican Activities Committee to thwart the Nazis plans and derail various white supremacist organizations as well. In the end, Hollywood won and the Nazis never did get the foothold they wanted in California.
So, if you are interested in a popular telling of the little known history of Hollywood during the 1930s to early 1940s, pick up Michael Benson's Hollywood vs Nazis and be entertained while learning.
Thanks Netgalley and Citadel Press for the chance to read this title!
In twenty-four chapters, an epilogue, and an interesting appendix, Michael Benson sets the stage of Los Angeles in the 1930s where corruption, oil, and movies ruled. When Goebbels sent folks to America they did not quite know the ground rules in play. The Friends of New Germany started meeting in 1933 and opposition to these meeting started soon after. In Hollywood, a Jewish lawyer named Leon Lewis started an organization to infiltrate the infiltrators and spy out their secrets to be revealed at an opportune time. Lewis also got together with Jewish organizations and various movie moguls such at the Warner Brothers who provided monetary support for the spies. Lewis's organization uncovered Nazis plans for harassment, armed uprisings, and general mayhem. At various times the organization worked with the LA cops, the California government, and occasionally the U.S. House UnAmerican Activities Committee to thwart the Nazis plans and derail various white supremacist organizations as well. In the end, Hollywood won and the Nazis never did get the foothold they wanted in California.
So, if you are interested in a popular telling of the little known history of Hollywood during the 1930s to early 1940s, pick up Michael Benson's Hollywood vs Nazis and be entertained while learning.
Thanks Netgalley and Citadel Press for the chance to read this title!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
*Disclosure: I received a free review copy from the publisher.
Benson’s work reads like a history textbook, albeit one spiced with dramatized dialogue and imaginative chronology adjustments meant to enhance the narrative's flow. He notes that some characters may be composites, which adds an intriguing layer of storytelling to the historical fabric being woven.
Initially, I had misjudged the book’s focus, assuming it would delve into the films produced during the war years. In reality, it’s a pre-WWII exploration, charting the treacherous waters from 1933 until the fateful Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor propelled the United States into the fray. Hollywood, an industry bathed in glamor, was not just a playground of fame and fortune but also a battleground for ideologies. Benson deftly examines how Nazi operatives sought to undermine the essence of American filmmaking, hoping to sanitize their image while keeping unfavorable narratives at bay.
In conclusion, Hollywood vs. Nazis turned out to be an unexpectedly enlightening read, peeling back layers of history I hadn’t fully appreciated. Benson’s brisk narrative and engaging structure made it a page-turner; I devoured the entire book in a single day. If you have an interest in the Hollywood of the 1930s and 1940s, this book will satiate your curiosity. However, if that era doesn’t tickle your fancy, you might find your attention waning after a few chapters. Not every fact or name will resonate with every reader—yet for a detail-enthusiast like me, the well-researched tidbits were a delightful surprise. I came away satisfied; it was a fascinating read, and I recommend it. ╌★★★★✰
Find my full review at https://www.coffeeaddictedwriter.com/....
Benson’s work reads like a history textbook, albeit one spiced with dramatized dialogue and imaginative chronology adjustments meant to enhance the narrative's flow. He notes that some characters may be composites, which adds an intriguing layer of storytelling to the historical fabric being woven.
Initially, I had misjudged the book’s focus, assuming it would delve into the films produced during the war years. In reality, it’s a pre-WWII exploration, charting the treacherous waters from 1933 until the fateful Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor propelled the United States into the fray. Hollywood, an industry bathed in glamor, was not just a playground of fame and fortune but also a battleground for ideologies. Benson deftly examines how Nazi operatives sought to undermine the essence of American filmmaking, hoping to sanitize their image while keeping unfavorable narratives at bay.
In conclusion, Hollywood vs. Nazis turned out to be an unexpectedly enlightening read, peeling back layers of history I hadn’t fully appreciated. Benson’s brisk narrative and engaging structure made it a page-turner; I devoured the entire book in a single day. If you have an interest in the Hollywood of the 1930s and 1940s, this book will satiate your curiosity. However, if that era doesn’t tickle your fancy, you might find your attention waning after a few chapters. Not every fact or name will resonate with every reader—yet for a detail-enthusiast like me, the well-researched tidbits were a delightful surprise. I came away satisfied; it was a fascinating read, and I recommend it. ╌★★★★✰
Find my full review at https://www.coffeeaddictedwriter.com/....
April 10, 2026
In this book, the author takes us back t0 1930s Los Angeles in between the end of WWI and the beginning of WWII. As Hitler begins his rise in Germany and the Nazi party continues to gain traction there, Hitler also sets his sites on the rest of the world including the United States. That leads to Germans living in the U.S. trying to spread the same anti-Jewish sentiment here that is being spouted in Germany and across Europe.
Leon Lewis is a Jewish lawyer living in Los Angeles who creates his own group of spies to infiltrate the Nazi and anti-Jewish movement on the west coast and stop their plans. While the title of the book implies that most of the people in this book will be people associated with Hollywood, that's actually not the case. While they do play a role in this part of history, the vast majority of Lewis' spy network are just normal people.
I really enjoyed the style of writing the author has. Sometimes non-fiction books can be very dry. This one had more of a movie screenplay feel to it. The downside of the book is that there are a lot of different people and a lot of activity that the author tries to cover in a fairly short book. While I think the author did a great job, I did find it hard at times to keep track of everyone.
This is a piece of U.S. history that often doesn't get covered or talked about enough. This is a great approachable read for anyone interested in learning more about the time before our entry into WWII and the attempts Germany made to keep the U.S. out of the war by blaming the Jewish community for everything.
I received an advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Leon Lewis is a Jewish lawyer living in Los Angeles who creates his own group of spies to infiltrate the Nazi and anti-Jewish movement on the west coast and stop their plans. While the title of the book implies that most of the people in this book will be people associated with Hollywood, that's actually not the case. While they do play a role in this part of history, the vast majority of Lewis' spy network are just normal people.
I really enjoyed the style of writing the author has. Sometimes non-fiction books can be very dry. This one had more of a movie screenplay feel to it. The downside of the book is that there are a lot of different people and a lot of activity that the author tries to cover in a fairly short book. While I think the author did a great job, I did find it hard at times to keep track of everyone.
This is a piece of U.S. history that often doesn't get covered or talked about enough. This is a great approachable read for anyone interested in learning more about the time before our entry into WWII and the attempts Germany made to keep the U.S. out of the war by blaming the Jewish community for everything.
I received an advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
April 19, 2026
Hollywood vs. Nazis reads like a thriller but every jaw-dropping word of it is true and that's what makes it so utterly compelling. Michael Benson has unearthed one of the most fascinating and underreported chapters in American history, and he tells it with tremendous pace and energy.
Hitler's plot to control Hollywood's message. Jewish moguls who recognised the threat and fought back with their own clandestine spy network. Undercover operatives infiltrating pro-Nazi organisations across Los Angeles. A decade-long mission to protect America by any means necessary.
The cast of real historical figures Adolph Zukor, Sam Goldwyn, David O. Selznick, the Warner brothers — operating in the shadows while making the films we still celebrate today is genuinely extraordinary. Benson captures both the high stakes and the very human courage it took to stand up and fight back.
Explosive, revelatory, and impossible to put down. Essential reading. 🎬🕵️🖤
Hitler's plot to control Hollywood's message. Jewish moguls who recognised the threat and fought back with their own clandestine spy network. Undercover operatives infiltrating pro-Nazi organisations across Los Angeles. A decade-long mission to protect America by any means necessary.
The cast of real historical figures Adolph Zukor, Sam Goldwyn, David O. Selznick, the Warner brothers — operating in the shadows while making the films we still celebrate today is genuinely extraordinary. Benson captures both the high stakes and the very human courage it took to stand up and fight back.
Explosive, revelatory, and impossible to put down. Essential reading. 🎬🕵️🖤
December 30, 2025
This book brought into question how much influenced the Nazi party had on America … even before they entered the war. The book was well researched, informative, and would appeal to anyone who has an interest in World War II and the different role the Nazis played in it. I am glad that these people involved we’re finally recognized for their contribution and sacrifice for such just cause. My only criticism of this book was that the author chose to write the novel in short headings and paragraphs. Reading off of a small iPad, I was constantly turning the page.
I would like to thank the author, the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced copy of his novel in return for a honest and unbiassed review
I would like to thank the author, the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced copy of his novel in return for a honest and unbiassed review
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Hollywood fighting Nazis. A gripping tale that, surprisingly enough, has not yet been made into a movie. Unfortunately the author chose to add fake dialogue to spice it up a bit, which made me question everything that was being said, unless it was specifically mentioned to be a direct quote. Also, he apparently felt the need to add flippant commentary on physical appearances, facial expressions etc. In other words, the author turned a perfectly good nonfiction book with a very interesting topic into a fictional story. Which makes it useless as a reliable source. It could have been a good book, but for me personally this was a dissappointment because of the narrative choices that were made.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This book does a good job at highlighting the individual spies that were hired to infiltrate Nazi organizations in L.A. in the years leading up to WWII. The organization of the book, with the headings and paragraphs broke up the flow for me a bit at some parts.
Thank you to the publisher for providing an advanced reader copy of the book!
Thank you to the publisher for providing an advanced reader copy of the book!
November 26, 2025
An interesting read. I read the whole book in pretty much a single sitting. There were some parts I wanted to skip but I believe that is more on me than the book itself.
April 6, 2026
Fun book. Very enjoyable and interesting tale of Nazis trying to infiltrate Thirties LA and Hollywood. Highly recommend this book!
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April 18, 2026Review to come
May 6, 2026
Interesting topic but a little dry read
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