What do you think?
Rate this book
The Interrogator: The Story of Hanns-Joachim Scharff, Master Interrogator of the Luftwaffe
This is the story of Hanns Scharff the master interrogator of the Luftwaffe who questioned captured American fighter pilots of the USAAF Eighth and Ninth Air Forces in World War II. This Intelligence Officer gained the reputation as the man who could magically get all the answers he needed from the prisoners of war. In most cases the POWs being interrogated never realized that their words, small talk or otherwise, were important pieces of the mosaic Hanns Scharff was constructing for the benefit of Germanys war effort. In the words of one erstwhile POW; "What did Scharff get from me? Nothing, yet there is no doubt he got something. If you talked about the weather or anything else he no doubt got some information or confirmation from it. His technique was psychic, not physical." Another POW commented, "Hanns Scharff could probably get a confession of infidelity from a Nun!" They are right. To this day ex-POWs fret and worry over what they said or even might have implied during their interrogations, and over what use Scharff may have made of their slip-ups. This book delves into the What was this magic spell or formula used by Scharff which made prisoners drop their guard and converse with him even though they are conditioned to remain silent? The tortures and savagery of the North Koreans and North Vietnamese caused prisoners to resist to the death. Hanns Scharffs methods broke down barriers so effectively that the USAF invited him to speak about his methods to military audiences in the United States after World War II. Raymond Toliver is also the author (with Trevor Constable) of Fighter Aces of the Luftwaffe (available from Schiffer Publishing Ltd.).
352 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1978
68 people are currently reading
1059 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
August 6, 2016
This was full of interesting anecdotes from WW2 - things I haven't come across before, such as the ill-will that was increased towards downed allied bomber crews - after a crew came down over Germany sporting "Murder Inc" emblazoned across the back of their flight jackets. This was the name of their aircraft - but for the German populace on the receiving end of their deadly payloads - it was in bad taste to say the least.
Hanns Scharff's incredible affability and humanity shine through the pages, his easy-going manner and gentlemanly conduct towards the gallant enemy fliers that met with misfortune and were brought down is inspiring. He had what seemed to be complete mastery of human psychology, scarcely a single prisoner - men who were fanatically dedicated to their country, managed to avoid being gently led towards innocently revealing useful information to Hanns and the German war machine.
One particular anecdote really drove home the vast implications of information that was gleaned from some POW's. Hanns interrogated a young P-51 Mustang pilot, perhaps 21 years-old, who after some polite treatment from Hanns, and a welcome stroll outside of his cell, was led into a discussion - started by Hanns on why it was that the Americans had switched from red to white tracers in their guns.
This young flyer quickly corrected Hans saying "No, no - we haven't ran out of red tracers! the white ones are a warning, the last 10 rounds in our guns are white tracers, once we see those - we know to hightail it home, as we are out of ammo!."
Hanns immediatey notified Luftwaffe command of this information, which could clearly be used to help German fighter pilots identify - and kill, defenseless aircraft. Funnily enough it turned out that due to common chivalry of Pilot-Officers, many German pilots refused to shoot at unarmed aircraft.
Interesting throughout, well worth your time.
Hanns Scharff's incredible affability and humanity shine through the pages, his easy-going manner and gentlemanly conduct towards the gallant enemy fliers that met with misfortune and were brought down is inspiring. He had what seemed to be complete mastery of human psychology, scarcely a single prisoner - men who were fanatically dedicated to their country, managed to avoid being gently led towards innocently revealing useful information to Hanns and the German war machine.
One particular anecdote really drove home the vast implications of information that was gleaned from some POW's. Hanns interrogated a young P-51 Mustang pilot, perhaps 21 years-old, who after some polite treatment from Hanns, and a welcome stroll outside of his cell, was led into a discussion - started by Hanns on why it was that the Americans had switched from red to white tracers in their guns.
This young flyer quickly corrected Hans saying "No, no - we haven't ran out of red tracers! the white ones are a warning, the last 10 rounds in our guns are white tracers, once we see those - we know to hightail it home, as we are out of ammo!."
Hanns immediatey notified Luftwaffe command of this information, which could clearly be used to help German fighter pilots identify - and kill, defenseless aircraft. Funnily enough it turned out that due to common chivalry of Pilot-Officers, many German pilots refused to shoot at unarmed aircraft.
Interesting throughout, well worth your time.
December 4, 2018
Raymond Toliver’s “The Interrogator” recollects the war time experiences of Hanns Joachim Scharff as an interrogator with a processing and evaluation center of the Luftwaffe.
The story is written in a rather humorous style and starts out with the tale of coincidences that lead to Scharff becoming an interrogator although he neither had special talents or training for the job. Over the course of the story some anecdotes are told, which basically only depict Scharff as a decent person doing the job he was given as humanely as possible and getting back to civilian live when the war ended.
Readers looking for secret techniques of the master interrogator of the Luftwaffe will likely be disappointed. Scharff finds himself in a very comfortable position as the Luftwaffe already had vast amounts of order of battle information on allied air forces, technical intelligence from downed aircraft and were able to listen to the complete radio traffic of the allied air forces once in the air. Subsequently the German intelligence organization provided Scharff with information on the aircraft, unit, and airfield, circumstances of the crash and even transcripts of the radio traffic for most pilots Scharff was to interrogate. Allied fighter pilots were therefore easily convinced that Scharff already knew everything and most captured personnel actually did not know anything of intelligence value to begin with. The whole technique employed appears to have been to awe POW with his basic intelligence knowledge, put them and ease and have a civilized conversation with them for a few days, conducting trips through woods around the area. By doing this Scharff only gathered more basic intelligence and anecdotes to awe the next pilot, who may actually know something of intelligence value. While this technique apparently produced results in more basic intelligence and the occasional detail of actual value, the book also describes how it completely failed with senior officers, who actually had secrets to keep and knew it.
In summary the book tells an average story of a man finding himself working at the heart of an intelligence bureaucracy and doing his job while remaining his decency.
The story is written in a rather humorous style and starts out with the tale of coincidences that lead to Scharff becoming an interrogator although he neither had special talents or training for the job. Over the course of the story some anecdotes are told, which basically only depict Scharff as a decent person doing the job he was given as humanely as possible and getting back to civilian live when the war ended.
Readers looking for secret techniques of the master interrogator of the Luftwaffe will likely be disappointed. Scharff finds himself in a very comfortable position as the Luftwaffe already had vast amounts of order of battle information on allied air forces, technical intelligence from downed aircraft and were able to listen to the complete radio traffic of the allied air forces once in the air. Subsequently the German intelligence organization provided Scharff with information on the aircraft, unit, and airfield, circumstances of the crash and even transcripts of the radio traffic for most pilots Scharff was to interrogate. Allied fighter pilots were therefore easily convinced that Scharff already knew everything and most captured personnel actually did not know anything of intelligence value to begin with. The whole technique employed appears to have been to awe POW with his basic intelligence knowledge, put them and ease and have a civilized conversation with them for a few days, conducting trips through woods around the area. By doing this Scharff only gathered more basic intelligence and anecdotes to awe the next pilot, who may actually know something of intelligence value. While this technique apparently produced results in more basic intelligence and the occasional detail of actual value, the book also describes how it completely failed with senior officers, who actually had secrets to keep and knew it.
In summary the book tells an average story of a man finding himself working at the heart of an intelligence bureaucracy and doing his job while remaining his decency.
April 25, 2009
This is a wonderful memoir of the life of Hanns Joachim Scharff, a German interrogator during WWII. The book mainly consists to Scharff's personal accounts taken from his private journals, that when written, were intended for family use. Author Raymond F. Toliver befriended Scharff and is responsible for this story's release. Toliver acts as a guide, clarifying some of Scharff's accounts and interjecting the recollections of many that had contact with Scharff. Towards to the end of the book Toliver delves into a dark side of WWII, one that is not often discussed, the American treatment of German POW's and the atrocities that these people suffered by the hands of their "liberators".
Though Scharff does not come out and give a step by step instruction for his interrogation methods, but shares stories and recalls interrogations he preformed in a way that the reader can see his methods and the psychology used that would brand him as a master interrogator.
This book is an excellent read for anyone interested in WWII from a German perspective, those that work within the intelligence community, who perform interrogations, or anyone that would appreciate a deeper understanding of WWII.
Though Scharff does not come out and give a step by step instruction for his interrogation methods, but shares stories and recalls interrogations he preformed in a way that the reader can see his methods and the psychology used that would brand him as a master interrogator.
This book is an excellent read for anyone interested in WWII from a German perspective, those that work within the intelligence community, who perform interrogations, or anyone that would appreciate a deeper understanding of WWII.
May 14, 2022
It was pretty jumbled. Editing needs to be greatly improved. Sometimes I could not discern if it was Tolliver or Scharff's POV. The stories and characters jump around so much. More anecdotes than actual interrogation skills.
Chapter 12 was horrifying.
Chapter 12 was horrifying.
November 26, 2024
Gana įdomūs Antrojo pasaulinio karo laikų Vokietijos kariuomenės karo belaisvių tardytojo atsiminimai. Teikia daug peno mąstyti apie tai, kad gudrumas ir gebėjimas bendrauti žvalgyboje vertingesni už prievartą.
Pagrindinis herojus Hannsas Scharffas iki karo buvo verslininku Pietų Afrikoje. Mobilizuotas į Vokietijos kariuomenę per plauką išvengė siuntimo į Rytų frontą. Po tam tikrų likimo vingių paskirtas dirbti žvalgyboje: karo belaisvių apklausos centre. Dirbo su amerikiečių karo lakūnais, pagarsėjo kaip labai mandagus tardytojas, kuris savo pasiekdavo gudrumu. Po karo apsigyveno JAV ir tapo kai kurių savo belaisvių draugu.
Skeptiškiau nusiteikęs skaitytojas gali perskaityti visiškai ką kita: kad Vakarų frontas buvo savotiškas "šiltnamis", kuriame vis dar galiojo paskutinieji garbingo karo papročių likučiai. Kita vertus, istorija liudija, kad garbingi papročiai kare pasiekiami per abipusiškumą (kai abi pusės labiau nori apsaugoti nelaisvėje atsidūrusius savo karius negu nuskriausti belaisvius priešus), todėl jie nebūtinai dingę negrįžtamai. O argumentą prieš kankinimus (kad jie ne tik baisūs, bet ir nebūtinai veikia) tikrai verta nuolat pasikartoti.
Todėl knyga vertinga. Ir žmogaus istorija labai įdomi.
Pagrindinis herojus Hannsas Scharffas iki karo buvo verslininku Pietų Afrikoje. Mobilizuotas į Vokietijos kariuomenę per plauką išvengė siuntimo į Rytų frontą. Po tam tikrų likimo vingių paskirtas dirbti žvalgyboje: karo belaisvių apklausos centre. Dirbo su amerikiečių karo lakūnais, pagarsėjo kaip labai mandagus tardytojas, kuris savo pasiekdavo gudrumu. Po karo apsigyveno JAV ir tapo kai kurių savo belaisvių draugu.
Skeptiškiau nusiteikęs skaitytojas gali perskaityti visiškai ką kita: kad Vakarų frontas buvo savotiškas "šiltnamis", kuriame vis dar galiojo paskutinieji garbingo karo papročių likučiai. Kita vertus, istorija liudija, kad garbingi papročiai kare pasiekiami per abipusiškumą (kai abi pusės labiau nori apsaugoti nelaisvėje atsidūrusius savo karius negu nuskriausti belaisvius priešus), todėl jie nebūtinai dingę negrįžtamai. O argumentą prieš kankinimus (kad jie ne tik baisūs, bet ir nebūtinai veikia) tikrai verta nuolat pasikartoti.
Todėl knyga vertinga. Ir žmogaus istorija labai įdomi.
October 22, 2015
Was watching Rosewater, and was intrigued by the process of interrogation, which lead me to search for "Best interrogation books" online, there were a wealth of them, but this one especially peaked my interest because of the near universal positive review and counter-intuitive positive reviews of Luftwaffe interrogator Hans Scharff's life as well as his methodology (he was a Nazi right?!). Scharff a South African ex-pat from Germany at the outset of the war, an industrialist with an English wife; he was very successful in just being observant, polite and having a wealth of background data on the Allied POWs. He was personally a fulcrum for so many aspects of the war geographically, culturally, and strategically.
I was surprised at just about every turn, many of my presuppositions about interrogation were really based on movies and progressive non-fiction which highlighted aggressive torture techniques; this was not the case for Scharff and his Luftwaffe interrogators. The craft and professionalism of successful interrogation where, as in Germany during WWII, was such an organized infrastructure of information and intelligence gathering that Scharff and the Luftwaffe did not need to strong arm POWs, they could simply piece together oblique data with already culled data from other intelligence sources to get a full picture. In this way, force is not necessary, when POWs believe the interrogators already new everything, they felt they had little to hide, and shared willfully of "inconsequential" details that, in the aggregate, went to this great pool of knowledge that duped the next POW. I imagine this is very much an analog version of what we are presently seeing in the post-Snowden NSA era, where US intelligence just draws down ALL the traffic/data and then has computers and analysts sift the metadata and patterns to come to conclusions.
Since it's very hard to reconcile the respectful nature of aviator officer class fighting gentleman, with what I have read of the Nazis, it was good that the memoir also discussed that the Luftwaffe methodologies were exceptional and that the SS and the Japanese equivalent were strong-arming torturers and much more the status quo; disturbing and ineffective as these methods were.
The book highlights yet another aspect of the WWII era that complicated my understanding and deepened it as well, this does not forgive the Axis, but it does humanize an individual working in the era, and really showcase the micro-aspects of personality, warrior/honor, and general humanity in a very conflicted period of history.
I believe I will try a more recent interrogation book to see if Scharff's respected process remains in modern intelligence practice...or is it all the gitmos, abu gharibs and waterboarding, I read about post-9/11?
Is there still any individual human influence involved in solving for missing data?
I was surprised at just about every turn, many of my presuppositions about interrogation were really based on movies and progressive non-fiction which highlighted aggressive torture techniques; this was not the case for Scharff and his Luftwaffe interrogators. The craft and professionalism of successful interrogation where, as in Germany during WWII, was such an organized infrastructure of information and intelligence gathering that Scharff and the Luftwaffe did not need to strong arm POWs, they could simply piece together oblique data with already culled data from other intelligence sources to get a full picture. In this way, force is not necessary, when POWs believe the interrogators already new everything, they felt they had little to hide, and shared willfully of "inconsequential" details that, in the aggregate, went to this great pool of knowledge that duped the next POW. I imagine this is very much an analog version of what we are presently seeing in the post-Snowden NSA era, where US intelligence just draws down ALL the traffic/data and then has computers and analysts sift the metadata and patterns to come to conclusions.
Since it's very hard to reconcile the respectful nature of aviator officer class fighting gentleman, with what I have read of the Nazis, it was good that the memoir also discussed that the Luftwaffe methodologies were exceptional and that the SS and the Japanese equivalent were strong-arming torturers and much more the status quo; disturbing and ineffective as these methods were.
The book highlights yet another aspect of the WWII era that complicated my understanding and deepened it as well, this does not forgive the Axis, but it does humanize an individual working in the era, and really showcase the micro-aspects of personality, warrior/honor, and general humanity in a very conflicted period of history.
I believe I will try a more recent interrogation book to see if Scharff's respected process remains in modern intelligence practice...or is it all the gitmos, abu gharibs and waterboarding, I read about post-9/11?
Is there still any individual human influence involved in solving for missing data?
February 13, 2023
The subject matter in this book is highly invaluable. I love it so much. However, it can be a mess. The narrator is uncertain with almost no cues for when the narration shifts from Scharff to the author to an interview subject. It is very difficult to follow at times. Scharff was a genius interrogator, and a master of rapport. Anyone interested in criminal investigation, anthropology, people-centered research, intelligence, or building better relationships with people should study this text and Scharff's methods. And if you're a huge Disney fan, I have news for you. Read this book to find out more.
Overall, a book with huge value and great entertainment in the stories and methods shared. Not the easiest to follow at times.
Overall, a book with huge value and great entertainment in the stories and methods shared. Not the easiest to follow at times.
March 8, 2021
As an army prosecutor, a colleague recommended I read this book and I thought I was going to learn some interesting perspectives about extracting information from unwilling suspects or at least seeing effective examples of someone doing so. I saw a little of this. However it was primarily a short biography of an incredibly generous man, Hans Scharff, who was able to ably apply life skills he had acquired to that point in life and used it in an effective but kind tool as a Luftwaffe interrogator.
The author is an U.S. Army Air Force veteran who was intrigued by stories of this Luftwaffe Interrogator who turned the expectations of American pilots' upside down when he met them with garrulous and cordial conversation. Hans Scharff had been a successful businessman in South Africa for and spoke flawless English. The story begins with a lot of Hans' own retelling of his life as recorded by the author. Because of a connection his father (who had died in World War 1), he was able to get a transfer from the German Army to the Air Force and ended up as a interrogator. Because he was so good at extracting even the tiniest amounts of information he quickly won favor with his superiors. It was fascinating seeing how he could meet prisoners with endless cordialness and somehow, through all the jokes and warm conversation, gain one essential fact to add to their military intelligence records.
The book takes us through his brief early years and then the various individuals that he came across while serving as a Luftwaffe interrogator. Much of these featured more interesting accounts of various personalities and blunders. The most fascinating account features an instance where he helped piece together evidence that exonerated a group of American pilots whom the Gestapo had suspected of committing war crimes (intentionally shooting at innocent civilians). Scharff was able to recognize the basic humanity behind each pilot who came across and would extend even the smallest bits of kindest such as telegraphing the pilots' capture so that his family at home would know he was still alive. Eventually the war comes to and end and while Scharff suffers some brief time as a POW (an entirely harrowing account that opens doors to another fascinating area of American bad behavior), he eventually emigrates to the U.S.
While a lot of pilots remembered Scharff for his warmth and fair treatment, I couldn't help but wonder if this is something that is unique to his particular subset of servicemen whom were all highly educated. He was a businessman who spoke fluent English and had been drafted. Most of the pilots he came across were at least college educated. Aerial combat is also less personal than ground fighting. Consequentially it became a little easier to see this humanity when coming face to face with the enemy. Naturally not everyone in this position would act this way and even Scharff comes across some bad apples but I couldn't help but wonder at these circumstances paved the way for this type of situation. Nonetheless I certainly wouldn't take this away from the credit Scharff exhibited as a master interrogator and noble individual in his treatment of prisoners. Truly a unique piece of human history from the annals of WW2.
And I did learn some tiny tidbits of what I thought might be good material for a "good cop" routine in my work.
The author is an U.S. Army Air Force veteran who was intrigued by stories of this Luftwaffe Interrogator who turned the expectations of American pilots' upside down when he met them with garrulous and cordial conversation. Hans Scharff had been a successful businessman in South Africa for and spoke flawless English. The story begins with a lot of Hans' own retelling of his life as recorded by the author. Because of a connection his father (who had died in World War 1), he was able to get a transfer from the German Army to the Air Force and ended up as a interrogator. Because he was so good at extracting even the tiniest amounts of information he quickly won favor with his superiors. It was fascinating seeing how he could meet prisoners with endless cordialness and somehow, through all the jokes and warm conversation, gain one essential fact to add to their military intelligence records.
The book takes us through his brief early years and then the various individuals that he came across while serving as a Luftwaffe interrogator. Much of these featured more interesting accounts of various personalities and blunders. The most fascinating account features an instance where he helped piece together evidence that exonerated a group of American pilots whom the Gestapo had suspected of committing war crimes (intentionally shooting at innocent civilians). Scharff was able to recognize the basic humanity behind each pilot who came across and would extend even the smallest bits of kindest such as telegraphing the pilots' capture so that his family at home would know he was still alive. Eventually the war comes to and end and while Scharff suffers some brief time as a POW (an entirely harrowing account that opens doors to another fascinating area of American bad behavior), he eventually emigrates to the U.S.
While a lot of pilots remembered Scharff for his warmth and fair treatment, I couldn't help but wonder if this is something that is unique to his particular subset of servicemen whom were all highly educated. He was a businessman who spoke fluent English and had been drafted. Most of the pilots he came across were at least college educated. Aerial combat is also less personal than ground fighting. Consequentially it became a little easier to see this humanity when coming face to face with the enemy. Naturally not everyone in this position would act this way and even Scharff comes across some bad apples but I couldn't help but wonder at these circumstances paved the way for this type of situation. Nonetheless I certainly wouldn't take this away from the credit Scharff exhibited as a master interrogator and noble individual in his treatment of prisoners. Truly a unique piece of human history from the annals of WW2.
And I did learn some tiny tidbits of what I thought might be good material for a "good cop" routine in my work.
March 10, 2019
This is an interesting history book that touches on some aspects of psychology. If you want a psychology book delving into advanced interrogation techniques, a lot of it will be disapointingly dry. However, if you just want the psychology then I still recommend reading chapter 5 (Wits as Weapons) and chapter 8 (To Err is Human).
Chapter 5 is Scharff's narrative about how he went about his process, fictionalized so as to not embarass any of the men who gave up information without realizing it. Chapter 8 details one case where he was trying to elicit information from a group of American fighter pilots accused of gunning down civilians. This one is pretty exciting, as Scharff tells about his calculations in dealing with the men individually, in a group, and then how to prevent them from being executed by a Gestapo officer who had already decided their guilt.
Recommended for anyone interested in interview/interrogation techniques, military intelligence, WWII history, and anyone who still seriously thinks it is a good idea to torture people for information.
Chapter 5 is Scharff's narrative about how he went about his process, fictionalized so as to not embarass any of the men who gave up information without realizing it. Chapter 8 details one case where he was trying to elicit information from a group of American fighter pilots accused of gunning down civilians. This one is pretty exciting, as Scharff tells about his calculations in dealing with the men individually, in a group, and then how to prevent them from being executed by a Gestapo officer who had already decided their guilt.
Recommended for anyone interested in interview/interrogation techniques, military intelligence, WWII history, and anyone who still seriously thinks it is a good idea to torture people for information.
August 19, 2019
Toliver offers a classic account of how to conduct interrogations through rapport and decent treatment. As an interrogator, Scharff knew the details about his subjects, treated them decently, and used round-about techniques to get critical information. People who believe that torture or enhanced interrogations have a place in any society face the challenge of showing how those methods provide better information than Scharff's.
Overall, this book is a series of interesting and entertaining anecdotes about Scharff's interrogation of American pilots. However, the lessons for those interested in interrogation are powerful and this book should be considered by anybody interested in either interrogations or a less-covered aspect of World War II history.
It would have been interesting for Toliver to have taken the opportunity to compare Scharff's interrogation techniques to those of the allies, or of general interrogation practices. However, this comparison is left to the reader.
Overall, this book is a series of interesting and entertaining anecdotes about Scharff's interrogation of American pilots. However, the lessons for those interested in interrogation are powerful and this book should be considered by anybody interested in either interrogations or a less-covered aspect of World War II history.
It would have been interesting for Toliver to have taken the opportunity to compare Scharff's interrogation techniques to those of the allies, or of general interrogation practices. However, this comparison is left to the reader.
February 6, 2018
Hanns Scharff tells us the story from his perspective as an interrogator, unable to rise above the rank of sergeant due to his political convictions. He gives us his view of the carefree, irresponsible American boys who found themselves suddenly at war. He also gives us a look at the average German soldier, disgusted with their Government but loyal to the death to their country. Sound familiar, anyone?
This is a must-read for anyone who wants to know the truth of what actually happened. We are still being fed propaganda about how wonderful and righteous we were, when in actuality, we committed so many war crimes and injustices it makes me want to weep in shame.
This is a must-read for anyone who wants to know the truth of what actually happened. We are still being fed propaganda about how wonderful and righteous we were, when in actuality, we committed so many war crimes and injustices it makes me want to weep in shame.
October 19, 2022
I could not put this book down. It is an absolutely fascinating account of both the man and his gentle approach to gleaning information from captured WWII pilots.
It was alarming to learn how much background information the Luftwaffe had about our pilots and their units before they were even captured.
It was alarming to learn how much background information the Luftwaffe had about our pilots and their units before they were even captured.
October 27, 2019
Fascinating look at an interrogator who developed such relationships with prisoners that they gladly developed post war relationships. Also struck by this slice of an evil genocidal war machine that displayed a modicum honor/camaraderie with its enemies
July 17, 2024
Scharff’s story is such a fascinating one. It’s a shame that it’s telling is mishandled by Toliver, whose jumbled writing style made it very unclear whether it was he or Scharff that was doing the talking.
June 23, 2025
This had the potential to be really interesting. And I guess it was, in there somewhere. But it could have used a writing partner or an editor to make it more readable. It got bogged down in details that might be good for an historical record but made it tough to get through.
June 14, 2021
An amazing story about a very talented person in difficult circumstances. His techniques are timeless.
Read
March 28, 2022Great read
Fantastic story. Great read on the smart nature of man, even in war. No brutality and he dot his job done.
Fantastic story. Great read on the smart nature of man, even in war. No brutality and he dot his job done.
December 17, 2024
Some interesting stories, for sure, but it all felt a bit disjointed and in need of an editor.
Basically the interrogator used loads of little, seemingly insignificant fragments of information to get more out of people
Basically the interrogator used loads of little, seemingly insignificant fragments of information to get more out of people
February 8, 2025
This is not the usual Nazi get information at any cost story. It proves that you can get more bees with sugar than you can vinegar. It also shows a side of the US POW camps in Germany that I wasn't aware of or had heard anything about.
March 13, 2022
This could have been an amazing story but the telling was not put together well at all. It needed a master writer and editor. I was disappointed.
January 24, 2013
Absolutely fascinating story! Worth the read!
August 9, 2014
Interesting content, but quite a lot of editing errors. For example, every other instance of the pronoun "us" is written as U.S.
September 18, 2016
One of my favorite books of the year. It was like listening to a very well told story by your Grandfather who was actually there... This book will be staying on my shelf to revisit in the future.
June 15, 2007
Absolutely loved this book. I read it over about 3 days. Fascinating.
September 5, 2010
This should be a must read for all military interrogators. I wish I would have read it sooner.
January 31, 2011
must read for any professional in the field.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews