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The Plots to Kill Hitler: The Men and Women Who Tried to Change History

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From 1919 onwards, there were many people who wanted to kill Hitler. But when he became Chancellor of Germany in 1933, the desire became more urgent. After all, what do you do when the leader of your country has destroyed all political freedoms, annexed all power and is leading all of its people towards destruction? This is a story of all the plots against Hitler, of secret meetings in freezing fields, of bombs in briefcases, of conspiracies against the life of the Fuhrer, with a cast-list of soldiers, senior politicians, members of the resistance, schoolteachers, theologians, and even a humble carpenter. In all, there were more than 32 attempts against Adolf Hitler's life and this book documents every doomed effort to dismantle the Nazi machine by striking off its head.

192 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2019

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Richard Dargie

57 books6 followers

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5 stars
21 (19%)
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28 (25%)
3 stars
49 (45%)
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10 (9%)
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
Profile Image for Beata .
903 reviews1,385 followers
November 23, 2019
I found this book informative as it presents a comprehensive collection of attempst on Hitler's life, a collection written to be read not by a scholar but by readers simply interested in the topic. Some attempts were aborted before they were carried out, and some most known were carried out, however, as we know, they failed to meet the target. The Author mentions individuals from all walks of life, who tried to kill Hitler on their own, as well as the groups of conspitators, who also failed and who, in most cases paid the highest price for the wish to rid Germany of the dictator.
I highly recommend this title as it is written for an average reader, not necessarily with extensive background knowledge. Mr Dargie describes the political and social aspects of the moment when each plot was conceived, which is helpful to understand each particular assassination attempt.
*Many thanks to Richard Dargie, Arcturus Publishing and NetGalley for arc in exchange for my honest review.*
481 reviews8 followers
December 10, 2023
An intriguing listen which felt rather long in places. Was very detailed and gave lots of information and attempts I had no heard of this. Factual I found this intriguing and a vompelling listen. The audio was of high quality. For me personally although i appreciate it is hard to be emotionitive with factual information ifound tone very monotone. I appreciate that may be due to the subject matter but i did tarnish my listening experience. I would recommended this to antone after a drtailed factual account of all known attempts on hotler. I found the detailed info very useful so its a solid 4 star liste.n. Thanks to netgallery and publisher and narrator for m arc
Profile Image for Ebb.
480 reviews25 followers
September 16, 2019
A fascinating look at the various plots to assassinate Hitler. Going into this book, I was only familiar with one of the assassination attempts on Hitler so I was interested to find out how many there had actually been (or that we can know of). The book is filled with incredible close calls that Hitler had with death and you follow the men and women who risked their lives to try to stop him. The book was well-researched and it was fascinating to learn about all the resistance to Hitler from both outside and inside the Nazi government. I think this book would be a great read for anyone interested in World War II and the resistance to Hitler.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Bookworm86 .
1,973 reviews137 followers
October 12, 2019
Review for 'The Plots to kill Hitler' by Richard Dargie

Although I thought this book was very well researched and I was shocked to discover how many people risked and lost their lives in their attempts to assassinate Hitler I found myself rereading several pages as they weren't sinking in so unfortunately I didn't manage to finish it.
Profile Image for Janalyn, the blind reviewer.
4,610 reviews140 followers
November 19, 2023
Killing Hitler should’ve been an easy task he thought he was invincible and was being kept safe by the powers that be because he had a bigger purpose he came to this conclusion after A battle that included the 400 men and his company in World War I only 70 survived and it makes me wonder whatever happened to the other 69? In any event he would go on to re-Kavic in the world and many people would try and stop it from feeble attempts like poison letters to more legitimate undertakings like a suitcase bomb and many more. This is a great book that eny history fan would love like a lot of history books these days it is it written in academic terms but more conversational and it totally makes for much better reading from those that tried to kill Hitler to those that conspired to do it I found these stories interesting and I’m so glad I listen to this audiobook it was narrated by Matt Gordon who I thought did an awesome job there are many things in this book that are surprising in this book did something I love when books do and that is teach me things I didn’t know already. Richard Darby write some really great books and The Plots To Kill Hitler is definitely a great story and a definite five star audiobook. I want to think the author the publisher and net Gali for my free arc copy please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.
Profile Image for Darcy Cudmore.
243 reviews1 follower
May 8, 2021
An informative read on the attempted plots to kill Hitler.

I enjoyed it and certainly learned a lot. It’s a great book for someone who is not overly informed and wants to begin to learn more about WW2 and beyond.

If only one of these attempted plots were a success...
55 reviews38 followers
October 2, 2019

If you were creating a list of the most hated figures from history, it's safe to say that you'd probably put Adolf Hitler at the top of the list. Responsible for spearheading some of the greatest atrocities that mankind has ever committed and steering the world into war, Hitler's shadow still hangs over the planet to this day, and I suspect it'll be a long time until that fades.

Despite the hatred for Hitler, I feel like I've only ever heard about a few attempts on his life, most notably Operation Valkyrie / 20th July plot (made into the surprisingly good film of the same name). I was surprised, therefore, to find an entire book focusing on the plots to kill Hitler - how much could those few occasions I was aware of be dragged out into a full book?

As it turns out, there were a huge amount of plots in the works to kill Hitler, from forces within the government, army colonels, foreign agents and everyday Germans themselves. These stories, many of which have been woefully neglected, are the basis of this book, and it makes for a fantastic, if often unbelievable read. It's a rip-roaring chronological tour through many examples of the plots against Hitler, combining biographies of the would-be-assassins, an interesting look at the historical context of the time and a real flair for storytelling.

What really stands out from this book is the sheer amount of luck that Hitler had on his side. The amount of seemingly minor decisions, changes of plan and delays that separated Hitler from an early grave are insane. Whether it was a staffer, regularly in contact with Hitler, who was barred from the room owing to his rank on the day he'd decided to assassinate Hitler, the bomb which froze during a flight and therefore didn't detonate as planned, or a speech cut short by train schedules which meant that a bomb detonated just moments after Hitler left. Hitler, in a typically megalomaniacal way, attributed this to the fact that he had a 'destiny' or a 'purpose' and wouldn't be harmed until he was able to bring this to fruition.

Owing to the various amount of historical documentation available, the stories do vary between incredibly detailed and really quite sparse. Some of the characters introduced have great backstories and biographies, with detail on their careers, motivations and the plots themselves, whereas others only receive a paragraph or two on the entire tale. This is likely as much to do with the sources available, but it does leave the pacing a little disjointed at times.

One of the most interesting elements of the book is the way that the author touches on the ways that plots to assassinate Hitler were variously exaggerated or covered up by various players. For instance, many who had fled the Third Reich, upon arriving in the UK or US, found themselves in desperate need of money, and what better way to make some money than writing a shocking 'real-world' tale of the time you were involved in a plot to try and assassinate the Fuhrer. Similarly, the Nazi leadership were sometimes keen to exaggerate plots in order to create more mystique or 'righteousness' around Hitler and his mythos. Whether these were made up or simply exaggerated, it's an interesting wrinkle that has to be considered when thinking about these plots and just how close they all came to succeeding.

I fear that my favourite story from the book falls afoul of this very issue. It's the tale of an SA officer who, deciding to assassinate Hitler, decided to wait in the wilderness beside the as-yet-unpaved road into his mountain retreat, armed with a gun that he'd use to take out the Fuhrer as he returned to the premises. The author does a brilliant job of building up the tension, and the moment that the car draws near, the assassin spots the tell-tale moustache of the Fuhrer in the back of the car, steps forward and shoots him dead. It's only as the car continues to speed away that the shooter realises it's not Hitler in the back. Hitler's actually driving the car, having offered to drive the return journey when his chauffeur fell ill, leaving the poor driver to be shot dead in his place. The tale sounds absolutely unbelievable, and the author does raise the fact this it could be exaggerated (as it was told in a very commercially successful memoir), but it's a gripping story nonetheless, and just one of many in the book.

In conclusion, then, this is interesting but very readable commercial history done right. It's a powerful hook used to give insight into a much wider subject, and, at least for this reviewer, gives a whole new perspective on a well-trodden area of history that could've easily fallen into the trap of being just another World War 2 history tome. As it is, though it might be a little light for avid history-lovers, it's a riproaring tour through the remarkable luck of Hitler and a reminder of the many tiny ways that history could've been changed forever with the slightest tweak.
Profile Image for Mike.
390 reviews24 followers
September 1, 2022
I found the first half of the book interesting but then I got bored to the point it felt like a chore finishing it.The biggest problem I had with this book was that there were so many abbreviations in it that most of the time you forget what they even stand for.
70 reviews36 followers
November 20, 2019
The Plots to Kill Hitler: The Men and Women Who Tried to Change History
by
Richard Dargie

3 Stars

The Plots to kill Hitler is an interesting and enjoyable survey of the many attempts that were made on the Nazi leader’s life during the course of his rule. Some of them are well documented, like von Stauffenberg’s Operation Valkyrie bombing. Many others are not well known. While the book doesn’t discuss any of these in great detail (and more detail would have led me to give the book a higher grade), just gathering them all in one place is informative. There were many individuals who were willing to risk their lives to end Hitler’s. Unfortunately, none of them succeeded.
Profile Image for David Stuckey.
14 reviews12 followers
March 8, 2021
This popular history is a very accessible account of the period from about 1916 to 1945 of the times when Adolf Hitler came close to being killed, both on the battlefield and in his political career; To be brutally honest, if this had been presented as a fictional account with the names changed, most would dismiss it as ludicrous with Hitler as the ultimate "Mary Sue" character - unkillable, always escaping by hair's breadths and in almost impossibly contrived manners. And yet it is all factually correct, even though the author simplifies many of the backgrounds of person in the book it is all true to life; One begins to comprehend the mindset of Hitler insofar as his belief in a personal destiny and a charmed life. It tells also of the nature of those historical figures around him at the same time, German and otherwise, and gives a thumbnail portrait of people supporting and opposing him for various reasons - And those supposedly his allies who had in fact strong doubts and even strong opposition to him in private. Readers might be astounded to learn that the major parts of "Operation Valkyrie" were set up by Hitler's people in case of Hitler being injured or killed by military action, rather than as a pure coup of the so-called "Zossen faction" in the Wehrmacht. . . . And be surprised to learn that the Wehrmacht was not a united force alongside the Nazis as many would like to think, it being so much easier to paint the whole of a people with the same brush. Indeed, there are those who will hate this book a it reveals what historians with solid insight have known; That there were shades of grey even among Hitless opponents, such as the English politician Lord Halifax, who gave Hitler his due as it were over many points of politics and clearly would have welcomed a negotiated peace.
If this book has any failing, it is probably a lack of references to outside sources for verification, and in some ways a rushed description of some of the more interesting notes in this story - The main thrust of the first "putsch" which removed many loyal though openly gay Nazis from the party, for instance - which receives little attention outside scholarly tomes elsewhere as well. Too, the subtitle is misleading in that while there where a great many women who opposed the Nazi leader, almost none were prepared to take direct action, except perhaps for one group which was taken apart by what even the most fervent anti-Nazi has to admire as a brilliant counter -insurgency operation ( Perhaps one of the few triumphs in the generally better luck than good management protection of "Der Furher" from assassinations )
That last aside, I recommend this work to anyone with at least a passing interest in the Second World War above a technical one.
Profile Image for Peter Fleming.
468 reviews6 followers
November 26, 2025
To establish every attempt at his life is an impossible task, but this is a comprehensive effort, ranging from now well-known plots, like Operation Valkyrie to others that were little more than plan. To establish every pot shot at his moving vehicle would be impossible and at what point does an idea become a realistic plan.

The early attempts, those in the 1920s, were little more than pot shots at an upstart politician. Defeat in World War I left an enormous power vacuum in Germany, with political struggles backed up with violence, frequently lethal. In the first four post war years there were over 350 political murders. Here the author manages to capture a sense of the chaos and extremism of the period, leading to the Beer Hall Putsche, which was to thrust Hitler into the limelight, bringing fame and then ultimately infamy.

From this point on the attempts become more sophisticated, leading to the plots that are more familiar. Operation Valkyrie, the various Operation Spark attempts and the Bürgerbräukeller plot are well summarised but herein lies the inherent problem of the book. In going for great breadth of attempts it cannot devote much space for the major plots, so remember this is more of an overview, a catalyst to read further about plots that capture the imagination. There is no shortage of books that cover these in depth.

As well as the attempts at his life, the book takes a fascinating look at Hitler’s temperament and how he managed to escape them, there being so many. During WWI he was a runner, taking messages back and forth along the German trenches, escaping death on several occasions before being wounded. Having a narcissistic personality, he began to believe he was being preserved for a purpose, a feeling enhanced by each near miss, building on a myth of invincibility. When campaigning for political power, in an adrenalin fuelled race, he frantically criss-crossed Germany by plane and fast car, to speak to people in their thousands. Here, the author makes a convincing case for his deluded state.

The narration surprised me a little, it was lighter than I was expecting and included some curious pronunciations. It worked well enough and on reflection was probably better than a dour voice with more gravitas.
Profile Image for Rachel.
Author 7 books2 followers
February 28, 2021
As with most books that focus on a collection of stories from a larger event, there are events and people that aren't fully explained because the author assumes you know the "big picture." This does cause portions of the book to be slightly confusing.

But, since this is to be expected, my only real complaint is with the chapter "Women Against Hitler." This book is called The Plots to Kill Hitler. So the assumption is that the chapter on "Women Against Hitler" will be about women attempting to kill Hitler. But that is not the case. It seems that, for the sake of inclusion, the author felt it necessary to add a chapter on women but since none of these women plotted or attempted to kill Hitler, the chapter is entirely out of place in the book. I am fully aware that women played a large part in World War II. But if women did not play a part in the portion of history being discussed, it's more insulting to include a pity chapter that has nothing to do with the topic than to just leave us out altogether.

Overall it was an interesting book full of unique stories and facts that I had never heard before.
Profile Image for Glaucio Oliveira.
20 reviews
July 26, 2023
Aspectos históricos interessantes pouco lembrados da WW2

Só tirei um ponto da nota, porque é mal traduzido e a capitulação é extremamente mal feita, mas o conteúdo é muito interessante o que acaba instigando a seguir até o final.

Gosto desses aspectos históricos pouco lembrados de eventos importantes (nesse caso, Segunda Guerra Mundial).

Não tinha ideia de que o Hitler tinha sofrido tantas tentativas de assassinato durante seu regime. Dava pra fazer uns 10 filmes só em cima do que é narrado nesse livro. Mais pro final do regime a maioria das tentativas de matá-lo eram de dentro do próprio exército. A única organização que se manteve fiel foi a SS, que era na verdade paramilitar. Porque fora dela teve militar querendo matá-lo, teve civil, teve estrangeiro. Uma pena não terem sido bem-sucedidos.
682 reviews9 followers
January 8, 2021
THE PLOTS TO KILL HITLER:THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO TRIED TO CHANGE HISTORY BY RICHARD DARGIE, profiles the people, who from 1900s on who tried and failed to assassinate one of the most horrific political monsters of all time: Adolph Hitler. From beer hall brawls and gunfights to the point of Hitlers suicide,may men and women tried their best to murder him and failed. Was Hitler just lucky or did he have a dark angel on his shoulder looking out for him or were these men and women just poor shots or horrific poisoners?
Profile Image for Naomi's Bookshelf.
153 reviews75 followers
November 27, 2019
I find this content fascinating! I really loved reading about all the different people that stepped up and tried to change the course of history. Each chapter follows a different person and the steps they took. This was a great and interesting read!

I received a copy via Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Tim.
99 reviews
August 14, 2022
A little informative book that adds extra detail on some of the plots that took place.
Profile Image for Holly Reynolds.
493 reviews14 followers
January 2, 2024
This book was interesting and informative.

I learned many new facts and re-learned some which had been forgotten from learning them in school.

64 reviews
May 3, 2025
interesting concept but slightly muddled execution. could have done with more editing, and there's a whiff of clean Wehrmacht in some parts.
Profile Image for Hellena.
207 reviews11 followers
July 24, 2021
Az értékelés olvasható a blogomon:
https://thedeathgoddess.blogspot.com/...

Ez a könyv első ránézésre felkeltette az érdeklődésemet; sokféle írás kering a Harmadik Birodalomról, de még nem láttam, hogy ezt a témát bárki érintette volna. Egyértelmű, hogy aki hatalmon van, annak vannak rosszakarói, ellenségei, akik a halálát kívánják. Nem meglepő az sem, hogy Hitler esetében a szélsőséges eszmék miatt az ilyen emberek száma sokszorosa is lehet annak, amit egy átlagos politikusnál lehet tapasztalni. Ez már önmagában figyelemreméltó, ennél csak az lehet érdekesebb, hogy milyen módszerekkel próbálkoztak eltenni őt láb alól. Egy cseppet viszont tartottam attól, hogy egy nagy adathalmazt kapok, nevekkel, helyszínekkel és évszámokkal.

Abszolút pozitívan csalódtam. Mivel tényirodalom, nyilvánvalóan nem nélkülözhetők az adatok, amelyek a hitelességet szolgálják, de nem ezeken volt a hangsúly. Kronológiai sorrendben haladva tárulnak elénk a különböző helyzetek, amelyekben Hitler meggyilkolását tervezték. Amennyit csak lehet, megtudunk a körülményekről is: mind a Harmadik Birodalomban uralkodó állapotokról, mind a merénylő előéletéről is elegendő információt kapunk ahhoz, hogy megértsük, mi miért úgy történt, ahogy.

Mindezt rendkívül olvasmányos formában prezentálják. A nyelvezet történelemben kevéssé jártasak számára is érthető, illetve a további megértést segítik a lábjegyzetek, és külön örültem a képeknek is. Ezek még többet segítettek abban, hogy magam előtt lássak mindent, amiről olvasok. Mintha csak ott lettem volna.

Elképesztő, és bizonyos esetekben valóban komikus, hogy min múlott egy-egy merénylet sikeressége – az időjáráson vagy éppen a természet hívó szaván. Egy biztos: egy bizonyos őrangyalnak igencsak sok dolga volt, csodálom, hogy nem fáradt el.

Kifejezetten jól esett most a sok kitalált borzalom után valódiról olvasni és sok új információval gazdagodtam, ami mindig hasznos. Szívesen olvasnék hasonlót más diktátorokról is.
Profile Image for Gayle (OutsmartYourShelf).
2,155 reviews41 followers
November 24, 2019
A look at some of the lesser known people who attempted to bring an early end to the Second World War by assassinating Hitler. It was an interesting and informative read - I had no idea there were so many amongst Hitler's own ranks that dissented. Some of the plots were more abstract thoughts than concrete plans, whilst others were given away by poor planning or careless talk, or simply foiled by Hitler's habit of changing his plans at the last moment. One can only wonder how things would now be if one of them had succeeded. 4 stars.

Thanks to NetGalley and publishers, Arcturus Publishing, for the opportunity to read an ARC.
Profile Image for Jim.
1,190 reviews
January 1, 2020
This was a decent retelling of the various plots to assassinate Hitler, and the repercussions of those plots. Nothing new here, you can find all of this info in other books, but i still think it's worth reading. It's a quick read, and shows that there were plenty of people in Germany (including the German army) who thought Hitler needed to be removed from power.
Profile Image for Tina Milledge.
507 reviews39 followers
December 4, 2023
This audiobook gave a very compelling insight into Hitler, his life before and during the war, and the many attempts made by his enemies to take his life. The audiobook is well narrated too. My thanks to NetGalley and publisher for granting me a digital copy to review. I would recommend to anyone interested in WW2.
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