Operation Morthor: The Death of Dag Hammarskjöld and the Last Great Mystery of the Cold War

by Ravi Somaiya

LONGLISTED FOR THE ALCS GOLD DAGGER FOR NON-FICTION'One of the mysteries I've long been fascinated by, and I am so grateful that Ravi Somaiya has cracked it open so brilliantly' David Grann, author of Killers of the Flower MoonA PLANE CRASH IN THE JUNGLE.A LEGENDARY STATESMAN DEAD.A TRAGIC ACCIDENT... OR THE ULTIMATE CONSPIRACY?In 1961, a Douglas DC-6B aeroplane transporting the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Dag Hammarskjöld, disappeared over the Congolese jungle at the height of the Cold War. Soon afterward, Hammarskjöld was discovered in the smoking wreckage, an Ace of Spades playing card placed on his body. He had been heralded as the Congo's best hope for peace and independence. Now he was dead.The circumstances of that night have remained one of the Cold War's most tightly guarded secrets for decades. Now, with exclusive evidence, investigative journalist Ravi Somaiya finally uncovers the truth, with dark implications for governments and corporations alike.

Genres: History

ebook

Published August 6, 2020

Reviews

[Ben Bergonzi · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fine explanation of the immensely complicated and murky story of the suspicious plane crash in which Dag Hammarskjold, General Secretary of the United Nations, lost his life in 1961. The story of the Patrice Lumumba's disastrous attempt as the first president of independent Congo, his murder winked at (if nothing more) by the CIA and MI6 is a presage to what happened to Hammarskjold, as the secession of Katanga from the Congo turned out to be too profitable - to European companies - and too much of a bulwark against the Russians - the CIA & MI6 - to be peacefully negotiated away. Lists of characters, maps and illustrations clarify the story which this relatively short book makes admirably clear, with just occasional areas where 'cause and effect' seem not to be totally logical. Still, warmly recommended.

[Rosa Olmedo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Learnt a lot about the Kongo. (Not) spoiler: Leopold II was brutal with its people